Irradiation as a quarantine treatment against tephritid fruit flies - a review.
Reddy P. V. R., Abraham Verghese, Sreedevi K., Manivannan S.
Author Affiliation: Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hessaraghatta Lake, Bangalore - 560 089, India.
Current Biotica 3 : 581-593
Abstract : Ionising radiation has been recognized as an alternative to chemicals for treating fresh agricultural produce in order to overcome quarantine barriers in trade. Radiation processing is a newly emerging technology of post harvest treatment that can eliminate metamorphic stages of insect pests. It is an environment friendly technology, does not leave any residues in the food and has the potential to successfully replace chemical fumigation practices. The lifting of ban on the import of Indian mangoes that were treated with recommended doses of gamma radiation by the USA is the most recent example of the applicability and the acceptance of irradiation technology as an ideal phytosanitary treatment. This paper reviews the importance, methodology, status and scope of irradiation as a quarantine treatment for fruit flies in the light of available literature.