Center for Environment and Energy Research and Studies (CEERS)
Abstract
The majority of recent quarantine schedules have relied on methyl
bromide fumigation. However, due to the phase-out of this fumigant in
January 2005 alternative treatments are needed. Four alternative
chemical fumigants were tested for their potential to replace methyl
bromide as a control agent for Bemisia tabaci , Liriomyza huidobrensis
and Frankliniella occidentalis . Phosphine at 2 g/m3 gave promising
results at 15 °C with complete mortality of all insects after 24 h
exposure. Sulphuryl fluoride, ethyl formate and acetaldehyde caused
severe damage to plant foliage after only 4 h exposure. However,
sulphuryl fluoride produced 100 % mortality of L. huidobrensis pupae
after only 2 h exposure. In a large scale test using phosphine 2 g/m3
at 15 °C complete mortality of L. huidobrensis eggs and pupae was
recorded after a 24 h exposure. However, only 98.5 and 86 % mortality
of B. tabaci eggs and F. occidentalis eggs, respectively, was recorded
after this treatment. Treatments with phosphine produced no significant
detrimental effects on subsequent plant growth. The potential of these
chemicals to act as alternatives to methyl bromide as quarantine
fumigants is discussed