Project Number: 5305-43000-003-01
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: Oct 01, 2007
End Date: Nov 30, 2008

Objective:
Optimize storage and ULO combination treatment for postharvest insect control and its safety to postharvest quality of lettuce in large scale trials. Determine treatment protocols of pure phosphine fumigation for postharvest insect control on lettuce. Evaluate pure phosphine fumigation treatment for control of western flower thrips on broccoli, asparagus, and strawberries.

Approach:
Develop semi-commercial scale ultralow oxygen treatment for control of western flower thrips on lettuce and broccoli. For lettuce, study will be conducted to reduce total time for completing ultralow oxygen treatment to make it practical for pre-shipping treatment. Fresh lettuce will be stored for different lengths of time before being subjected to ultralow oxygen treatment to determine minimum pre-treatment storage time for preventing injury to lettuce heartleaves by ultralow oxygen treatment. Semi-commercial treatment will be conducted in a CA room to verify efficacy and safety of ultralow oxygen treatment for both lettuce and broccoli. Studies will be conducted to develop fumigation treatment with pure phosphine at low temperatures for control of western flower thrips on lettuce, broccoli, asparagus, and strawberries and for control of lettuce aphid and leafminer on lettuce. Fumigation treatments will be conducted in glass jars to determine effective concentration x time combinations. Selected concentration x time combinations will be tested on different products to determine efficacy and safety in metal drums or box chambers. Documents trust with CA and AZ Lettuce Export Council. Log 33220. Formerly 5305-43000-002-05R (1/08).