Global use of phosphine as a fumigant has increased in response to the need to replace methyl bromide and with the improved formulations ECO2FUME and VAPORPH3OS Phosphine is registered as a postharvest fumigant on kiwifruit in New Zealand and has been used commercially to reduce the risk of detecting live pests Scale insects mealybugs and diapausing twospotted spider mites were exposed to a range of phosphine treatments A 48h low temperature (1746C) fumigation (64083311 ppm) achieved 100 mortality of all life stages of oleander scale insects while a 12h exposure killed all longtailed mealybug life stages A 36h low temperature (2533C) fumigation (43322712 ppm) treatment achieved 100 mortality of all greedy scale insect life stages A 48 to 96h treatment (36001200 ppm) at 115C caused 913100 mortality of diapausing twospotted spider mite adults Use of phosphine as a commercial treatment for kiwifruit is discussed
Fresh produce supply chains are being transformed by increasing demands for information on product origin, production inputs, environment impacts and quality. A key point of differentiation between competing supply chains is their ability to transfer information seamlessly throughout the chain. Frequently, information required by the postharvest and/or marketing components of the supply chain must be sourced directly from the producer. Increasingly, the information sought from the producer needs to be based on complex data collected under a wide range of field conditions. This paper reports on techniques that can add value to the information required of the producer for all chain participants. These techniques include geographic information systems, handheld data capture devices, remote sensing equipment and database management at different levels in the supply chain. Also, the information generated from these techniques can be used to optimise physical and financial aspects of horticultural production systems, in addition to the provision of auditable product traceability. This aspect may help to motivate improvements to current information systems. While there are exciting opportunities for further progress, horticultural production and its supply chain has challenging demands for these technologies, not the least of which is the question "how will it work in practice?" Mapping of pipfruit and kiwifruit information provides case studies that explore the implications, and identify current limitations, for researchers, developers and users of the various technologies.
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