A New Approach: Ethyl Formate Fumigation to Control Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in a Yellow Melon Vinyl House

Abstract

Due to concerns over the resistance development to existing pesticides, chemical poisoning among farmers, and chemical residue on crops, sprung up a growing need to develop new pest control strategies for utilization in protected houses in Korea. A series of experiments tested a new technology using a fumigant, ethyl formate, in growing crops in the protected houses. It was revealed that the glasshouse was inadequate for the fumigation system using the fumigant since ethyl formate gas sharply decreased due to gas leaking through the gaps between the glass frames. On the other hand, the gas concentration was stable during the fumigation process. Experiments were also conducted to evaluate its phytotoxicity on cucurbits crops (yellow melon). The crops were fumigated at 20 °C in three fumigation schedules (2, 4, and 12 h). The results revealed that the developmental stages of yellow melon showed no sign of phytotoxicity in all conditions. However, the fumigation damaged the shoots of red pepper in higher humidity and at a longer duration. Interestingly, Bemisia tabaci were (100%) completely killed in all these conditions. Based on the results of the above experiments on the high efficacy on the control of Bemisia tabaci and zero phytotoxic effects of the ethyl formate fumigation on yellow melon, verification experiments for the effectiveness were conducted thrice in farmer’s yellow melon vinyl houses and once in a farmer’s cucumber vinyl house. Results demonstrated that ethyl formate fumigation for 2 h at 2 g m−3 concentration could 100% kill the adults of Bemisia tabaci with no phytotoxic effect on the crops. Therefore, we could conclude that the 2-h fumigation system with 2 g m−3 ethyl formate would be a new alternative to the existing chemical spraying methods.

Effective Phytosanitary Treatment for Export of Oriental Melons (Cucumis melo var L.) Using Ethyl Formate and Modified Atmosphere Packaging to Control Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

“…With these points in mind, EF can be considered for use in closed systems such as vinyl houses and smart farms to control agricultural insect pests [ 33 ]. Presently, various insect pests are controlled by EF fumigation in vinyl houses, and EF fumigation in an Oriental melon vinyl house to control Bemisia tabaci has been studied [ 33 ]. The L(Ct) 50 and L(Ct) 90 values for EF fumigation against B. tabaci were found to be 0.41 and 1.67 g·h/m 3 , respectively, for 2 h of exposure at 29.0 °C [ 33 ].…”

“…Presently, various insect pests are controlled by EF fumigation in vinyl houses, and EF fumigation in an Oriental melon vinyl house to control Bemisia tabaci has been studied [ 33 ]. The L(Ct) 50 and L(Ct) 90 values for EF fumigation against B. tabaci were found to be 0.41 and 1.67 g·h/m 3 , respectively, for 2 h of exposure at 29.0 °C [ 33 ]. When the period of exposure to fumigation was increased to 4 h and 12 h, the L(Ct) 50 and L(Ct) 90 values also increased [ 33 ].…”

“…The L(Ct) 50 and L(Ct) 90 values for EF fumigation against B. tabaci were found to be 0.41 and 1.67 g·h/m 3 , respectively, for 2 h of exposure at 29.0 °C [ 33 ]. When the period of exposure to fumigation was increased to 4 h and 12 h, the L(Ct) 50 and L(Ct) 90 values also increased [ 33 ]. According to these results, the authors suggested that a 2 h exposure to EF fumigation is suitable to control agricultural insect pests in vinyl houses.…”

“…Oriental melons have previously been used to evaluate phytotoxicity during EF fumigation in a vinyl house [ 33 ]. The results revealed that Oriental melons did not show phytotoxic symptoms at different developmental stages under different periods of exposure (2 h, 4 h, and 12 h) to EF fumigation.…”

“…The results revealed that Oriental melons did not show phytotoxic symptoms at different developmental stages under different periods of exposure (2 h, 4 h, and 12 h) to EF fumigation. Kwon et al (2022) showed 100% control of B. tabaci under all experimental conditions, and the researchers observed no phytotoxic effects on yellow melon using EF fumigation at a concentration of 2 g/m 3 for 2 h [ 33 ]. However, the authors found severe damage to the shoots of red pepper as a comparable plant at higher humidity and over longer periods of fumigation.…”