Researchers from Sacramento State and the University of California, Riverside are requesting input from citrus industry members to help examine the economics of Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) and huanglongbing (HLB) management in California citrus groves.
The research team is looking for growers, advisors and other citrus industry members in California to provide input on overall knowledge of ACP and HLB, how they obtain information on the pest and disease, and how this might influence grove management practices. What is learned from this survey will help advance an economic analysis, contribute to overall understanding of ACP and HLB management, and improve the design and effectiveness of outreach and Extension resources to manage ACP and HLB.
If you are interested in providing input for forthcoming research, please complete the survey here.
This study is part of a U.S. Department of Agriculture Emergency Citrus Disease Research and Extension-funded project investigating microbial biocontrol to help in the fight against Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, the bacterium that causes HLB.
As the threat of HLB and ACP continue to put pressure on the commercial citrus industry, researchers across California are working to find the best treatments for this deadly disease. In a previous news release, Victoria Hornbaker, director of the Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Division said that while these developments are promising to the future of the citrus industry, “It will take some time — perhaps years — before the potential treatment is on the market. In the meantime, it is important for industry members to remain vigilant in implementing best practices in the fight against huanglongbing and the Asian citrus psyllid.”
When answering survey questions, it is not necessary to look up records or calculate precise figures. The survey takes approximately 20 minutes to complete. All answers will be kept anonymous, and results will be presented in aggregate.
For questions about the survey or the research project, contact Jonathan Kaplan (kaplanj@csus.edu) at California State University, Sacramento.
Source: Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Program