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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Hilo, Hawaii » Daniel K. Inouye U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center » Tropical Crop and Commodity Protection Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #276398
Title: Use of irradiation as quarantine treatment for tropical fruit and vegetable crops

Author
item Follett, Peter

Submitted to: HortScience
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/26/2011
Publication Date: 10/31/2011
Citation: Follett, P.A. 2011. Use of irradiation as quarantine treatment for tropical fruit and vegetable crops. HortScience. 46(9): S83

Interpretive Summary: Hawaii exports fresh fruits and vegetables to the U.S. mainland using irradiation to control quarantine insect pests. Hawaii has export approvals for 17 fruits and 7 vegetables using irradiation. Hawaii Pride LLC (Keaau, HI) is the first commercial irradiator designed to treat fresh commodities for phytosanitary purposes. It has exported sweet potatoes, papayas, dragon fruit, bananas, longan, rambutan, and mangos using postharvest irradiation for shipment to the U.S. mainland. Other commodities such as basil and curry leaf may be irradiated to prevent rejection due to hitchhiker pests. Advantages and drawbacks of irradiation will be discussed. Broad commodity tolerance and the availability of generic irradiation doses to treat almost any group of insects on any fresh commodity make irradiation an attractive treatment option. The talk will include a virtual tour of the Hawaii Pride LLC irradiation facility.

Technical Abstract: The export of many of Hawaii’s fresh fruits and vegetables to the U.S. mainland is regulated due to the presence of quarantine insect pests. Hawaii has export approvals for 17 fruits and 7 vegetables using irradiation to disinfest the commodities of any quarantine insects. Hawaii Pride LLC (Keaau, HI) is the first commercial irradiator designed to treat fresh commodities for phytosanitary purposes. During the past 10 years, sweet potatoes, papayas, dragon fruit, bananas, longan, rambutan, and mangos have received postharvest irradiation treatment before shipment to the U.S. mainland. Other commodities such as basil and curry leaf may be irradiated to prevent rejection due to hitchhiker pests. Advantages and drawbacks of irradiation will be discussed. Broad commodity tolerance and the availability of generic irradiation doses to treat almost any group of insects on any fresh commodity make irradiation an attractive treatment option. The talk will include a virtual tour of the Hawaii Pride LLC irradiation facility.