Biological control of avocado stem-end mould

Stem-end mould is caused by saprophytic fungi. It does not generally affect the pulp, but the aesthetic damage to the fruit is a source of quality complaints and therefore economic losses. The problem is well controlled by prochloraz, but this pesticide is on its way out, due to being a suspected endocrine disruptor (MRL at detection threshold in the USA, and evaluation procedure in progress in certain EU27 countries). Citrosol recently published a study showing that their treatment product Citrocide PC, produced from peracetic acid and oxygenated water, and usable in organic agriculture, provides superior protection to prochloraz (15 % of fruit affected after 29 days, at a temperature of 5°C, as opposed to 20 % with prochloraz, and 96 % with the untreated control), with no potentially harmful residue problems. The study can be viewed on the Citrosol site.