03/23/06 Getting rid of hitchhikers

Getting rid of hitchhikers. I'm Greg Martin with today's Fruit Grower Report. Exporting fruit to other countries has a downside. Hitchhikers. Pests that like to hike a ride on exported fruit. Those pests may not necessarily pose a threat to the fruit itself but can cause major headaches for the countries they arrive in. Many non-native species have been transplanted in this fashion over the years. Using food-grade surfactants, Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists in Wapato, Wash., are testing new methods of ridding packed sweet cherries of mites, thrips and other surface-feeding pests. According to ARS entomologist Jim Hansen these pests tend to hide out in the stem end of the fruit and the research being done is a method of washing the pests out. Hansen is experimenting with dips, baths and sprays containing polydimethyl silicone emulsions and other food-grade surfactants. A surfactant breaks the surface tension allowing easier spreading and coverage. Recent studies by Hansen and others have shown that some silicone-based surfactants will remove spider mites, thrips and mealy bugs from apples and pears. Hansen says they have done similar work with pears and other fruit would benefit as well. Methyl bromide fumigation has been used in the past but is being phased out by an international agreement since it depletes the ozone. The California Cherry Board is working with ARS on the new techniques. And while the processes are still in the experimental stage, Hansen hopes to have some implemented this season in California. That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag information Network.