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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Wapato, Washington » Temperate Tree Fruit and Vegetable Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #195053
Title: INTRODUCTION

Author
item Hansen, James D
item Johnson, Judy

Submitted to: Heat Treatments for Postharvest Pest Control: Theory and Practice
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/30/2007
Publication Date: 6/30/2007
Citation: Hansen, J.D., Johnson, J.A. 2007. Introduction. In: Heat Treatments for Postharvest Pest Control: Theory and Practice. p 1-26. J.Tang, E. Mitcham, S. Wang, S.Lurie (eds.), CABI Publishing, Wallingford, Oxforshire, UK; Cambridge MA.

Interpretive Summary: The number of options for effective control of insect pests in agricultural communities has been declining because of health and environmental concerns. Heat treatments remain as one of the best approaches for postharvest insect control. Researchers at the USDA-ARS, Yakima Agricultural Research Laboratory, Wapato, Washington in collaboration with USDA-ARS, Parlier, California provided a comprehensive discussion on the mechanisms and attributes of heat for controlling pests. As an introduction, this book chapter provides a brief history of the different types of heat treatments, then a summary of their current status, which leads into more thorough discussions in the following chapters. This book will provide the technical background and techniques for developing heat treatments against postharvest pests.

Technical Abstract: In the quest to obtain effective methods of pest control, heat is one of the earliest methods used, yet remains one of the most potential options. This is an introductory chapter to a book that discusses the theory and applicability of heat treatments against a range of postharvest pests. The chapter begins by recounting the history and purpose of quarantine and phytosanitation requirements. Next, treatments in general are reviewed. A survey of treatments follows beginning with history for control of specific pests (grain, dry good, soil) and the different methodologies (steam, electric heat, hot water, vapor heat, electromagnetic energy, solar heating) used. Finally, the current status of the specific applications (hot water, steam, vapor heat, high-temperature-controlled atmospheres, solar, forced hot air, dry heat, infrared, microwave, and radio frequency) are briefly discussed.