Brazil’s Fundecitrus has launched the Insecticide Rotation Guide for Psyllid Control. Its aim is to help producers control the insect vector of citrus greening, highlighting the importance of proper rotation of products to avoid the selection of resistant psyllids.
The resistance of insects and mites to pesticides can compromise the effectiveness of products and, consequently, the control of the pest or disease. To avoid this problem, the recommendation is to carry out resistance management by rotating products with at least three to four different modes of action.
“The repeated use of the same insecticide can increase the proportion or frequency of resistant psyllids in an orchard. Therefore, interspersing products with different modes of action is so important, as the psyllids that resist the application of the first product will be controlled by the action of the following products,” said Fundecitrus researcher Marcelo Miranda.
With the significant increase in the psyllid population from 2019 and, consequently, with the increase in the incidence of citrus greening in Brazil observed in 2021, it is necessary to pay close attention to the management of the insect vector of the disease, Miranda warned.
“One of the causes of this insect population increase in recent years was the inadequate control of the psyllid within the property, due, for example, to insufficient frequency of spraying in adult orchards, uneven or insufficient spraying in the canopy and lack of insecticide rotation. Furthermore, the climatic conditions were also favorable for the reproduction and dispersion of insects,” he said.
The Insecticide Rotation Guide for Psyllid Control (in Portuguese) is available for free download here.
Rotation of psyllid control products is also recommended by University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researchers, as indicated in this Citrus Industry article.
Fundecitrus is an association maintained by citrus growers and juice manufacturers from Brazil’s State of São Paulo to foster the sustainable development of the citrus industry.
Source: Fundecitrus
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