Rhodotorula mucilaginosa is a promising biocontrol yeast against postharvest decay.
Heat shock (HS) improves stress tolerance and biocontrol efficacy of R. mucilaginosa.
Heat, oxidative and salt stresses caused oxidative damage to R. mucilaginosa.
Activation of the yeast antioxidant system by HS resulted in lower oxidative damage.
HS is a viable approach for improving the efficacy of biocontrol yeasts.