ABSTRACT.- Penicillium expansum is an important pathogen of cold-stored fruit, currently controlled by chemical fungicides. In this work chitosan combined with the biocontrol yeast Debaryomyces hansenii F9D was tested as a safer alternative for its control on cold-stored apples and pears. When medium molecular weight chitosan was applied on fruit a reduction of rot incidence of 62% and 53% was achieved in apples and pears. respectively. When chitosan was combined with the yeast, disease reduction was 76% and 90%. The combination of biological control with chitosan appears as a feasible strategy for the control of phytopathogenic fungi. © 2022 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group