Postharvest Alternatives to Methyl Bromide

The phase-out of methyl bromide fumigation as a treatment for some exported commodities has stimulated research in alternative treatments

Postharvest treatments of commodities for pest control are vitally important to the agricultural industry. Effective treatments reduce the risk of expanding the range of economic pests. Additionally, a standard level of pest control is required for interstate and international trade. This standard is called Probit 9 security under the USDA quarantine system. To meet this standard, a treatment must kill or sterilize 99.9968% of the pests in a test of at least 100,000 individuals.

Methyl bromide fumigation is currently the primary method of achieving Probit 9 security.  This method has been inexpensive and easy to use. However, awareness of its damaging effect on the ozone layer and worker safety issues have prompted the phase-out of its use.  In developed countries, 100% phase-out was adopted in 2005, with exemptions for official quarantine and approved critical uses. In developing countries, 100% phase-out is targeted for 2015. This situation has stimulated research in alternative methods of postharvest pest management.

Elizabeth Mitcham and her research assocates at the Postharvest Laboratory, Department of Plant Sciences, UC Davis, are pursuing research involving the following treatments: Radio Frequency, Controlled Atmosphere, Alternative fumigants: Ethyl Formate, Surfactants, Hot Water Treatments

Overview Presentation
Advances in Quarantine Research or "Debugging" Horticultural Crops (PowerPoint to pdf)
Elizabeth Mitcham, Dept. of Plant Sciences, UC Davis (Gordon Conference II  2003)