Antifungal properties of leaf essential oils of Citrus against Alternaria alternata and Penicillium sp in vitro

The essential oils were extracted by hydrodistillation from the leaves of citrus by using hydrodistillation. The largest yields were recorded with Citrus limon L (1.02%) and Citrus sinensis (0.96%). The results of the antifungal activity of essential oils of citrus showed the great inhibitory power of Citrus aurantium, Citrus limon and Citrus reticulata, on the radial mycelial growth of Alternaria alternata and Penicillium sp. Data also showed that the antifungal activity was increased as the concentration increased of tested essential oils. According to the results, the essential oils of citrus could be used as potential antifungal agents for the control of fungal diseases in plants.