The Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann) is a worldwide pest of economic importance because attacks a large number of agricultural crops and for the extent of the damage it causes. Among the alternative control strategies to the use of sprays with synthetic insecticides, a very important role can be played by powders obtained from rocks whose activity arise from the ability to form a film of white powder, which acts as a repellent and irritant to insects. This film can also interfere with plants' physiology and affect quality of fruit. In this study the efficacy of a commercial kaolinbased formulation to control medfly infestations was compared to synthetic insecticides commonly used against this pest (phosmet, alfacypermethrin, deltamethrin). The results showed a significant reduction of medfly attacks in fruits treated with insecticides (1.5% damaged fruit) or with kaolin (0.5% damaged fruits) compared to the untreated sample (10% damaged fruits), while physiological and quality parameters did not show relevant differences between treatments and control fruit. Overall results highlight how the use of kaolin represents a valid alternative to treatments with synthetic insecticides to control C. capitata attacks on peaches, while not affecting fruits' quality.
Effects of kaolinbased particle film on physiological, nutritional, nutraceuticals parameters and Ceratitis capitata infestations in peach fruit at harvest and after storage
A Palma;
2020
Abstract
The Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann) is a worldwide pest of economic importance because attacks a large number of agricultural crops and for the extent of the damage it causes. Among the alternative control strategies to the use of sprays with synthetic insecticides, a very important role can be played by powders obtained from rocks whose activity arise from the ability to form a film of white powder, which acts as a repellent and irritant to insects. This film can also interfere with plants' physiology and affect quality of fruit. In this study the efficacy of a commercial kaolinbased formulation to control medfly infestations was compared to synthetic insecticides commonly used against this pest (phosmet, alfacypermethrin, deltamethrin). The results showed a significant reduction of medfly attacks in fruits treated with insecticides (1.5% damaged fruit) or with kaolin (0.5% damaged fruits) compared to the untreated sample (10% damaged fruits), while physiological and quality parameters did not show relevant differences between treatments and control fruit. Overall results highlight how the use of kaolin represents a valid alternative to treatments with synthetic insecticides to control C. capitata attacks on peaches, while not affecting fruits' quality.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.