Application of a suspension (log 8.0/ml) of Cryptococcus laurentii prior to harvest led to a reduction in
Botrytis cinerea decay of strawberries stored at 4 or 20 C, for 12 or 4 days, respectively. The frequency
of spraying antagonist significantly influenced disease incidence in strawberry fruit. The best inhibition
of disease was achieved when fruit sprayed C. laurentii with three applications that began 6 days prior to
harvest, and the incidence of gray mold and natural decay treated with this method was 21% and 11%,
compared with 88% and 62% in the control after storage at 20 C for 4 days. A similar result occurred
in the treated fruit after storage at 4 C for 12 days. Dilation plate counts on Rose Bengal agar and scanning
electron microscopy results showed that three applications with C. laurentii at 6, 3 and 0 days before
harvest improved its ability to colonize the epidermis of strawberry fruit in the greenhouse and during
storage compared to single application. In addition, antagonistic yeast spraying before harvest could
reduce the weight loss, delay the decrease of the firmness and ascorbic acid, but had no significant effect
on the contents of soluble solids, titratable acidity and fruit surface color. These results suggested that
preharvest spraying with C. laurentii might be a promising alternative to fungicide application for decay
control of strawberry.