The cells of antagonist P. guilliermondii M8 were diluted in 50 L
tank into a final concentration of 108 cells ml1. Apples weretreated with the antagonist suspension (108 cells ml1) by dipping
in tank for 1 min. Fruit surfaces were allowed to air dry at 25 C for
3 h. Fruits treated with a fungicide solution were used as a chemical
control: 30 L of thiabendazole (Tecto 20 S, Elf Atochem Agri
Italy, 19.7% a.i., 30 g a.i. 100 l1) were used for dipping the fruits.
Fruits treated with distilled water served as uninoculated controls.
Three replicates of 50 fruits were prepared for each treatment. Apples
were then stored at 1 C and 95% relative humidity (RH) in
storage chambers. After 120 days of storage, the percentage of rotten
apples was recorded. The experiment was repeated twice.