Location: Innovative Fruit Production, Improvement, and Protection
Project Number: 8080-21000-032-054-T
Project Type: Trust Fund Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Jul 1, 2024
End Date: Jun 30, 2027
Objective:
The objectives for this project will be: 1) Evaluate cherry fungal pathogens and spotted wing drosophila (SWD) sensitivity to UV-C (254nm) or far UV (222nm) light in direct laboratory assays; 2) Evaluate control of fungal rots and SWD on sweet cherry fruit after of UV-C (254nm) or far UV (222nm) light treatment; and 3) Evaluate UV-C or far UV-C treatments in combination with biological control products on sweet cherry fruit.
Approach:
Our proposal aims to investigate the use of UV for postharvest treatment of sweet cherry to control fungal diseases and SWD. We will determine the efficacy and minimum dose of UV-C (254nm) and far UV (222nm) required to control sweet cherry fungal diseases and SWD in direct laboratory assays, on fruit surfaces and internally for SWD, and in combination with biocontrol agents such as Bio-Save. The results gained from this work will provide new knowledge about the effectiveness of alternative control strategies and the potential benefits of incorporating these postharvest treatments into sweet cherry production systems.
