Citrus growing is migrating to additional areas in Brazil, such as the Triângulo Mineiro region, the northwest of of São Paulo and Mato Grosso do Sul. For this reason, Fundecitrus began testing insecticides in these areas and observed that some products, to which the HLB-spreading psyllid is often resistant, performed well in the initial evaluation.
Fundecitrus researcher Marcelo Miranda said the results of these initial insecticide studies are quite positive. “Since the psyllid population is low in commercial orchards in these regions, collections were carried out in non-commercial orchards and in nearby myrtle trees. In general, high mortality of the insect was observed with insecticides from groups that have already shown good performance in other regions. The good news is that products from the pyrethroid and neonicotinoid groups also showed good effectiveness.”
These results allow citrus growers in these new regions to have greater availability of insecticides for rotation. Miranda emphasized the importance of using at least four products with different modes of action and checking the effectiveness of these insecticides before using them in the field.
New studies with insecticides will be conducted in these regions and the results will soon be released by Fundecitrus.
Brazil’s traditional Citrus Belt, where oranges have been grown for decades, is in São Paulo and West-Southwest Minas Gerais.
Earlier this year, Fundecitrus declared battle in the fight against HLB-spreading psyllids. The association’s “It’s battle time!” advertising campaign reinforces the need for rigor in psyllid control during the most critical period of the year. Between the end of winter and spring, high numbers of psyllids are captured in traps installed in Brazil’s orchards. Those high capture numbers are spurred by the favorable climate and the beginning of plant sprouting.
Fundecitrus is an association maintained by citrus growers and juice manufacturers from the state of São Paulo to foster the sustainable development of the citrus industry.
Source: Fundecitrus
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