Gautam, R.D. 2003 Fumigation of fresh agricultural produce with magnesium phosphide for quarantine security.. Indian Journal of Entomology 65(2): 193-201.
Notes: In an experiment, conducted at the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute Field Demonstration Center in Grenada, the use of magnesium phosphide at 5 g/barrel (100 x 58 cm) with the exposure period of 10-24 h was found to be the most effective in providing 100% mortality to all the stages of pink mealy bug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus, besides a dozen of other associated insect species with the fumigated commodities under prevailing conditions of 26-31 deg C. Interestingly, no phytotoxicity after fumigation with magnesium phosphide was observed on 100 fresh agricultural produce, except for ginger lily [Alpinia purpurata] flowers. The shelf-life of these produce (including cut flowers, fresh fruits, vegetables, salad and seasonings, and planting materials) and other quality parameters like taste, colouration and flavour of the fruits were also not affected.