Achievements of Modified Atmospheres and Fumigation in Israel

摘要

Biogenerated modified atmospheres (MAs) successfully replaced fumigants for insect control and for quality preservation of stored products in Israel. CO2 based MA was used in specially constructed rigid structures for the preservation of organic wheat. The rigid metal structure was equipped with pressure relief valve and gas purge system. Plastic structures suitable for longterm storage systems, as well as intermediate storage of grain in bags or in bulk have been developed and applied in Israel. These storage systems based on the hermetic principle are : 1) Bunker storage for conservation of large bulks of 10 000 to 15 000 tonnes;2) Flexible silos supported by a weldmesh frame of 50-1 000tonnes capacity for storage of grain in bulk or in bags; 3) Liners for enclosing stacks of 10-50 tonnes capacity termed storage cubes, and designed for storage at the farmercooperative and small trader level. Insect control and quality preservation of stored cocoa beans was achieved as a methyl bromide alteruative,by employing the use of biogenerated MAs. A method of treatment based on hermetic storage against the large narcissus fly (Merodon eques) was developed. The MA is created due to the respiration of the bulbs that deplete the O2, thus controlling the maggots of M. eques. This method fully replaced the methyl bromide for treatment of narcissus bulbs for quarantine applications. Nitidulid beetles were shown to be sensitive to low O2 or high CO2 concentrations for disinfestation of dry fruits. Special portable chambers made of flexible tarp-like sheeting provide the benefit of treatment in any location with low pressure treatments. Under vacuum, the chamber wall shrinks over the commodity indicating retention of vacuum. Uses of these flexible chambers for narcissus bulbs,dry fruits or museum artifacts are in current use. For the disinfestation of dates, ethyl formate is being successfully tested to replace methyl bromide.