Gamma-Ray Irradiation Control of Whiteflies Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) and Trialeurodes vaporariorum in the Exportation of Fresh Strawberries

Abstract

Whitefly pests, including the sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), and the greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood), are economically important in agriculture. With the annual growth of the domestic fresh fruit export market, various quarantine treatment methods are being used to export strawberries of better quality. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of gamma rays on the development and reproductive sterility of B. tabaci and T. vaporariorum. In both species, the eggs were completely inhibited from hatching at 50 Gy, and the emergence of third-instar nymphs was completely suppressed at 150 Gy. Some adult B. tabaci and T. vaporariorum spawning occurred at 100 and 70 Gy, respectively; however, at these irradiation levels, F1 hatchability was completely inhibited. Dosimetry results showed that the penetrating power of gamma ray in the strawberry-filled box was the lowest at the mid-box position. Therefore, B. tabaci and T. vaporariorum were placed in the middle of the strawberry-filled box and irradiated. A gamma-ray irradiation of 100 Gy suppressed the development and reproduction of eggs and adults in both B. tabaci and T. vaporariorum. Our data suggest that at least 100 Gy should be used for the control of these two species of whitefly for strawberry export.

Control of Whitefly (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), Trialeurodes vaporariorum, with Electron Beam and X-Ray Radiation of Fresh Strawberies for Export

“…This difference occurred because the penetrating power of radiation depends on the density and moisture content of the packaged product [ 37 ]. The difference in the absorbed dose in a box filled with products varied depending on the size, number, shape, water content and type of products [ 25 , 26 , 28 ]). In this study, 300 Gy of electron beam and X-ray irradiation did not change the quality of the strawberries.…”

“…Additionally, Sharma and Rastogi [ 39 ] reported the effects of a gamma radiation dose of 1.2 kGy on the quality and shelf life of strawberries. In addition, the gamma-ray radiation on strawberry boxes used for export did not affect strawberries until a dose of 400 Gy [ 25 ]. Barkai-Golan and Follett [ 40 ] reported that strawberries are very radiotolerant and are an optimal target commodity.…”

“…Van Nieuwenhove et al [ 24 ], in a large-scale study, suggested that a target dose of 108 Gy prevented reproduction in T. vaporariorum . In previous studies, we applied gamma rays to strawberry boxes packed for export and proposed an inhibitory dose for two species of whiteflies ( Bemisia tabaci and T. vaporariorum ) [ 25 ]. In addition, the inhibitory doses of electron beam and X-ray radiation for six insect pest species ( Spodoptera litura, Tetranychus urticae, Frankliniella intonsa, Bemisia tabaci, Liriomyza trifolii, Myzus persicae ) [ 26 , 27 ] in boxes of cut-flower roses and chrysanthemums were developed.…”

“…The susceptibility of T. vaporariorum to gamma-ray radiation has been studied [ 5 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ]. However, the effects of electron beam and X-ray radiation on T. vaporariorum in different areas of boxes filled with strawberry fruits have not yet been studied.…”

Effects of electron‐beam irradiation on postharvest strawberry quality

“…properties such as excellent transportability, high sugar content, low acidity, and excellent taste (Cho et al, 2019;Kim, Kim, Lim, Jang, & Song, 2010). Although strawberry is mainly consumed in the fresh form, high susceptibility of postharvest strawberry to perishability and color change due to high microbial contamination and metabolic activity limits long-term storage and freshness retention (Jang, Shin, & Song, 2011;Serapian & Prakash, 2016), thus highlighting the need for advanced preservation techniques.…”