Post-harvest storage fungi of Almonds (Prunus amygdalus Batsch.) and its sensitivity against Plant volatiles

Major post-harvest deteriorating fungi isolated from stored seeds of almonds were Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Fusarium nivale, Mucor mucedo and Penicillium expansum. A. flavus and A. niger had higher % incidence than other isolated fungi. Twenty essential oils were screened against A. flavus and A. niger. Out of which, oil of Lippia alba showed absolute fungitoxicity at 40 μl/ml against both the test fungi. Study revealed that L. alba oil can be harnessed as effective preservative of almonds during storage.