EVALUATION OF DICARBOXIMIDE RESIDUES IN COLD-STORED GRAPES EXPOSED TO FIELD AND POSTHARVEST TREATMENTS

Dicarboximide fungicides were used in field treatments as well as in post-harvest fumigations on cold-stored table grapes. They proved to be highly effective against gray mould, a major disease during storage or transport of grapes, and a valuable alternative to sulphur dioxide within one month after harvesting. Residues of the fungicides were determined through gas-chromatographic analysis on grapes field-sprayed with dichlozolinate, iprodione, procymidone or vinclozolin, and on grapes exposed to post-harvest treatments with new smoke formulations of procymidone and vinclozolin. In most cases, residue levels were lower than those allowed by Italian sanitary laws. Post-harvest fumigations caused only a slight increase of residue levels as compared to field applications