Concurrent application of ethyl formate and 1-methylcyclopropene to control Tetranychus urticae on exported sweet persimmons (Diospyros kaki Thunb. ‘Fuyu’)

Extending the shelf life of fruits during post-harvest storage and eradicating pests associated with quarantine issues could together comprise the key steps toward expanding the exportation of sweet persimmon in South Korea. Here we firstly investigated the concurrent application of ethyl formate (EF), a methyl bromide alternative fumigant, which is currently considered a beneficial and safe fumigant in quarantine use, and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), an anti-ethylene compound that is broadly used in post-harvest systems, on sweet persimmon. We also suggest the proper fumigation methods to be follow when using these compounds. Tetranychus urticae, an important quarantine pest, was inoculated under the calyx of sweet persimmon, and the fruits were then fumigated using 35.0 mg L⁻¹ of EF for 6 h before and after treating with 1.0 μL L⁻¹ of 1-methylcyclopropene for 24 h under storage conditions of 5°C. Our results showed that concurrent treatments with 1-MCP and EF could be suitable for commercial purposes by extending shelf life, delaying color changes and softening, and offering complete control of the target pest, Tetranychus urticae.