Evaluation of dicarboximide residues in cold‐stored grapes exposed to field and post‐harvest 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.