HINOKITIOL (BETA-THUJAPLICIN), FOR POSTHARVEST DECAY CONTROL ON GALIA MELONS

'Galia' melons (Cucumis melo cv. Reticulatus) exported from Israel to Europe are coated with wax containing 2000 ppm imazalil to control decay-causing fungi (Alternaria alternata and Fusarium spp). The residual level on the fruit is 3-5 ppm of imazalil, and exceeds the tolerance levels of some countries (i.e., 0.5 ppm). In this study we test an alternative treatment to imazalil. Hinokitiol (beta-thujaplicin), a volatile oil extracted from the Japanese Hiba tree (Thujopsis dolabrata), at a concentration of 750 ppm in the wax, controlled the decay-causing fungi and had no phytotoxic effect on the fruit.