Nitrogen trichloride and other gases as fungicides

Klotz, L

Nitrogen trichloride and other gases as fungicides

Author

L. J. Klotz

Author Affiliations

L. J. Klotz was Associate Plant Pathologist in the Citrus Experiment Station.

Publication Information

Hilgardia 10(2):27-52. DOI:10.3733/hilg.v10n02p027. January 1936.

PDF of full article, Cite this article

Abstract

Abstract does not appear. First page follows.

Introduction

Obvious advantages are to be had in the use of a suitable gas for the control of fungi and insect pests on fruits in storage rooms and in cars during shipment. Application would be relatively simple and inexpensive; the material, because of its fluidity and diffusibility would, if aided by agitators, penetrate quickly to all exposed surfaces; and at the termination of the treatment, the gas could be readily eliminated by forced ventilation. Where tight refrigerator cars are used, it is possible that the fruit might remain in a low but effective concentration of the protective gas during shipment, assuring minimum losses from decay.

Nitrogen trichloride, the gas with which this report is chiefly concerned, is used extensively in the treatment of freshly milled flour in order to mature it quickly and induce desirable baking qualities. The suggestion that the gas might be used for the control of citrus pests was made several years ago when the Field Department Laboratory of the California Fruit Growers’ Exchange and the Wallace and Tiernan Products Company began a series of coöperative experiments. At that time tests were made to determine whether or not the gas would decrease losses from the most serious organisms of decay in citrus fruits, namely, blue and green molds, or Penicillium italicum and P. digitatum.

Literature Cited

[1] Baker C. E. The effect of ozone upon apples in cold storage. Ice and Refrig. 1933. 84:402-4.

[2] Barker J. The effect of carbon dioxide on oranges [Gt. Brit.]. Dept. Sci. and Indus. Research Food Invest. Bd. Rept. 1927. 1927:33-34.

[3] Brooks C., et al. Effect of solid and gaseous carbon dioxide upon transit diseases of certain fruits and vegetables. U. S. Dept. Agr. Tech. Bul. 1932. 318:1-59.

[4] Brown W. On the germination and growth of fungi at various temperatures and in various concentrations of oxygen and of carbon dioxide. Ann. Bot. [London]. 1922. 36:257-83.

[5] Jacob H. E. The use of sulfur dioxide in shipping grapes. California Agr. Exp. Sta. Bul. 1929. 471:1-24. http://archive.org/details/useofsulfurdioxi471jaco

[6] Kidd F., West C., Kidd M. N. Gas storage of fruit [Gt. Brit.]. Dept. Sci. and Indus. Research Food Invest. Spec. Rept. 1927. 30:1-87.

[7] Ludwig C. A. The influence of illuminating gas and its constituents on certain bacteria and fungi. Amer. Jour. Bot. 1918. 5:1-31.

[8] Ludwig C. A. The effect of tobacco smoke and of methyl iodide vapor on the growth of certain microörganisms. Amer. Jour. Bot. 1918. 5:171-77.

[9] Morse W. J. The prevention of potato scab. Maine Agr. Exp. Sta. Bul. 1907. 141:81-92.

[10] Neifert I. E., Garrison G. L. Experiments on the toxic action of certain gases on insects, seed, and fungi. U. S. Dept. Agr. Dept. Bul. 1920. 893:1-16.

[11] Nelson A. E., Nedvidek R. D. Possibilities of improving storage of Navels in central California. California Citrograph. 1934. 19:178 194

[12] Oserkowsky J. Fungicidal effect on Sclerotium rolfsii of some compounds in aqueous solution and in the gaseous state. Phytopath. 1934. 24:815-19.

[13] Pentzer W. T., Asbury C. E., Hamner K. C. Effects of fumigation of different varieties of vinifera grapes with sulfur dioxide gas. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. Proc. 1933. 29(1932):339-44.

[14] Pentzer W. T., Asbury C. E., Hamner K. C. The effect of sulfur dioxide fumigation on the respiration of Emperor grapes. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. Proc. 1934. 30(1933):258-60.

[15] Pentzer W. T., Asbury C. E. Sulfur dioxide as an aid in the preservation of grapes in transit and storage. Blue Anchor. 1934. 11(8):2-4. 23

[16] Ramsey H. J. Agene gas for prevention of decay in oranges. California Fruit Growers’ Exchange Field Dept. Cir. 1934. 300:1-13. (Out of print.)

[17] Thomas C. C. Seed disinfection by formaldehyde vapor. Jour. Agr. Research. 1919. 17:33-39.

[18] Thornton N. C. The effect of carbon dioxide on fruits and vegetables in storage. Boyce Thompson Inst. Contrib. 1931. 3:219-44.

[19] Tomkins R. G. The action of certain volatile substances and gases on the growth of mould fungi. Roy. Soc. [London] Proc., ser. B. 1932. 111:210-26.

[20] Tomkins R. G., Trout S. A. The use of ammonia and ammonium salts for the prevention of green mold in citrus. Jour. Pomol. and Hort. Sci. 1931. 9:257-64.

[21] Trout S. A., Tomkins R. G. The use of acetaldehyde in the storage of fruit. Aust. Council for Sci. and Indus. Research Jour. 1931. 4:6-11.

[22] Wilcoxon F., McCallan S. E. A. The fungicidal action of sulfur. IV. Comparative toxicity of sulfur, selenium, and tellurium. Boyce Thompson Inst. Contrib. 1932. 4:415-24.

[23] Winkler A. J., Jacob H. E. The utilization of sulfur dioxide in the marketing of grapes. Hilgardia. 1925. 1(6):107-31. (Out of print.) DOI: 10.3733/hilg.v01n06p107 [CrossRef]

Also in this issue:

California egg buying systems: Factors affecting wholesale prices of eggs in principal markets influenced by dominant buying system of local area

Range grazing capacity raised: Program of seeding annual clovers, fertilization and grazing management resulted in improved forage quality and quantity

Rapid spread of alfalfa pest: Spotted alfalfa aphid infests about of state's alfalfa acreage within two years after its discovery in California

Removal of tinder in ponderosa: Prescribed burning of forest brush during the wet season by tested methods effectively reduces hazard of wildfire

Red mite on pears: New acaricides included in early spray tests for control of European red mite

Russet on bartletts: Pears from trees treated with copper or streptomycin equally free from russet

Codling moth on walnuts in '55: Downward trend in infestations of 1955 in northern California not uniform and need of control treatments in 1956 indicated

DDT residues on sweet corn: Kernels and cob of corn treated with DDT remain practically free of residues but amounts on plant restrict use as fodder

Zinc-deficient crops: Sweet corn, tomatoes, beans, and sugar beets used in tests for zinc deficiency