Location: Commodity Protection and Quality Research
Project Number: 2034-43000-043-009-R
Project Type: Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Oct 1, 2018
End Date: Sep 1, 2023
Objective:
Develop novel postharvest treatments to control key pests in trade and marketing channels of fresh Alaska peony exports.
Approach:
Conduct research outlined in USDA-Foreign Agricultural Service grant #2018-09, Year 1: Initiate laboratory-scale postharvest treatments to control target pests, including thrips. Using Probit regression analyses, predict treatment parameters required to meet international phytosanitary standards (e.g., >30,000 treated, Probit-8.2 efficacy at 95% level of confidence). Utilize a cooperative effort between USDA-ARS, USDA-APHIS, Alaska industry, and foreign counterparts to address pest-related barriers to export. Particular attention will be paid to the expansion and retention of export markets. Pests will be targeted with novel postharvest techniques including, but not limited to: fumigation, heat/cold treatments, and system-based approaches. Whenever possible, techniques will be tailored to infrastructural and logistical requirements with priority given to those that minimize interruption to conventional methods of production, storage, and distribution. Conduct research outlined in USDA-Foreign Agricultural Service grant #2018-09, Year 4:
