Researchers with UF/IFAS have developed the Citrus Advisory System (CAS) to help Florida citrus growers to stay on top of postbloom fruit drop (PFD).
Postbloom fruit drop (PFD) has caused a lot of problems in the past for Florida citrus growers. Since growers are already dealing with production losses from citrus greening, keeping other diseases and pests at bay is a must. Growers can now utilize the Citrus Advisory System (CAS) to help them to stay on top of the fungicide spraying needed to combat PFD. Created by UF/IFAS researchers, CAS sends web-based alerts to growers via mobile devices letting growers know the risk for PFD based on the weather, according to a Citrus Industry article. Explore the details below.
Details on the Citrus Advisory System
UF/IFAS professor of agricultural and biological engineering in Gainesville, Clyde Fraisse, led new research to develop and test the Citrus Advisory System maintained in the article that “We believe that CAS represents an important contribution to help the citrus industry in Florida increase resource-use efficiency, reduce costs and increase profitability.”
CAS uses real-time weather data from Florida Automated Weather Network (FAWN) stations to determine the level of risk for PFD based on the weather and other conditions. PFD is spread through water, so wet conditions increase the risk. The system alerts growers with a low (green), moderate (yellow), or high (red) risk level and specific fungicide spray recommendations suitable to the level.
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