- Author: Jasmin Del Toro
On August 25, Lindcove Research Center hosted the first field event of year 2021! A field day was dedicated to discussing information on citrus thrips biology, damage, and management options available. Event kicked off by asking questions to the 42 participants about their pest management needs. Dr. Sandipa Gautam talked about citrus thrips biology and fruit scarring damage on different citrus varieties. Data on citrus thrips resistance to Delegate showed that resistance in San Joaquin Valley populations of citrus thrips is increasing and this is confirmed by PCA and grower observations. This year seemed to be a problem year for citrus thrips, with growers spraying up to five times to control thrips. Dr. Beth Grafton-Cardwell discussed citrus thrips trials screening different chemicals and emphasized the importance of using different class of pesticides for resistant management in citrus thrips. Participants observed thrips and the scarring damage caused by citrus thrips.
Dr. Sandipa Gautam lecturing about citrus thrips
Dr. Grafton Cardwell talking about management options for citrus thrips
Participants observing citrus thrips
Observing thrips scarring and collecting percentage scar data for tangos and clementine's
- Author: Therese Kapaun
A new planting of 500 Tango mandarin trees is scheduled for this month and field preparations are well underway. Senior Agricultural Technician Jose Hernandez uses heavy equipment to dig a trench for the irrigation line.
The new orchard will provide trees for insecticide trials for Dr. Beth Grafton-Cardwell's citrus IPM program. She plans to study the uptake and impact of systemic insecticides on various pests and the growth and development of young trees. Beth is an IPM Specialist and Research Entomologist with the University of California, as well as the Director of Lindcove Research and Extension Center. For more than 20 years Beth has been carrying out pesticide trials to determine the efficacy and suitability of selected chemical formulations for use against citrus pests in California. To learn about key pests of citrus and pest management tools and information, log on or subscribe to Beth's Citrus Bug Blog.
The trees were propagated here at Lindcove REC. Center staff grew the Carrizo rootstocks from seed in the greenhouse, and budded the trees with budwood purchased from the Citrus Clonal Protection Program.
