Control of Postharvest Brown Rot ( <i>Monilinia laxa</i> ) Disease Through Copper Sulfate and Antagonistic Bacterial Combinations

Abstract

ABSTRACT Brown rot, caused by Monilinia laxa , severely affects stone fruit storage, prompting the search for eco‐friendly control alternatives. This study evaluated the effectiveness of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (B10W10) and Pseudomonas sp. (B11W11), alone or combined with copper(II) sulfate, in controlling M. laxa infections postharvest. In vitro trials revealed significant fungal inhibition (17.50%–93.98%) with copper(II) sulfate and bacterial combinations. In vivo tests on nectarines showed reduced disease severity (5.74%–63.39%) after 5 days at 22°C, with 2% copper(II) sulfate plus B. amyloliquefaciens (B10W10) proving most effective. ATR‐FTIR spectroscopy confirmed biochemical changes in fungal biomass and nectarines. These findings support copper(II) sulfate, particularly in combination with B. amyloliquefaciens , as a practical alternative to conventional fungicides.