CONTROL OF POSTHARVEST PENICILLIUM DECAY OF CITRUS FRUITS WITH ANTAGONISTIC YEASTS AND CHEMICAL FUNGICIDES

Green and blue molds caused by Penicillium digitatum and P. italicum, respectively, are the main pathogens responsible for postharvest losses of citrus fruits. The yeast isolates selected by initial screening were tested, alone and in combination with two fungicides (Thiabendazole (TBZ) and Imazalil), against green and blue mold, on various citrus cultivars under cold storage and laboratory (21±1°C) conditions. When the yeasts were combined with lower doses of TBZ and İmazalil, the disease severity caused by P. digitatum and P. italicum was reduced by 90-100%. However, the efficacy of the yeast alone was less when it was applied by dipping than when applied directly to the wound. The population dynamics of the yeast isolate (M1/1) was affected by the low dose of Imazalil.