The Florida citrus industry is continuing to make strides to combat greening disease and the Asian citrus psyllid. Due to the thorough examination of the psyllid, extensive knowledge has been gained and implemented to refine existing control strategies of combating the insect in mature and new plantings.
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| Photo source: http://citrusrdf.org/ |
This results in lower psyllid levels which are evidenced by state and federal scouting teams as part of the Citrus Health Management (CHRP) program. “Citrus Health Management Areas are established through coordination with growers, researcher, the CHRP program, and others have assisted in seeking broader impact of vector control,” explains Harold Browning of the Citrus Research and Development Foundation. “This is achieved through well-timed coordinated sprays, again relying on results of research on choice of materials and time of season for application.”
Another method currently being implemented is thermal therapy which captures the sunlight in tree enclosures. This therapy shows promise and is being adopted by more growers of small trees. “Current trials involving scaling-up thermal therapy is used to reach larger tree sizes and to treat more trees within a time interval. New equipment is being evaluated in several locations.” states Browning. “Engineers have also advanced the method of using steam to achieve equivalent reduction in CLas bacterial titer in HLB-infected trees.”
Along with current steam and thermal methods, field trials of bactericides are underway. “Grower cooperators testing this method help to determine if the materials have an impact on HLB in infected trees and to characterize responses.” New tolerant rootstocks have also been licensed to Florida Citrus nurseries who are producing plants for field plantings. “Many growers are incorporating small numbers of these new rootstocks in new plantings,” declares Browning, “To ensure effectiveness, the CRDF has encouraged three commercial scale side-by-side comparisons of some of these rootstocks.”
Source: Kayleigh Csaszar (www.freshplaza.com)
Another method currently being implemented is thermal therapy which captures the sunlight in tree enclosures. This therapy shows promise and is being adopted by more growers of small trees. “Current trials involving scaling-up thermal therapy is used to reach larger tree sizes and to treat more trees within a time interval. New equipment is being evaluated in several locations.” states Browning. “Engineers have also advanced the method of using steam to achieve equivalent reduction in CLas bacterial titer in HLB-infected trees.”
Along with current steam and thermal methods, field trials of bactericides are underway. “Grower cooperators testing this method help to determine if the materials have an impact on HLB in infected trees and to characterize responses.” New tolerant rootstocks have also been licensed to Florida Citrus nurseries who are producing plants for field plantings. “Many growers are incorporating small numbers of these new rootstocks in new plantings,” declares Browning, “To ensure effectiveness, the CRDF has encouraged three commercial scale side-by-side comparisons of some of these rootstocks.”
Source: Kayleigh Csaszar (www.freshplaza.com)
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