Impact of climate change environmental conditions on the resilience of different formulations of the biocontrol agent Candida sake CPA-1 on grapes

Biocontrol agents have become components of integrated crop protection systems for controlling economically important fungal pathogens. Candida sake CPA-1 is a biocontrol agent of fungal pathogens of fruits, both pre- and post-harvest. While the efficacy of different formulations have been examined previously, few studies have considered the resilience of different formulations under changing climatic conditions of elevated temperature, drought stress and increased atmospheric CO₂ . This study examined the effect of (a) temperature × RH × elevated CO₂ (400 vs 1000 ppm) on the temporal establishment and viability of two dry and one liquid C. sake CPA-1 formulations on grape berry surfaces; (b) temperature stress (25 vs 35°C); and (c) elevated CO₂ levels. Results indicated that temperature, RH and CO₂ concentration influenced the establishment and viability of the formulations but there was no significant difference between formulations. For the combined three-component factors, increased temperature (35°C) and lower RH (40%) reduced the viable populations on grapes. The interaction with elevated CO₂ improved the establishment of viable populations of the formulations tested. Viable populations greater than Log 4 CFUs per g were recovered from the grape surfaces suggesting that these had conserved resilience for control of Botrytis rot in grapes.

Significance and impact of the study: The interaction between environmental factors that are expected to occur in response to climate change (CC) will have a significant impact on food security and availability. Little information exists on how elevated temperature, drought stress and increased CO₂ will have on the efficacy of biocontrol agents. The impact of these factors on the viability of different formulations of the biocontrol yeast Candida sake on the surface of grapes berries was evaluated for the first time. Such knowledge is critical for projecting the efficacy of biocontrol under climate change conditions and to identify formulations that have the necessary resilience to perform under CC conditions.