Muscodor Albus & Apple Trees

How It Works

• Muscodor albus Strain QST 20799 is a naturally occurring endophytic fungus found in the bark of cinnamon trees in Honduras. The fungus grows as a white, sterile mycelium and does not produce spores. When hydrated, the fungus produces Volatile Organic Chemicals including alcohols, esters and acids. The VOCs kill nematodes and several plant pathogens, such as botrytis, colletotrichum, geotrichum, monilinia, penicillium and rhizopus. Muscodor albus also kills blue mold of apples. Growers fumigate the apples post-harvest rather than while the fruit is on the tree.

Risks Associated With Muscodor Albus

• Biopesticides are regulated by the EPA, which studies the product for risk to human health or the environment. In addition, the agency rates a substance's toxicity and how much of it comes into contact with people. The EPA determined that Muscodor albus is not toxic and does not contaminate the food it treats. Since Muscodor albus dies off when its food supply disappears, it does not infect the environment. The volatile organic compounds released by the fungus dissipate quickly and are not absorbed the apples. Animals and nontarget insects suffer no ill effects from Muscodor albus, according to the EPA's assessment results.

Products

• The end-use products made from Muscodor albus control post-harvest decay of apples and other food crops, according to the product's registration technical document available on the EPA website. Application rates range from 0.5 to 2 oz. per cubic foot inside an enclosed container, according to the document.

Uses

• Muscodor albus is used by apple growers needing to store the fruit post-harvest and by growers who store and ship apples. The fungus is an alternative to treating apples with methyl bromide fumigants. Muscodor albus is also used to control fungal diseases and insects in greenhouses, incorporated into the soil in fields and applied to cut flowers to preserve and protect them.

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