UV-C irradiation technology: nonchemical disease and arthropod pest management

Authors: Janisiewicz, Wojciech; Takeda, Fumiomi; Short, Brent; Leskey, Tracy; Smith, Barbara

Submitted to: North American Strawberry Conference Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/7/2018
Publication Date: 2/3/2019
Citation: Janisiewicz, W.J., Takeda, F., Short, B.D., Leskey, T.C., Smith, B.J. 2019. UV-C irradiation technology: nonchemical disease and arthropod pest management. North American Strawberry Convention. p. 16.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Despite the benefits of ultraviolet-C (UV-C) for controlling various diseases, this approach has been used sporadically under commercial situations. The damaging effect to plants at doses required to kill pathogens has limited its use. In 2011, in our initial studies, it was noted that an increase in killing power of the UV-C against fungal pathogens occurred if a dark period followed the irradiation treatment. This approach controlled three major strawberry pathogens at much lower doses and without any deleterious effects of UV-C on strawberry plants. Since 2013, strawberry plants in a high tunnel have been treated with UV-C irradiation for the entire season using an autonomous vehicle. Also, we found the night-time application of UV-C irradiation has shown to have a great promise as a non-chemical management strategy for control of two-spotted spider mite and greenhouse white fly.