Field testing of a newly formulated product based on Meyerozyma guilliermondii LMA-Cp01 to manage anthracnose in mango fruit

The microencapsulated yeast Meyerozyma guilliermondii LMA-Cp01 has previously shown high efficacy under laboratory tests against mango anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Infection by C. gloeosporioides occurs in the field; therefore, it could be advantageous to apply the formulation at preharvest, which would reduce initial infection and control the pathogens. This work aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of free and two doses of microencapsulated M. guilliermondii applied in preharvest (four applications between early flowering and harvest) and one in postharvest to control mango anthracnose in two grown seasons. Besides, the effect of the treatments on quality parameters of mango fruit was also analyzed, as well as the quantification of the antagonist populations after its application on flowers and fruit. Preharvest applications of free and encapsulated M. guilliermondii significantly reduced anthracnose incidence and severity on fruit. M. guilliermondii microcapsules at 10⁷ CFU mL⁻¹ was as effective as fresh cells at 10⁸ CFU mL⁻¹. In orchard two, both doses of microcapsules were more effective than free cells and Captan, and no statistical differences between microcapsules and Benomyl were observed. The postharvest application was less effective in controlling mango anthracnose than preharvest. Under field conditions, LMA-Cp01 populations were higher on flowers and fruit treated with microencapsulated yeast than the free cells. Efficacy of M. guilliermondii was not improved by postharvest applications. Treatments did not adversely affect the quality parameters of mango. Microencapsulated M. guilliermondii LMA-Cp01 is a promising formulation to manage mango anthracnose through preharvest treatments.