(Photo courtesy of Fundecitrus)
Brazil’s Fundecitrus has conducted an assessment of products based on kaolin and other minerals used for the management of Asian citrus psyllids. This research builds upon previous Fundecitrus studies, which demonstrated that processed kaolin is effective in reducing psyllid populations and the incidence of citrus greening in commercial orchards.
The update expands research into the products’ application in citrus farming as new brands enter the market. The study evaluated characteristics that influence the performance of products from various brands. Those characteristics include the pH of the spray mixture, leaf coverage, the intensity of the white coating left on the plants and resistance to rainfall.
VARIED PRODUCT PERFORMANCE
The results indicate that the products perform differently, particularly regarding their ability to coat the leaf surface and maintain that coverage after exposure to rain. These characteristics are significant because the white film formed on the trees interferes with the psyllid’s ability to recognize citrus trees, making the trees less attractive to the insect.
In the pH evaluation, products based on aluminum silicate did not cause significant changes to the spray mixture. This is an important detail because an increase in pH can compromise the efficacy of certain insecticides when applied in combination with these products.
The team also compared leaf coverage, the intensity of the white coating and the persistence of the film following a simulated 20-millimeter rainfall. The product Surround®, used as a reference in the experiments, served as a benchmark for comparing the various formulations.
The assessment of rain resistance revealed significant differences among the products. While some retained a large portion of the coating, others showed substantial loss following the simulated rainfall.
MORE INFORMATION
See a summary of the Fundecitrus kaolin product research here.
Read a recent article about related Fundecitrus research: Kaolin Works Against Psyllids, Greening and Canker.
Source: Fundecitrus
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