Location: Commodity Protection and Quality Research
Project Number: 2034-43000-043-065-T
Project Type: Trust Fund Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Oct 1, 2023
End Date: Sep 30, 2025
Objective:
Develop novel postharvest treatments, methods for residue analysis, and techniques to eliminate the atmospheric input of sulfuryl fluoride, a key alternative to methyl bromide fumigation.
Approach:
Conduct research outlined in USDA-Foreign Agricultural Service grant #2023-12 Year 2: Conduct commercial-scale fumigation trials using dried fruit and tree nuts consistent with international phytosanitary guidelines and quantify residues per European Union and/or Codex requirements; Confirm residue results using mass-labeled sulfuryl fluoride; Identify improved techniques/methodologies to quantify fluoride and sulfuryl fluoride residues that result from postharvest fumigation of dried fruit and tree nuts; Address data gaps identified by the European Union required to maintain the registration, and continued use, of sulfuryl fluoride on US exports. Finally, an economic cost analysis will be conducted. ARS will work with industry to transfer results to industry, USEPA, and USDA APHIS.
