title: Ultralow oxygen treatment for postharvest control of western flower thrips on broccoli.
abstract: Laboratory studies were conducted to develop ultralow oxygen (ULO) treatment for controlling western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), on broccoli at a low temperature of 1 degree C. Complete control was achieved in 5 d at 0.003% oxygen. Oxygen level affected efficacy of ULO treatment. At a higher oxygen level of 0.03%, 6-d treatment killed -85% of thrips, and 10-d treatment killed all thrips. The 5-d ULO treatment with 0.003% oxygen was successfully tested on iced commercial broccoli of several cultivars without any noticeable negative effects on shelf-life and postharvest quality. The ULO treatment provided a safe and effective alternative to methyl bromide fumigation for postharvest control of western flower thrips on exported broccoli for industrial development.
authors.affiliation: USDA-ARS, 1636 E. Alisal Street, Salinas, CA 93905, USA. yliu@pw.ars.usda.gov
authors.forename: Yong-Biao
authors.initials: YB
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001937:Brassica / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000469:parasitology*; D003116:Color; D004780:Environment, Controlled; D007300:Insect Control / Q000379:methods*; D007313:Insecta / Q000187:drug effects*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen