Project Number: 5305-43000-004-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Dec 10, 2012
End Date: Sep 09, 2015

Objective:
1. Develop phosphine fumigation treatment for post-harvest pest control on perishable commodities. 2. Explore new alternative treatments for post-harvest pest control.

Approach:
Objective 1. Low temperature phosphine fumigation under the normal atmospheric oxygen and higher oxygen levels will be studied for controlling insect pests on fresh commodities. Insects that will be studied include lettuce aphid, light brown apple moth, and codling moth. The most tolerant life stage of each pest will be identified and effective phosphine fumigation treatment will be developed to control the most tolerant life stage of each pest. Effects of low temperature phosphine fumigation on postharvest quality of fresh fruits and vegetables and the treatment will be modified to achieve effective control of the pest and safety to product quality. Objective 2. Efforts will be made to evaluate potential new fumigants or non-chemical means as they become available for postharvest pest control on perish and stored products.