The system performance of a modified atmosphere treatment for arthropod pest control

J. H. Norikane, R. G. Anderson, R. S. Gates, D. A. Potter, Lloyd Dunn

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

Abstract

Low oxygen conditions (< 1%) have been demonstrated to be an effective fumigation treatment for five different greenhouse pests. The modified atmosphere treatment was tested on fungus gnat larvae (Bradysia sp.), green peach aphids (Myzus persicae (Sulzer)), sweetpotato whitefly (Bemisia sp.), twospotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch), and western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande)) at different life stages. The initial studies were conducted in Petri dishes with the insects on leaf discs. The objective of the present research is to scale up the test apparatus for experiments using infested whole plants under low oxygen conditions. Before the new set of experiments begin, a redesigned test set-up needed to be assembled and the system's performance verified. A total of 12 10-L vessels will be used for the control and hypoxia treatments with six vessels per group. Humidified compressed air will be fed to the control group, while humidified nitrogen gas will be given to the hypoxia treatment group. Future testing may include mixed N 2 and CO 2 gases. The testing will be conducted in a controlled environment with a set temperature of 25°C. The temperature and relative humidity levels within the vessels will be monitored, as well as the oxygen and carbon dioxide contents. The system performance characteristics will be presented.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages5287
Number of pages1
StatePublished - 2004
Externally publishedYes
EventASAE Annual International Meeting 2004 - Ottawa, ON, Canada
Duration: Aug 1 2004Aug 4 2004

Other

OtherASAE Annual International Meeting 2004
Country/TerritoryCanada
CityOttawa, ON
Period8/1/048/4/04

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Engineering

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