The present study envisages the influence of essential oils namely lemon grass, eucalyptus, clove and neem on Kinnow mandarin with the objective to combat major post harvest diseases and to prolong its availability for longer time in the season. For this, in vitro and in vivo studies were conducted. Poisoned food technique was used for in vitro studies, and for in vivo studies, Kinnow fruit were pre-inoculated with pathogens (Penicillium digitatum and P. italicum), treated with different essential oils and then stored at 5 °C ±1 °C temperature and 85-90 % RH). Our results indicated that all essential oils inhibited the growth (colony diameter) of both pathogens over untreated PDA plates, but the inhibition was the strongest by lemon grass oil. Similarly, under in vivo conditions, all essential oils influenced decay incidence, decay loss, lesion diameter, respiration rate, ethylene evolution, overall acceptability and physiological loss in weight but lemon grass was the most effective. And also the incidence of Penicillium italicum was more noticed in fruits than P. digitatum, however, it was reverse under in vitro conditions. The decay rot at all stages of storage was less in EOs treated fruits than untreated fruits, thereby increasing their storage life significantly. Thus, it is evident from our studies that essential oils have the potential to control green and blue mold without causing any injury or harmful effects on Kinnow mandarin, and EOs can be recommended as a safe method for extending its storage life while maintaining fruit quality.
Keywords: Essential oils; Ethylene evolution rate; Kinnow mandarin; Respiration rate; Storage life.