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Abstract Title:

UV-C irradiation as a management tool for Tetranychus urticae on strawberries.

Abstract Source:

Pest Manag Sci. 2018 Apr 24. Epub 2018 Apr 24. PMID: 29688599

Abstract Author(s):

Brent D Short, Wojciech Janisiewicz, Fumiomi Takeda, Tracy C Leskey

Article Affiliation:

Brent D Short

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Tetranychus urticae Koch, the two-spotted spider mite, is a highly polyphagous and worldwide pest of many agricultural crops, including fruit, vegetables, and ornamentals. Typical methods of control include applications of acaricides and biological control agents. Here, we present a non-chemical technology for management of T. urticae on strawberry plants through the use of a nightly short-duration ultraviolet-C (UV-C) irradiation treatment.

RESULTS: Potted strawberry plants infested with T. urticae that received a nightly 60-s exposure of UV-C irradiation had significantly fewer live mites per mid-canopy leaflet (fewer than five) than untreated control plants (>175). Furthermore, none of the UV-C irradiated strawberry plants had any spider mite webbing; whereas, 65% of untreated plants were webbed. Tetranychus urticae feeding on untreated plants caused significant yellowing of the leaves compared with UV-C-treated plants.

CONCLUSION: The UV-C irradiation treatment maintained mite populations below the accepted economic threshold of five mites per mid-canopy leaflet. No phytotoxic effects were visible on plants exposed to the short-duration nightly UV-C irradiation treatments. Further discussion is provided on the potential benefits of UV-C irradiation for mite management. Published 2018. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

Study Type : Plant Study
Additional Links
Therapeutic Actions : Light Therapy : CK(496) : AC(87)
Additional Keywords : Ultraviolet C

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