Pest Management Science (2017) 73, 904-916
James A. Tansey, Pilar Vanaclocha, Cesar Monzo, Moneen Jones and Philip A. Stansly (2017)
Costs and benefits of insecticide and foliar nutrient applications to huanglongbing-infected citrus trees
Pest Management Science 73 (5), 904-916
Abstract:
BACKGROUND
The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), vectors Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, which causes huanglongbing (HLB). In Florida, HLB incidence is approaching 100% statewide. Yields have decreased and production costs have increased since 2005. Despite this, some growers are maintaining a level of production and attribute this in part to aggressive psyllid control and foliar nutrition sprays. However, the value of these practices is debated. A replicated field study was initiated in 2008 in a commercial block of 'Valencia' sweet orange trees to evaluate individual and combined effects of foliar nutrition and ACP control. Results from 2012–2016 are presented.
RESULTS
Insecticides consistently reduced ACP populations. However, neither insecticide nor nutrition applications significantly influenced HLB incidence or PCR copy number in mature trees. In reset trees, infection continued to build and reached 100% in all treatments. Greatest yields (kg fruit ha-1) and production (kg solids ha-1) were obtained from trees receiving both insecticides and foliar nutrition.
CONCLUSION
All treatments resulted in production and financial gains relative to controls. However, material and application costs associated with the nutrition component offset these gains, resulting in lesser benefits than insecticides applied alone.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Philip A. Stansly, Moneen M. Jones, James A. Tansey
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
control - general
damage/losses/economics
Pest and/or beneficial records:
Beneficial | Pest/Disease/Weed | Crop/Product | Country | Quarant.
|
---|---|---|---|---|
Liberibacter asiaticus | Citrus (genus) | U.S.A. (SE) | ||
Diaphorina citri | Citrus (genus) | U.S.A. (SE) |