Hinokitiol (β‐thujaplicin), for postharvest decay control on ‘Galia’ melons

Abstract

Abstract ‘Galia’ melons (Cucumis melo cv. Reticulatus) exported from Israel to Europe are coated with wax containing 2000 ppm imazalil to control decay‐causing fungi (Alternaria alternata and Fusarium spp). The residual level on the fruit is 3–5 ppm of imazalil, and exceeds the tolerance levels of some countries (i.e., 0.5 ppm). In this study we test an alternative treatment to imazalil. Hinokitiol (β‐thujaplicin), a volatile oil extracted from the Japanese Hiba tree (Thujopsis dolabrata), at a concentration of 750 ppm in the wax, controlled the decay‐causing fungi and had no phytotoxic effect on the fruit.