Joseph K. Stewart, Preston L. Hartsell, David K. Young
Acetaldehyde (Aa), a naturally occurring volatile compound, killed 100% of Myzus persicae (Sulzer) on head lettuce during reduced pressure fumigation without injuring the lettuce. The lettuce was wrapped in a commercial polyethylene film containing slits and was packed in cartons before treatment with 1.5% Aa at an initial pressure of 30 mm Hg. Fumigation at lower (5 or 10 mm Hg) or higher (200 or 375 mm Hg) initial pressures did not kill 100% of the insects. Fumigation with 2.0% Aa at normal atmospheric pressure killed 100% of the insects on lettuce wrapped in a net-type film but not those on lettuce wrapped in the commercial or experimentally perforated film. However, lettuce that was wrapped in the net-type film wilted during 2 wk of storage because of high moisture loss through the excessive openings.
Joseph K. Stewart, Preston L. Hartsell, David K. Young
Acetaldehyde (Aa), a naturally occurring volatile compound, killed 100% of Myzus persicae (Sulzer) on head lettuce during reduced pressure fumigation without injuring the lettuce. The lettuce was wrapped in a commercial polyethylene film containing slits and was packed in cartons before treatment with 1.5% Aa at an initial pressure of 30 mm Hg. Fumigation at lower (5 or 10 mm Hg) or higher (200 or 375 mm Hg) initial pressures did not kill 100% of the insects. Fumigation with 2.0% Aa at normal atmospheric pressure killed 100% of the insects on lettuce wrapped in a net-type film but not those on lettuce wrapped in the commercial or experimentally perforated film. However, lettuce that was wrapped in the net-type film wilted during 2 wk of storage because of high moisture loss through the excessive openings.