UF/IFAS shared citrus diseases that should be on Florida citrus growers’ radars due to the freeze event in late January.
In our last blog, we shared UF/IFAS alerts about melanose, a fungal disease that will likely take advantage of dead vegetation left after the freeze. In a UF/IFAS Tip of the Week article, researchers also shared a few other citrus diseases that will also likely benefit from the aftermath of the late January freeze event. See the details below.
Other Citrus Diseases to Watch For
UF/IFAS experts shared the following citrus diseases that Florida citrus growers should scout for and/or treat in the coming weeks and months due to the freeze:
Greasy Spot
“Leaves with greasy spot symptoms are more susceptible to cold damage. They will fall, contributing to more leaf litter than usual. It is highly likely that the greasy spot pressure will be greater than usual. On most oranges and tangerines, oil applications in June and July will keep the leaves protected. If you are applying copper for melanose at that time, it will also cover greasy spot.”
Citrus Canker
“Canker is likely to create headaches with all the vulnerable new growth that will push this season, particularly if rain occurs when the tissue is vulnerable. The copper for melanose will also keep this suppressed somewhat, but keep in mind that leaves grow out of their protective coating quickly and could be vulnerable to infection within a few days. What becomes lesions on leaves will move to the fruit later in the season.”
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