Project Number: 5352-43000-010-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Apr 28, 2005
End Date: Apr 27, 2010

Objective:
Objective 1: Develop and refine postharvest treatments for quarantine and phytosanitation pests to maintain or increase domestic and foreign markets of deciduous tree fruits. Objective 2: Develop and evaluate multicomponent systems approach where accumulative effects of different processes suitable for commercial operations reduce or eliminate postharvest arthropod pests.

Approach:
Objective 1. Basic and applied studies will be conducted to determine the efficacy of postharvest treatments to control various arthropod pests based on temperature and duration. Sources of heat include hot water, forced hot air, and radio frequency exposure. Atmospheric oxygen will be adjusted to increase treatment efficacy. Tests will be conducted on the most susceptible resistant life stage. The test of suitability will be efficacious control with acceptable fruit. Subefficacious levels will be determined for compatibility with combination treatments or the systems approach utilized in commercial operations. Phytotoxic effects will be measured in collaboration with other research facilities. Objective 2. Applied studies in the laboratory and in commercial facilities will be conducted to evaluate the accumulative impact of various operations for reducing postharvest pests. These processes include, but are not limited to field control, evidence of poor host status of the pertinent commodity, commodity sorting and culling, including radiographic detection, pest detection and computerized selection, inspection, baths and packing lines using surfactants and mechanical removal and storage conditions. Subefficacious thermal treatments could also be added during the postharvest process. Emphasis will be on methods that have the least impact on disturbing normal commercial processing, yet maintain desired commodity quality. Formerly 5352-43000-009-00D (3/05).