Project Number: 5305-43000-003-02
Project Type: Trust

Start Date: May 01, 2006
End Date: Apr 30, 2009

Objective:
Determine effective ultralow oxygen treatments for control of vine mealybug and grape mealybug. Determine effective ultralow oxygen treatments for control of black widow spider. Determine effects of ultralow oxygen treatment on shelf-life and postharvest quality of table grapes.

Approach:
Various controlled atmosphere treatments with ultralow oxygen (ULO treatments) will be conducted to control all life stages (egg, crawler, nymph, and adult) of vine mealybug, grape mealybug, and obsure mealybug and black widow spider adults in box chambers and jars at low to moderate temperatures. The treatments will include combinations of ULO with carbon dioxide or sulfur dioxide to hasten pest mortality. Effective treatments that control all pests will be tested on different varieties of table grapes to determine their effects of postharvest quality of table grapes. Visual and sensory quality of table grapes will be evaluated after 2-4 weeks of post-treatment storage. Documents Trust with CA Table Grape Commission. Log 30768. Formelry 5305-43000-002-04T (1/08).