FIELD TRAIL FOR THE COMPETITIVE SUPPRESSION OF ASPERGILLUS FLAVUS ON PISTACHIO NUTS BY A BIOLOGICAL YEAST IN THE ORCHARD

This proposal is a continuation of a project funded in 2003 to test the field efficacy of a biocontrol yeast for control of Aspergillus flavus. Three questions need to be answered. 1) Are the yeasts durable enough to survive field conditions, 2) is the applied yeast phytotoxic (eg. does it adversely impact nut production, shape etc. and 3) will the yeasts be effective at inhibiting the growth of A. flavus in the field and at what concentration.