A UF/IFAS associate professor of entomology shared how Florida growers can enhance their ACP management sprays.
The recent Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo saw a presentation by UF/IFAS associate professor of entomology, Jawwad Qureshi, l on enhancing ACP management sprays, according to a Citrus Industry article. ACP, or Asian citrus psyllids, spread the bacteria that causes citrus greening, also known as HLB, and research has shown that it is still important to knock back their populations in Florida citrus groves. Qureshi shared that utilizing dormant sprays and perimeter sprays have been shown to have a greater impact on ACP populations over typical growing season spray options. See the details below.
Dormant ACP Management Sprays
“ACP adults overwinter,” Qureshi shared, meaning they are ready to feed on young shoots that are growing in the spring. He maintained that “dormant winter sprays reduce psyllids significantly,” and should be used in addition to spraying during the growing season.
Perimeter Sprays
Qureshi advised “that perimeter sprays kill psyllids, while untreated grove interiors provide refuge for natural ACP enemies.” Adding perimeter sprays to your ACP management sprays “can provide integrated and sustainable psyllid management at reduced cost.”
The evidence for perimeter sprays includes:
- “ACP showed a strong preference for perimeter trees.
- Predators and parasitoids were common in the perimeter and interior of blocks.
- Psyllids suffered similar levels of natural suppression in the perimeter and interior.
- The higher concentration of ACPs in the perimeter than in the interior of the blocks and the influence of biological control in both zones suggest that spraying the perimeter will be a useful tactic for suppressing psyllids while sparing the interior as a refuge for beneficial organisms.”
Griffin Fertilizer is committed to helping both growers and ranchers make sound agronomic and economic decisions in order to maximize the health of their grove and pasture. As a full-service custom dry & liquid fertilizer blender and crop protection product distributor, we will continue our mission to further advance Florida agriculture. For questions or concerns about your farm or pasture, contact us and one of our team will be in touch.