a b s t r a c t
This study reports the efficacy of chitosan (CS) in combination with Zataria multiflora (ZEO) or Cinnamomum
seylanicum (CEO) essential oil to inhibit Phytophthora drechsleri in vitro and on artificially
infected cucumbers for a storage period of 10 days. The fungal growth significantly was reduced by
increasing concentrations of ZEO, CEO and CS that CEO was the most effective. Moreover, combined
treatments showed more significant mycelial inhibition results and reduction of the IC50, MIC and MFC
values compared with pure EOs or CS (p < 0.05). The most effective treatments in reducing mycelial
growth were those based on the combination of CS with CEO (CC) or ZEO (CZ). In fruit decay assays, the
combined treatments (CC and CZ) were able to reduce fungal decay in the range of 77e85% at day 9,
compared with in the control.