Diversity Analysis of Culturable Epiphytic Microbial Consortia of Table Grape Berry Surface

ABSTRACT The health and yield of grapes are affected by the microorganisms associated with the grapevine. The diversity of microorganisms present on the wine grape varieties is well defined whereas, the information associated with the microorganisms of table grape varieties remains scarce. In the present study, culture-dependent method was used to isolate the microbes present on the surface of the commercial white seedless table grape cultivar, Thompson Seedless at different stages of berry development. The microbial load of the grape berry surface increased as the berry progressed toward the ripening stage resulting in the identification of core bacteria (29), filamentous fungi (19) and yeast (3). A diversity analysis study also revealed that Cladosporium cladosporioides, was found in the vineyard on grapes from the early berry development stages, as an emerging pre-harvest pathogen. The study would help in understanding and exploiting the microbiota of table grape berry in agronomic and biotechnological applications.