The objective in the present study was to investigate the application of chitosanessential oils amended coatings of citrus fruits to control postharvest diseases as fungicides alternatives. Different concentrations of chitosan and essential oils EOs such Lemongrass and citral were applied as individually or in combination treatments against Penicillium digitatum and P. italicum the main pathogens of rotting citrus fruit. In vitro, chitosan, lemongrass EO, citral EO and chitosan-EOs mixtures

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... ificantly reduced the linear growth and spore germination of P. digitatum and P.italicum. Lemongrass and citral EO s at 6 ml / L as well as chitosan + citral or lemongrass EOs mixtures at 3g/L+ 3 ml / L or 4 g/L+ 4 mL / L caused complete growth reduction of P.digitatum and P.italicum. Moreover these treatment cause 100 % protection of peel dices of orange and lime fruits artificially infected with P.digitatum and P.italicum. In storage trials, coated orange and lime fruits with combined treatments of chitosan + citral or lemongrass at concentrations 4.0 g / L+ 4.0 ml / L or 3g/L+3 ml/L caused significantly protective effect against green and blue mold s diseases and prevent the development of fruit decay due the mould s incidence during 40 days of storage at 20°C. Therefore, combination between chitosan and essential oils as fruit coating could be applicable safely for controlling green and blue moulds decay of citrus fruits instead of fungicidal treatments.