Donahaye, E.J., Navarro, S., Bell, C., Jayas, D., Noyes, R., Phillips, T.W. [Eds.] (2007) Proc. Int. Conf. Controlled Atmosphere and Fumigation in Stored Products, Gold-Coast Australia. 8-13th August 2004. FTIC Ltd. Publishing, Israel. pp. 477-484 STUDIES OF PHOSPHINE AS A FUMIGANT FOR DRIED FRUIT UNDER TARPAULIN COVERS A.G. FERIZLI 1* , M. EMEKCI 1 , S. TÜTÜNCÜ 1 AND S. NAVARRO 2 1 Ankara University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Plant Protection, 06110 Ankara / Turkey * E-mail: ferizli@agri.ankara.edu.tr 2 Department of Food Science, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, P.O.Box 6, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel ABSTRACT The purpose of the study was to evaluate the use of phosphine (FUMI-CEL TM , a magnesium phosphide formulation) to control dried fig pests in stacks under tarpaulin covers. Three stacks built-up with perforated plastic boxes were prepared for about 50 tons of dried figs. The stacks were covered with tarps which were sealed with sand- snakes to the concrete floor. The stacks were dosed at 1, 2, and 3 g PH 3 /tonne and the fumigations continued for 7 days at prevailing temperatures during the dried fig harvesting season in the Aegean region of Turkey. Trials were also repeated in the cold season. The fumigations were conducted at the dried fig processing and storage facility of TARIS to test their effectiveness against Ephestia cautella (eggs, larvae, and pupae), Carpoglyphus lactis (mixed stages) and Oryzaephilus surinamensis (eggs, larvae, pupae and adults). Test insects were retrieved from the stacks on a daily basis after 3 days of fumigations. During the trials, gas concentrations were monitored by an analyzer equipped with an electrochemical detector from different locations within the stacks and temperatures were recorded inside the stacks using T-type thermocouples (Hobo ® ). All insect bio-assays were retained for two weeks after removal from the stacks. Complete insect mortality of the test insects and mites was achieved after three days of exposure. The trials demonstrated that phosphine holds promise as a replacement for methyl bromide fumigations against the dried fruit pests.