Effect of inoculum size of yeast Debaryomyces hansenii to control Penicillium italicum on Mexican lime (Citrus aurantiifolia) during storage

The effect of administration of the concentration of five strains of Debaryomyces hansenii on protecting the Mexican lime from Penicillium italicum was measured. Imazalil fungicide was applied as a control treatment for comparison. The most effective treatments for reducing the severity of P. italicum on fruit at room temperature were intermediate (1 x 10(6) cells mL(-1)) and high (1 x 10(8) cells mL(-1)) doses of antagonistic yeasts. Cold-stored fruits were protected better by the highest dose of yeast. The protection of antagonistic yeasts in both temperatures was similar to imazalil.