VIEW ARTICLE

Detection and Translocation of Benomyl in Postharvest-treated Peaches and Nectarines. Douglas J. Phillips, Plant Pathologist, Market Quality and Transportation Research Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2021 South Peach Avenue, Fresno, California 93727; Phytopathology 65:255-258. Accepted for publication 25 September 1974. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-65-255.

Diffusion-plate bioassays with Monilinia fructicola detected benomyl residues on peaches and nectarines treated after harvest with benomyl and 2,6-dichloro-4-nitroaniline suspended in emulsified fruit wax. The weight of wax-fungicide mixture per treated fruit was positively correlated with the inhibition zone of the bioassay and was used to estimate the amount of benomyl residue on stone fruits. Benomyl estimated to be 2-4 µg/g, based on the fresh weight of the fruit, controlled brown rot on inoculated peaches treated experimentally, and on noninoculated peaches treated commercially in packing houses in California. Decay of inoculated peaches was controlled effectively during 3 weeks of storage at 4 C and during subsequent ripening at 21 C. The assay of residues upon or within these fruits indicated that benomyl or a derivative of this fungicide was translocated 4 mm into the peach mesocarp during storage.