Methyl bromide (MB), as a fumigant for Quarantine and Pre-Shipment(QPS) could offer eradication of target pests within shorter fumigation period and without phytotoxicity. Therefore, unlike MB alternatives for soil fumigation, there is no ideally MB alternative fumigant for QPS purpose, particularly for perishable commodities. It is critically important that within shorter fumigation time requires killing all target insect pests and without effect of quality and deliver treated fruit and vegetables to the final consumer.
The citrus mealybug(Planococcuscitri), problem quarantine pest, was tested with different exposure times(2 and 4-hours) and concentrations(EF(0-200 g/m3) and PH3(10-50 g/m3)) in small desiccators for mixture tests. On sensitivity test with small desiccator, the egg stage showed 100% mortality with 200/25(EF/PH3) g/m3 and the nymph and adult stage showed 100% mortality with 10/10(EF/PH3) g/m3 on 2h. Also, the egg stage showed 100% mortality with 150/25(EF/PH3) g/m3on 4h.