Effects of kaolinbased particle film on physiological, nutritional, nutraceuticals parameters and Ceratitis capitata infestations in peach fruit at harvest and after storage

The Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann) is aworldwide pest of economic importance because attacks a large number ofagricultural crops and for the extent of the damage it causes. Among the alternativecontrol strategies to the use of sprays with synthetic insecticides, a veryimportant role can be played by powders obtained from rocks whose activityarise from the ability to form a film of white powder, which acts as a repellentand irritant to insects. This film can also interfere with plants' physiology andaffect quality of fruit. In this study the efficacy of a commercial kaolinbasedformulation to control medfly infestations was compared to synthetic insecticidescommonly used against this pest (phosmet, alfacypermethrin,deltamethrin). The results showed a significant reduction of medfly attacks infruits treated with insecticides (1.5% damaged fruit) or with kaolin (0.5% damagedfruits) compared to the untreated sample (10% damaged fruits), whilephysiological and quality parameters did not show relevant differencesbetween treatments and control fruit. Overall results highlight how the use ofkaolin represents a valid alternative to treatments with synthetic insecticidesto control C. capitata attacks on peaches, while not affecting fruits' quality.