Antagonistic interactions among bacteria inhabiting pineapple

Pineapple is the second most important tropical fruit in international trade and Mexico ranks ninth in world production. Pink disease is asymptomatic in the field and is characterized by the production of dark discoloration (amber-reddish brown) and its initial effects are not recognized until the fruits are cored and canned. Hence pink disease is considered a major problem in the pineapple canning industry. Four hundred and eighty isolates of pineapple were tested for antagonistic activity vs. Tatumella, causal agent of pink disease, and strain UAPS07070 was selected for further assays. Population dynamics were explored in co-inoculation in vitro and in planta with strain UAPS07070 and T. ptyseos UAPS07007. The population of UAPS07007, the producer strain of the disease severely declined in comparison with the controls. This work contributes to the knowledge of the ecology of pink disease in pineapple, as well as to the comprehension of the interactions between microorganisms colonizing the habitat of the plant. (c) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.