Goals & Deliverables:

• obtain a fungal collection that will be use in this project
• identify the factors that affect fruit-associated fungal communities (i.e. cultivar, crop management, maturity stage)

Goals & Deliverables:

• identify the fungi that are positively/negatively correlated with B.oleae infestation/anthracnose infection
• identify the factors that might affect the outcome of this multi-species interaction

Goals & Deliverables:

• identify fungal strains that improve plant resistance to B.oleae and anthracnose – Microbial Bioprotectants to Pest (MBP) and to Disease (MBD), respectively;

• elucidate the mechanisms by which they promote plant defense to B.oleae

Goals & Deliverables:

• identify fungal strains that improve plant defense/resistance against co-attack of olive fly and anthracnose (Microbial Bioprotectants–MB);

• understand of how fungi-inoculated fruits coordinate and integrate their defense against multiple biotic threats

Goals & Deliverables:

• clarify if MB induces host defense genes to avoid anthracnose/olive fly attack

• identify a set of genes associated with enhanced resistance with MB

Goals & Deliverables:

• clarify whether MB inoculation altered plant-derived VOCs

• identify VOCs with inhibitory effect on C. acutatum and repellent effect to B. oleae