Hansenula anomala Yeasts as Antifungal Agent with Plant Growth-Promoting Properties

Biological control of fungal plant diseases is emerging as an alternative to chemical pesticides. The use of bioproducts from yeasts is increasingly important, with the potential to develop viable fungicides and natural solutions for plant protection and food security. Aims: The research aimed to evaluate the antifungal potential of the yeast strain Hansenula anomala CNM YS-07 and to determine the effect of a yeast mannoprotein preparation on the growth of selected cereal crops. In the given experiments, oat and maize seeds were pretreated with a mannoprotein extract derived from the yeast Hansenula spp. The determined plant growth parameters were seedling length, shoot biomass, and root biomass. Results: Hansenula anomala strain can efficiently inhibit the growth of fungi Aspergillus spp. and Fusarium spp. The obtained biofungicide combines both antifungal and plant growth effects. Thus, mannoprotein preparation from Hansenula anomala resulted in the greatest increases in maize seedling length (97.3%), shoot dry mass (226.0%), and root dry mass (144.0%) compared to the control. The maximum increase in oat seedling length was 178,2%, in oat dry mass of shoot was 137.2%, and in dry mass of root 173.0% compared to the control.