Quarantine treatment for grapefruit against Anastrepha suspensa found phytotoxic
The previously recommended hot water immersion quarantine treatment for grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) against Anastrepha suspensa (EPPO A1 quarantine pest) was investigated in respect to its phytotoxicity. Studies carried out in Florida, US, showed that hot water immersion of freshly harvested fruit is phytotoxic to the peel and decreasing peel resistance to penicillium infection after treatment and storage. The authors concluded that hot water immersion at 43.5ø C for 4 h was too phytotoxic to serve as an effective quarantine treatment.
Sources
Miller, W.R.; McDonald, R.E.; Hatton, T.T. (1989) Phytotoxicity to grapefruit exposed to hot water immersion treatment.
Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society, 101, 192-195.