Effect of Application of Epiphytic Yeast Meyerozyma guilliermondii SQUCC-33Y and Tamarindus indica Leaf Extract on Alternaria alternata-induced Post-harvest Black Mold Rot of Tomato Fruits

Authors

Samiya Saleh Al-Maawali, Department of Plant Sciences, College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 34, Al-Khoud, Muscat 123, Sultanate of OmanFollow
Abdullah Mohammed Al-Sadi, Department of Plant Sciences, College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 34, Al-Khoud, Muscat 123, Sultanate of Oman
Zahra Al-Kharousi, Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 34, Al-Khoud, Muscat 123, Sultanate of Oman
Rahil Said Al-Badi, Department of Plant Sciences, College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 34, Al-Khoud, Muscat 123, Sultanate of Oman
Issa Hashil Al-Mahmooli, Department of Plant Sciences, College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 34, Al-Khoud, Muscat 123, Sultanate of Oman
Rethinasamy Velazhahan, Department of Plant Sciences, College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 34, Al-Khoud, Muscat 123, Sultanate of OmanFollow

Abstract

Black mold rot of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum Mill) fruits, incited by Alternaria alternata, is a major constraint in tomato production worldwide. The fungus invades unripe fruits in the field, remains dormant and then cause symptoms as the fruits begin to ripe. In this study, the effectiveness of the antagonistic yeast Meyerozyma guilliermondii SQUCC-33Y and Tamarindus indica leaf extract was assessed for controlling post-harvest black mold fruit rot of tomato. Greenhouse and field tests revealed that pre-harvest application of M. guilliermondii at weekly intervals starting from fruit set to harvest stage significantly reduced the development of post-harvest fruit rot when challenge-inoculated with A. alternata. T. indica extract had no significant (P > 0.05) effect on post-harvest fruit rot development. M. guilliermondii significantly (P > 0.05) increased the total soluble solids of tomato fruits compared with control. However, no significant effect of M. guilliermondii on the levels of lycopene and titratable acidity of tomato fruits was observed. This study suggests that the tested yeast, M. guilliermondii SQUCC-33Y may be exploited as a biocontrol agent in the field for the management of post-harvest black mold rot of tomato fruits.

Recommended Citation

Al-Maawali, Samiya Saleh; Al-Sadi, Abdullah Mohammed; Al-Kharousi, Zahra; Al-Badi, Rahil Said; Al-Mahmooli, Issa Hashil; and Velazhahan, Rethinasamy (2025) "Effect of Application of Epiphytic Yeast Meyerozyma guilliermondii SQUCC-33Y and Tamarindus indica Leaf Extract on Alternaria alternata-induced Post-harvest Black Mold Rot of Tomato Fruits," Journal of Agricultural and Marine Sciences: Vol. 30: Iss. 1, Article 1.
https://doi.org/10.53541/2410-1079.1341
Available at: https://jams.squ.edu.om/home/vol30/iss1/1