Scheduling ACP spring spray selection based on the Citrus Flowering Monitor System

Scheduling ACP spring spray selection based on the Citrus Flowering Monitor System

Report Date: 07/18/2017
Project: 850   Year: 2017
Category: ACP Vector
Author: Leo Gene Albrigo
Sponsor: Citrus Research and Development Foundation

The overall objectives of these studies were to provide predictive knowledge of the time of spring leaf flush and flowering for spring flush ACP control and the time for optimum bee foraging in. Weather, flowering and leaf flush data were collected and used to improve the Citrus Flowering Monitor System. Particular goals were to improve near-bloom temperature responses of the model and add leaf flushing time to the flowering time in the monitor system. The 10 % open flower and petal fall dates as the start and ending times of bee activity were determined. Overall the on-line �Citrus Flowering Monitor System� was improved to allow easy movement to different FAWN sites for flowering evaluations. Further, it now provides dates of initiation of growth and hours of induction to those dates, plus full bloom dates along with the graphic data. Visible budbreak, spring leaf development and flower bud development stages were monitored for three years. Data were collected in order to determine time of budbreak, leaf feather flush stage as well as the intended 10 % open flowers and 95 % petal fall. The peak flowering period was monitored to test it for the required period for minimal bee toxic ACP sprays. We discussed with growers and beekeepers the spray scheduling feasibility with concern of the grower for adequate ACP control and beekeepers for adequate safe access to citrus flowers for their bees. The active bee period was identified, but scheduling issues exist. About 55 days were required from bud break until full bloom, while 10 to 16 days were required from 10 % open flowers to full bloom and another 8 to 20 days from full bloom to 95 % petal fall, roughly a 24 to 30 day period in each flower bud cohort�s development for bee activity. Two examples, normal bloom dates at Lake Alfred in 2015 and 2016 were 2/11 and 3/3 in 2015 (20 days apart) and 3/30 and 4/10 in 2016 (11 days apart). This increased the flowering period 11 or 20 days increasing the bee active bloom period to at least 35 to 50 days. Discussions with the CREC Entomologists suggests that a better psyllid control strategy may be to control (spray for) adult psyllids at budbreak and try to get maximum control into the bloom period (about 55 days until full bloom) and then use bee friendly pesticides for psyllid control until the bloom period is over. With two growers in the Ft. Meade area, using 4 blocks, psyllids were monitored after spraying at budbreak. Spray control of psyllids from one spray at budbreak lasted over 30 days. A second spray then continued control into the bloom period. Monitoring budbreak of the first summer flush also appears to be a good second window for effective psyllid control of the second synchronized flush each year. An aerial spray at spring and first summer budbreak followed by second sprays could provide good protection of the 2 major flushes with just four sprays.


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