Methyl Bromide Fumigation Research Articles

Strawberries at the Crossroads: Management of Soilborne Diseases in California Without Methyl Bromide.

Strawberry production has historically been affected by soilborne diseases such as Verticillium wilt. This disease was a major limiting factor in strawberry production in California in the 1950s and was the main reason that preplant soil fumigation with methyl bromide (MB) was developed in the late 1950s. MB fumigation was so successful that over 90% of the commercial strawberry fruit production in California utilized this technique. However, MB was subsequently linked to ozone depletion, and its use was phased out in 2005. The California strawberry industry was awarded exemption to the full phase-out until 2016, when all MB use in strawberry fruit production was prohibited. MB use continues in strawberry nurseries under an exemption to prevent spread of nematodes and diseases on planting stock. This review examines the impact of the MB phase-out on the California strawberry industry and evaluates the outlook for the industry in the absence of one of the most effective tools for managing soilborne diseases. New soilborne diseases have emerged, and historically important soilborne diseases have reemerged. Registration of new fumigants has been difficult and replacement of MB with a new and effective alternative is unlikely in the foreseeable future. Thus, crop losses due to soilborne diseases are likely to increase. Host plant resistance to soilborne diseases has become a top priority for strawberry breeding programs, and cultivars are increasingly selected for their resistance to soilborne diseases. The intelligent integration of a variety of management tactics is necessary to sustain strawberry production in California.

Life cycle assessment comparison of wooden and plastic pallets in the grocery industry

AbstractWooden and plastic pallets are used extensively in global trade to transport finished goods and products. This article compares the life cycle performance of treated wooden and plastic pallets through a detailed cradle‐to‐grave life cycle assessment (LCA), and conducts an analysis of the various phytosanitary treatments. The LCA investigates and evaluates the environmental impacts due to the resources consumed and emissions of the product throughout its life cycle. The environmental impacts of the pallets are compared on a one‐trip basis and a 100,000‐trips basis. Impact categories are chosen with respect to environmental concerns. The results show that on a one‐trip basis, wooden pallets with conventional and radio frequency (RF) heat treatment incur an overall carbon footprint of 71.8% and 80.3% lower, respectively, than plastic pallets during their life cycle; and in comparison with wooden pallets treated with methyl bromide fumigation, they incur 20% and 30% less overall carbon footprint. Theoretical calculations of the resource consumption and emissions of RF treatment of pallets suggest that dielectric technology may provide a lower‐carbon alternative to both current ISPM 15‐approved treatments and to plastic pallets. Methyl bromide fumigation (15.95 kg CO2 equivalent [eq.]) has a larger carbon footprint than conventional heat treatment (12.69 kg CO2 eq.) of pallets. For the 100,000‐trips basis, the differences are even more significant. The results recommend that wooden pallets are more environmentally friendly than plastic pallets, and conventional and RF heat treatment for wooden pallets is more sustainable than methyl bromide fumigation treatment.

Postharvest treatment of mandarin fruit using a combination of methyl bromide and phosphine against Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae).

Chinese Nanfeng mandarin (Citrus reticulate Blanco '2-6') fruit is host to the oriental fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel, and therefore requires phytosanitary treatment before exporting abroad. The use of methyl bromide (MB) should be reduced because it has phytotoxic and ozone depleting properties. In the present study, fumigations with mixtures of gaseous phosphine (PH3 ) and MB were conducted to disinfest B. dorsalis. The effect of combined fumigation on postharvest quality of Nanfeng mandarin fruit was then evaluated. There was a clear synergistic effect between MB and PH3 against B. dorsalis at 20 °C. The third-instar larvae of B. dorsalis were the most tolerant to treatment with both MB alone and combined with PH3 . Toxicity assay of third instars indicated that higher PH3 concentrations increased MB toxicity, and 1.42-2.84 g m-3 of PH3 was optimal when combined with MB. Probit analysis showed that, combined with 2.13 g m-3 PH3 , similar mortality was achieved with 50% of the MB required when applied alone. Furthermore, the fruit quality test showed that MB fumigation resulted in a higher respiration rate and >40% fruit rot after storage. The combined treatment reduced these effects and did not have adverse effects on fruit firmness, soluble solid content, titratable acidity, or vitamin C content. Our findings demonstrate the synergistic effect between PH3 and MB and indicate that this treatment has potential as a novel strategy for postharvest control of B. dorsalis, especially in MB-sensitive fruit. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Methyl benzoate fumigation for control of post‐harvest pests and its effects on apple quality

AbstractMethyl benzoate is a newly discovered natural insecticide. In this study, we evaluated methyl benzoate as a potential fumigant for controlling four pests including western flower thrips (WFT), Frankliniella occidentalis, lettuce aphid, Nasonovia ribisnigri, rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae, and bulb mites, Rhizoglyphus spp., at different temperatures and effects on post‐harvest quality of apples. Methyl benzoate fumigations were effective against all four pests. Complete control of WFT and lettuce aphid was both achieved in 8, 16 and 24 hr at 25, 13 and 2°C, respectively. For rice weevil, complete control was achieved in 16 and 72 hr with and without rice at 25°C, respectively. Complete control of bulb mites was achieved in 64 hr at 25°C on peanut. In addition, a 24 hr methyl benzoate fumigation at 2°C had complete control of WFT but had no negative impact on visual quality of apples of three varieties 4 weeks after fumigation. These results suggest that methyl benzoate fumigation has potential to be an alternative treatment to methyl bromide fumigation, which has been phased out, for post‐harvest pest control for stored products and may also have potential to control other pests on fresh products.

Efficacy of methyl bromide and alternative fumigants against pinewood nematode in pine wood samples

Alternatives to methyl bromide fumigation are needed for the phytosanitary treatment of log exports. Among the potential alternative, fumigants are phosphine, and sulfuryl fluoride, which are already in use for other commodities and are labeled for use on wood products. Ethanedinitrile is being used for log treatment in Australia and its registration for that purpose is being sought in other countries. These alternative fumigants were tested against the pinewood nematode, in a range of artificially infested wood samples with high moisture content and, in some cases, the bark layer intact on the surface exposed to the fumigant. Phosphine and sulfuryl fluoride successfully eliminated pinewood nematodes on pine wood chips but neither was completely effective on pine blocks with intact bark. Ethanedinitrile was effective on pine chips, blocks and logs at all the doses tested: 40–100 mgL−1 for 24 h at 20 °C. Ethanedinitrile appears to be a promising alternative to methyl bromide for the fumigation of pine logs. Further testing at lower temperatures and doses, and with commercial-scale log loads, is recommended.

Comparison of Methyl Bromide and Phosphine for Fumigation of Necrobia rufipes (Coleoptera: Cleridae) and Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Sarcoptiformes: Acaridae), Pests of High-Value Stored Products.

Fumigation with methyl bromide has been a long established and effective method for controlling many pests of stored products, including the key major pests that infest dry-cured hams, aged cheese, and other value-added durable stored products. Methyl bromide had been widely used for the disinfestation of dry-cured ham facilities in the United States, but is now phased out of use since it is an ozone-depleting substance. This paper reports laboratory studies to evaluate the efficacies of methyl bromide and phosphine for controlling two of the key arthropod pests of dry-cured hams and aged cheeses. Larvae of the red-legged ham beetle, Necrobia rufipes (Fabricius), were the most tolerant life stages when treated with either phosphine or methyl bromide for 48 h exposure at 23°C, whereas eggs of the mold mite, Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank), were slightly more tolerant than mobile stages for both compounds. Under laboratory conditions, complete control was achieved for the both species with concentrations of 0.85 and 4.0 g/m3 of phosphine and methyl bromide, respectively, at 48 h exposure. The results give new information for judicious use of the existing stocks of methyl bromide, whether for pest mitigation or to help in developing a quarantine treatment schedule with that gas. Phosphine shows good potential as an effective alternative to methyl bromide, but if it was to be adopted as a fumigant in the dry-cured ham industry, methods to prevent metal corrosion would need to be designed and effectively implemented.

Lifetime Pesticide Use and Antinuclear Antibodies in Male Farmers From the Agricultural Health Study.

Farming and pesticide use have been associated with systemic autoimmune diseases, and while certain organochlorine insecticides and other pesticides are suspected to influence risk, the role of specific pesticides in the development of systemic autoimmunity is not known. We measured serum antinuclear autoantibodies (ANA) by immunofluorescence on Hep-2 cells in 668 male farmers in the study of Biomarkers of Exposure and Effect in Agriculture (BEEA; 2010–2013), an Agricultural Health Study (AHS) subcohort. We examined ANA in relation to lifetime use of 46 pesticides first reported at AHS enrollment (1993–1997) and updated at intervals through BEEA enrollment. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated after adjusting for age, state, education, season of blood draw, current pesticide use, and correlated pesticides. Having ANA antibodies (3 or 4+ intensity at a 1:80 dilution, 21% of study participants) was associated with a reported history of seeking medical care due to exposure to pesticides (OR 2.15; 95%CI 1.17, 3.95), use of the fumigant methyl bromide (OR 3.16; 95%CI 1.05, 9.5), and use of petroleum oil/distillates (OR 1.50; 95%CI 1.00, 2.25). Using a higher threshold (3 or 4+ at a 1:160 dilution, 9%) ANA positivity was associated with the carbamate insecticide aldicarb (OR 4.82; 95%CI 1.33, 17.5) and greater combined use of four cyclodiene organochlorine insecticides (top tertile of intensity-weighted lifetime days vs. no use; OR T3 3.20; 95%CI 1.10, 9.27). By contrast, greater use of non-cyclodiene organochlorine insecticides was inversely associated with ANA (1:80 dilution 3 or 4+, OR T3 0.24; 95%CI 0.08, 0.72). Specific autoantibodies (to extractable nuclear antigens and anti-dsDNA), measured on those with ANA detected at the 1:80 dilution 3 or 4+, were seen in 15 individuals (2%), and were associated with use of two or more cyclodiene organochlorine insecticides and several other pesticides (e.g., carbofuran, ethylene dibromide). These findings suggest that specific pesticide exposures may have long-term effects on ANA prevalence and support the hypothesis that certain organochlorine insecticides may increase the risk of developing systemic autoimmunity.

Incidence of Podosphaera clandestina on sweet cherries (Prunus avium) and the influence of postharvest handling practices on the survival of conidia on harvested fruit

Powdery mildew of sweet cherry in the Pacific Northwest (PNW) is caused by Podosphaera clandestina, which infects fruit and leaves. Disease symptoms are commonly observed near harvest and such infections are a major concern for offshore cherry markets due to the possibility of diseased cherries providing inoculum to establish the pathogen in a region where P. clandestina has not been reported. The present study was designed to identify periods at which fruit infections are most severe and to determine the efficacy of PNW’s industry postharvest handling practices on the survival of P. clandestina conidia on diseased fruit surfaces. Morphological characteristics and next-generation sequencing (NGS) platform was used to identify the causal agent of foliar and fruit powdery mildew found in the PNW. We combined qPCR and, the use of a viability dye, propidium monoazide (PMA), to differentiate between viable and dead (membrane-compromised) conidia. These tools helped to determine the viability of conidia in real-time. Conidia on the fruit surface naturally lost their viability within a few days of harvest. Postharvest treatments in the PNW include hydrocooling with chlorinated water and methyl bromide fumigation prior to export. These practices were extremely effective in deactivating all conidia on the fruit surface. The residual conidia recovered from the fruit surface after the postharvest treatments failed to establish consistent powdery mildew colonies on the susceptible host leaves; this confirms that diseased, treated cherries are unlikely to serve as a source of inoculum needed to establish the pathogen areas where it has not been documented. After postharvest treatments, regular sampling of conidia up to three weeks after harvest indicated that the conidia were non-viable. Results of this study indicated that the sweet cherry postharvest handling procedures in the PNW are effective for the elimination of the potential sources of P. clandestina inoculum associated with cherry fruit.

Postharvest methyl bromide fumigation of Japanese plums to control codling moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Abstract Postharvest chamber fumigation with 48 mgL−1 (3.0 lbs./1000 ft3) methyl bromide (MB) for 2 h at pulp temperature (T) ≥ 21 °C and chamber load ≤50% is used to control codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), in fresh nectarine, Prunus persica (L.) var. nucipersica, and French plum, P. domestica (L.), exports from California USA to Japan. Fumigations were conducted to verify that control of C. pomonella is expected following an analogous fumigation of fresh Japanese plums, P. salicina (Lindl.). A kinetic model, based on temporal measurement of MB levels in chamber headspace and how calculated exposures varied across the fumigation trials, showed that fresh Japanese plums and French plums sorb MB at a statistically equivalent rate, which resulted in an MB exposure ca. 20% higher than that observed for fresh nectarines. Importantly, results from commercial-scale fumigations indicate that pallet shrouds do not influence the efficacy of MB toward C. pomonella eggs, as their presence did not affect the rate of MB sorption, evidence that supports the use of pallet shrouds to safeguard against the potential for post-fumigation infestation in this export scenario, and beyond. Results are discussed in the context of graduation toward optimized quarantine fumigation schedules, which will promote more strategic technical and economic Quarantine Pre-shipment (QPS) uses of MB.

A solar-powered heat system for management of almond moth, Cadra cautella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in stored dates

The almond moth, Cadra cautella is a worldwide pest that inflicts serious economic damage on dates while on the bunch and during storage. After phasing out of the potent fumigant methyl bromide, extreme temperatures remain an alternative option for the management of this insect pest. A solar-powered heat system was tested for the control of eggs and larvae of C. cautella on fruit of four cultivars, namely Khalas, Shishi, Shibibi, and Khashram. The heating system consisted of an insect treatment chamber, two similar solar collectors, horizontal and vertical air ducts, precision integrated-circuit temperature sensors (lm 35), axial suction fans, and automatic temperature control unit. The delay time required for heating to attain the target temperature of 55 °C in fruit of all cultivars was 120 min. The average lethal time (LT95) at 55 °C which 95% of the eggs and larvae of C. cautella has died was 52.1 and 52.3 min, respectively. Exposing dates to 55 °C for 60 min resulted in total mortality for both eggs and larvae without significant effect on total soluble solids, color, and sugars of all cultivars. Heat treatment of 55 °C for 60 min could be applied to dates immediately after harvest as a safeguard against C. cautella infestation.

Management of Xanthomonas fragariae with Pre- and Postharvest Treatments to Overcome Trade Barriers for California Strawberries.

Xanthomonas fragariae, the causal agent of angular leaf spot (ALS) of strawberry, is a quarantine pathogen in some export markets, causing trade restrictions and economic loss to the California fresh-market strawberry industry. Preharvest chemical management options are limited to copper, and there are no postharvest treatments available that reduce populations of the pathogen if ALS is detected at an export destination. Here, we report high preharvest efficacy for the experimental bactericide amino thiadiazole and the commercial product zinc thiadiazole, alone and in mixtures with low rates of copper or the antibiotic kasugamycin, with average disease incidence reduction of up to 92.8% compared with the control. Although effective against quarantine insect pests of strawberry, postharvest methyl bromide fumigation was ineffective against X. fragariae in diseased plant tissue at a standard commercial rate. Postharvest propylene oxide fumigation, used for decades by the California nut industries for insect and microbial disinfestation, significantly reduced X. fragariae populations in infected leaflet tissues by at least 2.5-log compared with controls at a dose of ≥142 µg/ml for 2 h at 15 to 20°C. Fumigated leaflets showed little to no phytotoxicity at effective rates, and fumigated fruit were not significantly affected in appearance or susceptibility to postharvest gray mold or Rhizopus rot following storage at 2°C for 3 days and at 15°C for an additional 5 days. Together, these new treatments offer potential strategies for establishing a systems approach with preharvest treatments significantly reducing the risk of ALS on plants and, in response to quarantine detections, a postharvest fumigation treatment that reduces viable pathogen populations in existing lesions.

Methyl Bromide Fumigation to Eliminate Thousand Cankers Disease Causal Agents from Black Walnut

Abstract Phytosanitary treatments for logs and barked wood products are needed to mitigate the spread of thousand cankers disease through the movement of these commodities. The disease threatens eastern black walnut (Juglans nigra L.) populations in the United States. It is caused by repeated attacks by the walnut twig beetle (Pityophthorus juglandis Blackman) and subsequent canker development caused by the fungal pathogen Geosmithia morbida M. Kolařík et al. Methyl bromide (MB) fumigations were evaluated for efficacy against P. juglandis and G. morbida in J. nigra bolts. Fumigation with 82 mg/L MB for 24 h at 4.5° C eliminated P. juglandis in J. nigra, but was ineffective against G. morbida. Subsequent experiments focused on eliminating G. morbida, but results were inconclusive because of low rates of pathogen recovery from naturally infested control bolts. Final experiments used J. nigra bolts artificially inoculated with G. morbida. Fumigations with 240 and 320 mg/L MB for 72 h at 10° C were effective in eliminating G. morbida from J. nigra bolts. Results confirm that the USDA fumigation treatment schedule for logs with the oak wilt pathogen will also mitigate the risk of spreading the thousand cankers disease vector and pathogen by movement of walnut bolts and wood products.

Evidence that sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) is not a host of codling moth (Cydia pomonella (L.), Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in British Columbia, Canada

Before accepting a systems approach as an alternative to methyl bromide fumigation, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) of Japan requested a two year study to confirm that sweet cherry is not a host of codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in British Columbia. Evidence was collected through trapping of adults using pheromones and fruit dissections for eggs and larvae in the three largest sweet cherry production regions in the interior of British Columbia: the North Okanagan, South Okanagan/Similkameen and Creston in 2015 and 2016. The Creston Valley is outside of the region served by Sterile Insect Release of codling moth, thus the survey included orchards with and without codling moth sterile insect technology. All cherry orchards were in proximity to apple orchards. No pest control measures that might affect codling moth were used in Year 1 of the study. Year 1 objective was to determine the average number of wild codling moth adults in an orchard where no pest control measures were applied (codling moth threshold). Codling moth pheromone traps were placed in cherry orchards. The highest weekly mean of wild trap captures was 12 codling moth adults per trap in Creston in Year 1. In Year 1, at least 10,000 harvested cherries per orchard were examined externally and by dissection per orchard. A total of 112,565 cherry fruit were individually examined. No codling moth eggs or larvae were found. In Year 2, pest control measures were applied to cherry orchards, and 600 harvested cherries per orchard were examined externally and by dissection per orchard. A total of 6311 cherry fruit were individually examined. No codling moth eggs or larvae were found under low (South Okanagan/Similkameen and North Okanagan regions) and moderate (Creston region) codling moth pest pressure. In 2016, lots from 10 orchards were presented for export certification to countries other than Japan, no insect pests were detected during the brown sugar flotation test. These results suggest that cherries are poor hosts of codling moth. This study supports a systems approach to quarantine security for export of BC fresh cherries to Japan.

熏蒸剂溴甲烷对农田土壤微生物的影响

熏蒸剂溴甲烷对农田土壤微生物的影响

Vacuum Steam Treatment Eradicates Viable Bretziella fagacearum from Logs Cut from Wilted Quercus rubra.

Methyl bromide (MB) fumigation is required for U.S. Quercus log exports due to concern over unintentional spread of Bretziella fagacearum. MB alternatives are needed due to the chemical's ability to damage the earth's ozone layer. Vacuum steam (VS) is an environmentally friendly method that was evaluated for its ability to eradicate B. fagacearum in logs (24 to 61 cm diameter; 1.7 to 1.9 m long) obtained from Q. rubra that had wilted following natural infection (NI) or artificial inoculation (AI). Five replicate loads of two NI and one AI logs were VS-treated at 56°C for 30 min and 60°C for 60 min (at 5.0 cm sapwood depth). Mean frequencies of pretreatment fungus colonization ranged from 12.5 to 24.4% in NI and 29.4 to 45.6% in AI logs based on isolation from wood chips of inner and outer sapwood, respectively, of two disks per log. Frequencies of pathogen DNA detection were similar to those for isolation. No viable pathogen or its DNA were detected in posttreatment logs. Treatment times ranged from 5 to 9 h for the 56°C/30 min schedule and from 8 to 10 h for the 60°C/60 min schedule. Based on these results, VS is worthy of further development as a MB alternative.

Standards to be withdrawn

EPPO BulletinVolume 48, Issue 3 p. 538-539 CorrigendumFree Access Standards to be withdrawn This article corrects the following: PM 3/22 (2) Phytophthora fragariae: inspection Volume 43Issue 3EPPO Bulletin pages: 395-395 First Published online: November 19, 2013 First published: 07 December 2018 https://doi.org/10.1111/epp.12540AboutSectionsPDF 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 The following Standards from the Series PM 3 are withdrawn: PM 3/22(2) Phytophthora fragariae: Inspection PM 3/23(1) Phoma exigua var. foveata. Inspection and test methods PM 3/24(2) Chrysanthemum stunt viroid. Inspection methods PM 3/31(1) Rubus viruses. Inspection and test methods PM 3/36(1) Phaeoisariopsis griseola. Inspection and test methods for bean seeds PM 3/37(2) Tilletia indica. Inspection methods for wheat seeds PM 3/46 (1) Methyl bromide fumigation of citrus and other hosts plants to control Aleurocanthus woglumi PM 3/47 and PM 3/50 have been revised to withdraw the schedule with methyl bromide. These are moved to series PM 10 and published in this issue of the EPPO Bulletin). The following Standard from the Series PP1 is withdrawn: PP 1/277 Insecticide co-formulated mixtures withdrawn as replaced by PP 1/306 (1) General principles for the development of co-formulated mixtures of plant protection products All the PP3 Standards Environmental risk assessment scheme for plant protection products are withdrawn: Decision-making scheme for the environmental risk assessment of plant protection products Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: Guidance on identifying aspects of environmental concern Chapter 3: Soil Chapter 4: Ground water Chapter 5: Surface water Chapter 6: Aquatic organisms Chapter 7: Soil microflora Chapter 8: Earthworms Chapter 9: Arthropod natural enemies Chapter 10: Honeybees Chapter 11: Terrestrial vertebrates References PM3 Standards EPPO (2013) PM 3/22 (2) Phytophthora fragariae: inspection. EPPO Bulletin 43(3), 395– 395. Wiley Online LibraryGoogle Scholar EPPO (1989) PM 2/23 (1) Phoma exigua var. foveata. EPPO Bulletin 19(1), 157– 160. Wiley Online LibraryGoogle Scholar EPPO (2013) PM 3/24 (2) Chrysanthemum stunt viroid: inspection. EPPO Bulletin 43(3), 396– 396. Wiley Online LibraryGoogle Scholar EPPO (1991) PM 3/31 (1) Rubus viruses. Inspection and test methods. EPPO Bulletin 21(2), 241– 244. Google Scholar EPPO (1991) PM 3/36 (1) Phaeoisariopsis griseola. Inspection and test methods for bean seeds. EPPO Bulletin 21(2), 263– 264. Google Scholar EPPO (2013) PM 3/37 (2) Tilletia indica. Inspection methods for wheat seeds. EPPO Bulletin 43(3), 398– 398. Wiley Online LibraryGoogle Scholar EPPO (1994) PM 3/46 (1) Methyl bromide fumigation of citrus and other host plants to control Aleurocanthus woglumi. EPPO Bulletin 24(2), 315– 315. Wiley Online LibraryGoogle Scholar PP1 Standards EPPO (2012) PP 1/277 (1) Insecticide co-formulated mixtures. EPPO Bulletin 42(3), 353– 357. Wiley Online LibraryGoogle Scholar PP3 Standards EPPO (1993) Decision-making scheme for the environmental risk assessment of plant protection products - Chapter 1: Introduction. EPPO Bulletin 23(1), 3– 17. Wiley Online LibraryGoogle Scholar EPPO (1993) Decision-making scheme for the environmental risk assessment of plant protection products – Chapter 2: Guidance on identifying aspects of environmental concern. EPPO Bulletin 23(1), 19– 26. Wiley Online LibraryGoogle Scholar EPPO (1993) Decision-making scheme for the environmental risk assessment of plant protection products – Chapter 3: Soil. EPPO Bulletin 23(1), 27– 49. Wiley Online LibraryGoogle Scholar EPPO (1993) Decision-making scheme for the environmental risk assessment of plant protection products – Chapter 4: Ground water. EPPO Bulletin 23(1), 51– 71. Wiley Online LibraryGoogle Scholar EPPO (1993) Decision-making scheme for the environmental risk assessment of plant protection products – Chapter 5: Surface water. EPPO Bulletin 23(1), 73– 98. Wiley Online LibraryGoogle Scholar EPPO (1993) Decision-making scheme for the environmental risk assessment of plant protection products – Chapter 6: Aquatic organisms. EPPO Bulletin 23(1), 99– 130. Wiley Online LibraryGoogle Scholar EPPO (1994) Decision-making scheme for the environmental risk assessment of plant protection products – Chapter 7: Soil microflora. EPPO Bulletin 24(1), 1– 16. Wiley Online LibraryGoogle Scholar EPPO (1993) Decision-making scheme for the environmental risk assessment of plant protection products – Chapter 8: Earthworms. EPPO Bulletin 23(1), 131– 149. Wiley Online LibraryGoogle Scholar EPPO (1994) Decision-making scheme for the environmental risk assessment of plant protection products – Chapter 9: Arthropod natural enemies. EPPO Bulletin 24(1), 17– 36. Wiley Online LibraryGoogle Scholar EPPO (1993) Decision-making scheme for the environmental risk assessment of plant protection products – Chapter 10: Honeybees. EPPO Bulletin 23(1), 151– 165. Wiley Online LibraryGoogle Scholar EPPO (1994) Decision-making scheme for the environmental risk assessment of plant protection products – Chapter 11: Terrestrial vertebrates. EPPO Bulletin 24(1), 37– 88. Wiley Online LibraryGoogle Scholar Volume48, Issue3December 2018Pages 538-539 ReferencesRelatedInformation

Safe and high efficient method for application of liquid ethyl formate (Fumate TM ) to replace methyl bromide for treatment of imported nursery plants: Poster

There have been significantly increased reports of finding invasive quarantine pests with increasing import plants into Korea. Moreover, the efficacy and work safety issues have been reported regarding use of methyl bromide (MeBr) for fumigation of imported nursery plants. For replacement of MeBr use on imported plants, a new technology of using liquid ethyl formate has been registered in South Korea as FumateTM. The technology involved to mix ethyl format with nitrogen gas to form non-flamable ethyl format formulation. It has been evaluated on various imported plants. The FumateTM is recently developed and commercialized in Republic of Korea and Australia for quarantine treatments on fresh fruits, grains etc. Fumigation with FumateTM offers environmental-friendly and practically safe use of liquid ethyl formate. We have extended the use of liquid EF application technology to quarantine treatment of imported nursery plants.

Effects of soil type, temperature, moisture, application dose, fertilizer, and organic amendments on chemical properties and biodegradation of dimethyl disulfide in soil

AbstractDimethyl disulfide (DMDS) is a potential alternative to methyl bromide for soil fumigation to control soil‐borne disease. Laboratory experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of combinations of soil and environmental factors of DMDS degradation in soil. The results showed that soil pH and soil organic matter content are the major factors influencing the degradation of DMDS in soil. Generally, DMDS degradation was significantly slower in acidic and high organic content soils. The degradation rate increased with temperature and water content. However, when the temperature exceeded 35°C, the degradation rate decreased, and when the soil water content was raised to 10%, the change in DMDS degradation was not significant in Fangshan soil. The degradation of DMDS in soil depended on the initial application rate. Degradation slowed down as the fumigant application rate increased. DMDS degradation in soil was restrained by the addition of organic matter to soil, and the effect was enhanced by increased dosage. DMDS degradation in soil was also restrained by the use of chemical fertilizers except when amended with sodium dihydrogen phosphate and sodium thiosulfate. The impact of fumigant application rates and chemical fertilizers on bacterial communities in soil was determined by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. The results showed that bacterial diversity was affected by different treatments. Our study provides useful information to evaluate environmental safety assessments of DMDS in soil.

Screening of bacteria that antagonize the main pathogen fungi of apple replantation disorders from anaerobic fermented fluid of organic material and its inhibitory effect.

Anaerobic fermented organic materials fluid (AFOF) could alleviate apple replant diseases. In this study, bacteria from AFOF was screened which could antagonize the main pathogenic fungi (Fusarium solani, F. proliferatum, F. oxysporum, F. moniliforme). The effects of the antagonistic bacteria were verified by pot experiment. The results showed that AFOF could significantly inhibit the pathogenic fungi growth and reproduction. Four strains (L11, L12, L13, L14) with strong inhibition activity were obtained from AFOF by the confrontation test, with the highest inhibitory rate being up to 57.3%. All the four strains were Bacillus, with no obvious antagonism each other. Both antagonistic bacteria and methyl bromide fumigation could promote the biomass of Malus hupenhensis seedling compared with continuous cropping soil. Methyl bromide fumigation led to the best growth of M. hupenhensis seedling. The antagonistic bacteria cloud improve root activity, with root length and root tip number increased by 25.1% and 70.9%, respectively. Compared with the continuous cropping soil, antagonistic bacteria and methyl bromide fumigation effectively decreased soil fungi by 71.2% and 64.2%, respectively. Treatment with antagonistic bacteria increased soil bacteria and soil actinomycetes by 48.0% and 140.2%, respectively, indicating that soil microbial community was transformed to "bacteriatype". Treatment with methyl bromide fumigation could significantly reduce soil bacteria and soil actinomycetes, suggesting the antagonistic bacteria could inhibit the growth of pathogenic fungi in soil.

Pre-treatment with 1-methylcyclopropene alleviates methyl bromide-induced internal breakdown, softening and wall degradation in blueberry

Methyl bromide (MeBr) fumigation is the most common quarantine treatment used to control fruit flies in blueberry. Recent studies suggest that the treatments may increase decay and softening during transport, distribution and retail. We evaluated whether the ethylene action inhibitor 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) could counteract the detrimental effects caused by MeBr. ‘Jewel’ and ‘Emerald’ blueberries with 100% surface blue color were harvested and treated with 1-MCP (1 μL L−1 12 h, 4 °C), MeBr (32 g m−3, 3 h, 21 °C), or 1-MCP followed by MeBr. Untreated berries were used as a control. Fruit was stored for 0, 7 or 14 d at 2 °C and internal breakdown, firmness, respiration, weight loss, color, soluble solids, acidity and the total ascorbic acid (AsA), anthocyanin and glutathione (GSH) concentrations were determined. We also assessed pectin solubility by sequential cell wall extraction and neutral sugar composition. MeBr exposure exacerbated internal breakdown and respiration after long-term storage. These effects were significantly reduced by pre-treatment with 1-MCP, indicating that MeBr-induced damage requires ethylene action. 1-MCP application prior to MeBr fumigation also prevented berry softening by delaying solubilization of cell wall uronic acids and galactose. The combination of 1-MCP followed by MeBr caused no detrimental effects on fruit surface color, anthocyanin, weight loss, soluble solids or acidity. MeBr fumigation reduced total GSH concentrations regardless of 1-MCP, indicating that the improved quality retention could not be attributed to the detoxification of the xenobiotic by this compound and was more likely due to inhibition of ethylene-dependent over-ripening and senescence symptoms. Pre-treatment with 1-MCP may be useful to alleviate MeBr-induced deterioration in blueberry.