Biological control of Penicillium digitatum by Trichoderma viride on postharvest citrus fruits

In previous studies it was shown that Trichoderma viride, isolated from Spanish citrus packing houses, showed antagonistic activity against Penicillium digitatum in in vitro laboratory tests. In the present in vivo studies Navelina oranges, protected with aqueous suspension of T. viride (2.5 x 10(6) to 2.5 x 10(9) spores per ml), showed an increase in resistance toward P. digitatum. Oranges, inoculated with P. digitatum, did not produce lesions after 5 days when T. viride was applied 48 h or 72 h before inoculation.