Hot water treatment of Dracaena and Yucca cuttings against Opogona sacchari

Abstract

EPPO BulletinVolume 39, Issue 1 p. 28-28 Free Access Hot water treatment of Dracaena and Yucca cuttings against Opogona sacchari First published: 11 March 2009 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2338.2009.02225.x European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization Organisation Européenne et Méditerranéenne pour la Protection des Plantes AboutSectionsPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat PM 10/2 (1) Specific scope This standard describes hot water treatment of Dracaena and Yucca cuttings against Opogona sacchari. This is an alternative to PM 10/3 (previously standard PM 3/14). Specific approval and amendment First approved in 2008-09. Introduction Opogona sacchari, the sugar cane borer, originates in the humid tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, where it is not a significant pest. However, O. sacchari is a serious pest of many protected ornamental plant species, and is listed in EC plant health legislation (EPPO/CABI, 1997). It has frequently been intercepted on Yucca and Dracaena (e.g. Dracaena fragrans, a popular variety) and early stages of larval tunnelling in woody or fleshy cuttings are practically undetectable. The cuttings remain viable for long periods, thus enabling disinfestation treatments to be conducted during storage. Commodities/regulated articles Cuttings11 This treatment can be used on both rooted and unrooted cuttings. The experimental work was carried out on standard commercially-grown yucca cuttings (approximately 3–4 cm in diameter). of Yucca (UCCSS) and Dracaena (DRNSS) Pests Opogona sacchari (OPOGSC) Treatment schedule Select a water bath with a much larger volume (3- to 4-fold over-capacity) than that of the Yucca or Dracaena cuttings to be treated22 This over-capacity minimizes the decrease in temperature caused by immersion of the cuttings. . Pre-heat the water to 47°C and completely immerse the cuttings for 1 h33 Due to the buoyancy of the material, it will need to be held down by placing a grid on top of the cuttings and placing sufficient weight on it. . The 1 h-treatment should not commence until the water temperature has returned to 47°C following immersion of the cuttings. After 1 h transfer the cuttings to another water-bath at 20°C, and immerse for at least 10 min to allow cuttings to cool down. They should then be left to dry for a few hours before packing. Efficacy of treatment Results presented by Walters et al. (2002) showed that disinfestation of both Yucca and Dracaena cuttings infected with Opogona sacchari is possible with a hot water treatment of 60 min at 47°C followed by 10 min at 20°C44 Relatively minor growth retardation was seen in both plant species after the treatment although the sprouts developed slightly lower on the stem than in the controls. . Experimental details are provided. A full immersion in hot-water at 50°C for 14 min is accepted as a phytosanitary treatment for Dracena cut flowers and branches by New Zealand's Ministry of Agriculture and Food (Anonymous, 2002). Footnotes 1 This treatment can be used on both rooted and unrooted cuttings. The experimental work was carried out on standard commercially-grown yucca cuttings (approximately 3–4 cm in diameter). 2 This over-capacity minimizes the decrease in temperature caused by immersion of the cuttings. 3 Due to the buoyancy of the material, it will need to be held down by placing a grid on top of the cuttings and placing sufficient weight on it. 4 Relatively minor growth retardation was seen in both plant species after the treatment although the sprouts developed slightly lower on the stem than in the controls. References Anonymous (2002) Import Risk Analysis of Cordyline and Dracaena Cut Flowers and Branches for the Development of a Generic Import Health Standard. New Zealand MAF Biosecurity Authority, Wellington (NZ). Web of Science®Google Scholar EPPO/CABI (1997) Opogona sacchari. Quarantine Pests for Europe, 2nd edn, pp. 414– 417. CAB International, Wallingford (GB). Google Scholar Walters KFA et al . (2002) New Quarantine Treatments for Horticultural and Timber Products as Alternatives to Methyl Bromide Fumigation. FAIR CT98 4259. Google Scholar Enquiries Central Science Laboratory, Sand Hutton, York, YO41 1LZ, GB. Volume39, Issue1April 2009Pages 28-28 ReferencesRelatedInformation