Below you'll see everything we could locate for your search of “biological control”
A new initiative aims to strengthen the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences’ (UF/IFAS) ability to respond rapidly when a new invasive pest or plant disease threatens. Edward “Gilly” Evans, director of the UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center (TREC), launched the Challenge 250 initiative. Named in recognition of the nation’s 250th anniversary, it aims to raise …
A naturally occurring predatory soil mite may one day become another tool for helping citrus growers manage citrus nematodes without relying solely on chemical controls. That’s according to a new study published in the journal Biology by Mahmoud M. Al-Azzazy and Suloiman M. Al-Rehiayani of the Department of Plant Protection, College of Agriculture and Food at Qassim University in Saudi …
Huanglongbing (HLB, or citrus greening) disease has been the focus of an enormous amount of scientific research over the past two decades. A new study — “Bibliometric Mapping of Citrus Greening Disease Reflecting Trends, Shifts and Focus Areas” — takes a unique look at that research. It analyzes thousands of scientific publications to identify where scientists have concentrated their efforts …
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR) recently issued an Extension advisory regarding citrus mealybug. Citrus mealybug feeds on plant sap and is commonly found in protected areas of the tree, including under the calyx of fruit, in clusters of leaves and within dense canopy growth. Mealybug infestations can reduce tree vigor, contaminate fruit with honeydew and sooty mold, …
By Lukasz Stelinski As summer takes hold in June, Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) populations are often high coinciding with availability of new flush. This is also a time when natural enemies can provide meaningful ACP suppression. Growers can improve biological control by making management decisions that help predators and parasitoids survive and function in the grove. MANAGE ANTS One important …
By Lukasz Stelinski For many Florida citrus growers, pest management has become closely tied to Asian citrus psyllid control. That is understandable. The psyllid vectors the bacterium associated with citrus greening, and long-term disease pressure has pushed many operations toward frequent insecticide use. But frequent spraying comes at a cost. The more often the same chemistry is used, the faster …
By Mongi Zekri Editor’s note: This article grants one continuing education unit (CEU) in the Core category toward the renewal of a Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services restricted-use pesticide license when the accompanying test is submitted and approved. A minimum score of 70% is required to receive credit. Pesticides should not be considered the first line of defense against …
Control of HLB-spreading Asian citrus psyllids (ACP) can be enhanced with dormant winter sprays and a focus on spraying grove perimeters, according to Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo presenter Jawwad Qureshi. Qureshi is an associate professor of entomology at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Southwest Florida Research and Education Center. DORMANT SPRAYS In making the …
At the recent Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo, Ozgur Batuman reminded seminar attendees there is no silver bullet for HLB management. Instead, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researcher proposes that growers integrate several tools for the management of HLB. These tools include a variety of ways to control HLB-spreading psyllids; oxytetracycline (OTC) trunk injection; …
An August citrus mealybug (CMB) pest memo released by University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources warned that CMB activity typically peaks during the summer months. Highlights from the memo follow: In August, it is critical to access both pest pressure and natural enemy activity. This is a crucial period for making informed decisions that support biological control and avoid …
A recent Citrus Industry article reported on Brazil’s Fundecitrus hosting a delegation of agriculture leaders from California. The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) also reported on the trip, which included other venues in addition to Fundecitrus. Highlights from the CDFA report follow. During the trip to Brazil, the California delegation visited farms, packinghouses, research facilities and business incubators …
By Jawwad A. Qureshi The impact of the Asian citrus psyllid continues to intensify through devastation of its vectored huanglongbing (HLB) disease. Although there is no permanent solution for HLB yet, psyllid suppression reduces its impact. Chemical control is the most implemented method. Its strategic use helps reduce psyllid resistance and collateral damage to non-target organisms, including beneficial organisms needed …
Brown garden snails (Cornu aspersum) can reach incredible population densities in California citrus orchards if left unmanaged. More than 1,000 snails per tree have been documented in some cases, according to Mark Hoddle, University of California, Riverside biological control specialist. To help growers deal with this problem, Hoddle recently participated in a Citrus Research Board webinar. He presented information on …
Trunk injection of oxytetracycline (OTC) to treat HLB is widely regarded as one of the biggest breakthroughs in the long fight against the disease. After two seasons of treatments, where do Florida citrus growers stand when it comes to the treatment? Tara Wade answers that question in the latest episode of the All In For Citrus podcast. The University of …
By Jawwad A. Qureshi Several insect pests and mites colonize citrus crops in traditional open orchards. Most pests are localized and are suppressed by predators, parasitoids and entomopathogens to levels that are not economically damaging to the crops. The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) is the primary vector of huanglongbing (HLB) disease. Despite biological and chemical control of ACP, growing a …
The disease branch rot is worrying Brazilian citrus growers because of its recent increased occurrence in orchards. Branch rot is also called peduncular rot, branch gummosis or bot gummosis. The main reason for the disease’s occurrence is stress caused to citrus plants by high temperatures, severe periods of drought and attacks from other diseases, such as greening. Fungi of the …
By Maegan Beatty During the recent citrus insect management workshop at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Citrus Research and Education Center, Larry Duncan, a nematology professor, discussed the sting nematode. First recognized in the 1980s as a pest of young citrus trees, the sting nematode has adapted to coarse, sandy soils. The pest feeds at …
Nelson Wulff of Fundecitrus recently signed a technical cooperation agreement between Fundecitrus and the National Center of Genetic Resources (Cenargen/Embrapa) for a project to develop biotechnological solutions for HLB. Wulff, coordinator of the Fundecitrus Biotechnology and Diagnostics Laboratory, signed the agreement at the 50th anniversary ceremony of Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology in Brazil. Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology has …
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) expects Costa Rican orange production to increase approximately 11% in 2024–25, to 250,000 metric tons. Production in 2023–24 was lower than expected at 225,000 metric tons as a result of erratic rainfall patterns associated with the El Niño weather phenomenon. The area planted in oranges is expected to remain unchanged …
Florida-based scientists published an article in Microorganisms indicating citrus-derived endophytes have potential for managing HLB. Endophytes are endosymbionts, often bacteria or fungi, which live within a plant for at least part of its life cycle without causing apparent disease. The authors of the article are Jessica Dominguez, Krishnaswamy Jayachandran and Kateel G. Shetty of Florida International University, and U.S. Department …
