Citrus scientists with Texas A&M University have developed a citrus planting method that combats diaprepes root weevil.
Citrus scientists at Texas A&M University have developed a planting method for citrus that combats diaprepes root weevil and comes with many other advantages, according to a Citrus Industry article. The researchers were looking for a planting option for citrus that was “an effective non-chemical method to physically block the circular foliage-to-underground lifecycle of diaprepes.” The planting method they came up with also had many other benefits. Read about the details below.
The Planting Method for Combating Diaprepes Root Weevil
According to the article, the citrus trees were “planted over raised earthen beds” and then the tree root zones were covered with black plastic mesh; a video highlighting the planting method and the research is available. The black plastic mesh disrupts the life cycle of the diaprepes root weevil whereby the adult feeds and lays eggs on the leaves, the larvae fall to the ground and tunnel into the soil to feed on the roots, and the adults emerge to climb back up the tree.
Additional Benefits
The scientists found that the planting method had benefits beyond just combating the weevil. The additional benefits include:
- “Vastly improved tree growth and root health
- Earlier fruit set
- Higher quality fruit
- Substantial water savings
- Superior tree health to help manage greening disease, phytophthora and other pests and diseases
- Weed and vine control”
The article shared that “grower and Texas Citrus Mutual President Dale Murden says he has been in Florida where implementation of the Texas A&M planting method was viewed “with great excitement … Some of these new planting designs I think are going to help them (Florida growers).””
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