Low-dose methyl bromide fumigation of plums (SF18000)

What was it all about?

Building on the introduction of low-dose methyl bromide export protocols for nectarines and peaches – backed by research through investment Low dose methyl bromide against fruit flies to improve market access for summerfruit (SF12016) – this project looked at this fumigation approach for use with Australian plums. While plums currently have access to China with cold disinfestation, a fumigation pathway would allow the use of airfreight to better target market opportunities.

The researchers conducted large-scale trials on the use of low-dose methyl bromide as a post-harvest disinfestation fumigant for Queensland fruit fly on plums, with this information now available to the Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment in market access protocol negotiations.