Low-temperature phosphine fumigation of chilled lettuce under insulated cover for postharvest control of western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)
2011
Liu, Yong-Biao
Pallet-scale phosphine fumigations were conducted on pre-chilled iceberg lettuce under an insulated cover to determine efficacy against western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, and phytotoxicity to lettuce. Vacuum-cooled commercial iceberg lettuce at 3°C was sealed in a plastic bag, covered with double-bubble foil insulation, and then fumigated with 484±17ppm phosphine for 18h under storage at 20°C. Lettuce temperature increased from 4.5°C to 7.2°C during the course of fumigations. The fumigation treatment was replicated three times and achieved complete control of 3453 western flower thrips. Lettuce quality was evaluated 2weeks after fumigation and the fumigation had no significant negative impact on lettuce quality. This study demonstrates that insulated cover can be used to keep pre-chilled lettuce at low temperature suitable for low-temperature phosphine fumigation to control western flower thrips on harvested lettuce.
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