ELECTRON-BEAM DISINFESTATION OF CUT FLOWERS AND THEIR RADIATION TOLERANCE

Effects of electron beams on spider mite and flour beetle were slightl y smaller than those of gamma-rays at equal doses. Electron beams at 4 00 Gy killed or sterilized all the pests for cut flowers tested; spide r mite, mealybug, leaf miner, thrips and cutworm. Carnation, alstromer ia, gladiolus, tulip, statice, stock, dendrobium, prairie gentian, onc idium, campanula, gloriosa, fern, gypsophila, freesia, lobelia, tritel eia and gerbera were tolerant to electron beams at 400-600 Gy, while c hrysanthemum, rose, lily, calla, antherium, sweet pea and iris were in tolerant. Radiation-induced deterioration of chrysanthemum could be pr evented by post-irradiation treatment with commercial preservative sol utions or sugar solutions. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights r eserved.