1) Evaluation of screens impregnated with insecticide barriers. This experiment has already been completed (see annual report sent on 2/2/12). 2) Evaluate the impact of treatment of plants with systemic insecticides on the transmission of Ca. L. asiaticus by starved psyllids. The transmission trials have already been completed. PCR was performed to test the infectivity of psyllids used in this experiment. About 75% of the samples tested were positive. PCR also was done on the tested-plants. However, 10 months after inoculation, no plants tested were positive for the presence of Ca. L. asiaticus, including the control (untreated plants). The plants have been assessing again by PCR. 3) Determination of the concentration of pesticides present in the sap of the xylem and phloem of citrus plants and the lethal concentration to D. citri. The experiment has already started. The systemic insecticides are being applied on plants in the field and the extraction of plant sap will start in a few weeks.
1) Evaluation of screens impregnated with insecticide barriers. As explained in previous reports, the experiment is being conducted in two farms located in the State of Sao Paulo. In the farm located in Sao Manuel 24 evaluations were performed. The population of psyllids collected in areas with and without screen impregnated with insecticide barriers was similar (P>0,05/Wilcoxon test), the average psyllids (‘ standard error) was 0,73’0,28 and 0,76’0,28, respectively. In Descalvado 22 evaluations were performed, in this farm a larger population of psyllids were collected, 11,72’5,31 and 13,45’6,66 in areas with and without barrier, respectively, however there was no statistical difference (P>0,05/Wilcoxon test). Due to the lack of difference in the capture of psyllids in areas with and without barrier, sample screens of both farms, were taken to determine the amount of insecticide present. Initially the screen showed an amount of 4 g of deltamethrin / kg of the screen. After 8 (Sao Manuel) and 5 (Descalvado) months in the field the amount of insecticide was detected: 0.28 and 0.53 g deltamethrin / kg of the screen, respectively. After one year in the field new samples were taken and will be sent to determine the amount of insecticide present. In this same period, the structures (support of the screens) collapsed 2 and 3 times, in Sao manuel and Descalvado, respectively. Due to these problems and there is no difference between the treatments, we decided to end this experiment. 2) Evaluate the impact of treatment of plants with systemic insecticides on the transmission of Ca. L. asiaticus by starved psyllids. The application of insecticides has been performed and the transmission trials are underway. 3) Determination of the concentration of pesticides present in the sap of the xylem and phloem of citrus plants and the lethal concentration to D. citri This experiment will start in late March. The experimental area has been selected; the equipment for the extraction of plant sap is being imported and should arrive in February.
The present study was established in the spring of 2012 at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center (SWFREC), of the University of Florida, in Immokalee, Collier County. The study will be conducted on citrus experimental groves, of Valencia orange of one and two years old, 5 to 6 years old and 8 to 10 years old. Field work is going to be concentrated on the spring and summer months, because IMD is applied during the peak production of new leaves (also refer to as ‘new flush’), which occur during the onset of rains (spring) and heavy precipitation months (summer). The soils in the SWFREC are poorly drained, with sandy textures, and they developed in ‘Flatwoods’ vegetation. Initial characterization of experimental plots was done in two steps: (i) Disturbed and undisturbed soil samples using bucket augers and core-sampler from five depths (0-15 cm, 15-30 cm, 30-45 cm, 45-60 cm, and 60-75cm) for describing the basic soil chemical and physical properties: organic carbon content, pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), particle-size distribution, wet bulk density, dry bulk density, saturated hydraulic conductivity, and moisture release curves. These samples represent initial conditions before the application of IMD and Br treatments. (ii) After the initial application of IMD treatments and the Br tracer (using KBr) were take disturbed soil samples using bucket augers at the five depths mentioned above. The frequency of sampling will be ruled mainly by precipitation events and irrigation scheduling. The traditional ‘batch’ or ‘slurry’ technique will be used to determine the partition coefficient (KD) in soils. Five levels of IMD standard solutions (0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 mg L-1) were prepared in deionized water with a supporting electrolyte (0.01 M CaCl2). Air-dried soil samples from 0-15, 15-30 and 30-45 cm depth were used to determine adsorption equilibrium was attained by shaking 24 hours. IMD equilibrium concentrations (Ce) were determined using an Agillent HPLC with UV detection. The extraction procedure for IMD in soils that we have used for Florida was developed using 10 g of equivalent dry soil and 10 ml of HPLC grade acetonitrile and water (80:20). The degradation or disappearance rates for IMD in Florida soils are unknown. Soil samples were analyzed for moisture content, in order to spike samples triplicates with an initial concentration of 10 .g of IMD per gram of dry soil (based on recommended application rates in citrus groves of Florida). Each set of spiked samples (from 5 depths, 3 replicates per depth) 10 g of equivalent dry soil were maintained in centrifuge tubes with a constant gravimetric moisture content of 0.1. A parallel set of autoclaved samples (120 ‘C, 30 min) were spiked as mentioned, 1 replicate per depth (n = 5) per extraction date, and frozen. The extracts were analyzed immediately using HPLC with UV detection, following the conditions mentioned. Mass balance was calculated for the parent compound. The first-order degradation rate equation will be used to calculate the half- life in soils (t1/2).
The objective of this project is to investigate three questions: 1) whether HLB symptoms or boron/zinc deficiencies alone affect how ACP responds to citrus; 2) whether feeding patterns by adults, length and location of feeding, are altered by HLB infection or boron/zinc deficiencies; and 3) whether different strains of Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus (Las) differentially affect the response of ACP to citrus. In other pathogen/host/vectors systems, such as that with Ca. Phytoplasma mali and Cacopsylla picta (the apple psyllid), the pathogen manipulates the plant host metabolism so that diseased plants become more attractive to the psyllid vector, thereby spreading the pathogen more rapidly than if no plant host manipulation occurred. Since nutrient deficiencies are often associated with HLB in citrus, we wished to confirm that the reported attraction of Diaphorina citri to HLB symptomatic plants over uninfected plants was due to changes in host metabolism by the pathogen rather than physiological changes due to poor nutrition. Unfortunately, the the boron and zinc nutrient deficiencies started to revert in the last quarter of 2011. We think that the reverse osmosis system was not longer working because of the high salt and mineral content of the source water. To rectify this problem, we have abandoned the reverse osmosis water purification system and have started to truck distilled water to the greenhouse to water the trees. Since we have begun the distilled water treatment, the trees have slowly begun to revert to a nutrient deficient state. We expect to take a leaf sample in the next month to confirm this. We were frustrated with this development but are relieved that it appeared to be relatively easily solved. The rest of the project is waiting on nutrient symptom development. HLB symptom development continues in our plants with the different HLB strains. As soon as strong deficiency symptoms develop, then psyllid testing for objective 1 and 2 will commence and is expected to move rapidly. We are also interested to determine if strains of Las will have any effect on the attractiveness of trees to D. citri. It has been reported that Las strains have varying levels of virulence and symptomatology (Tsai et al. 2008). We have analyzed DNA samples from HLB positive trees from Polk and Highlands counties as well as the ‘Smoak Grove’ CREC greenhouse strain by PCR and sequencing. Three putative strains of Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus (Las) were found with 5 (CREC greenhouse isolate), 13, and 15 tandem repeats of DNA in the LAPGP locus described by Chen et al. 2010 and have identified sources of budwood. Cloning and sequencing of loci including the b-operon, OMP (outer membrane protein) gene and phage DNA polymerase to support the differentiation of the three strains is complete (Bastianel et al. 2005; Lin et al. 2008; Okuda et al. 2005; Tomimura et al. 2009). Results from sequence analysis clearly defines two strains based on conserved mutations in the b-operon sequence, matching strains from Japan and Vietnam and a strain from Vietnam for the northern and southern Florida strains, respectively.
The intent of this study is to examine the effect of windbreaks, copper sprays to reduce infection, and leafminer treatments to determine there individual and combined effects on control of citrus canker in Brazilian commercial citrus and the applicability of this strategy to the US commercial citrus industry. A preliminary study was published in Crop Protection 27:807-813, that indicated that copper and insecticide applications significantly reduced canker infection but windbreaks did not have any effect. As described previously, a new series of plots with much more extensive windbreaks were established via a USDA/ARS specific cooperative agreement with the University of Sao Paulo, and the Brazilian cooperator at an IAPAR farm, in Xambr’, Parana state, using, 2-yr-old P’ra on Rangpur lime. Windbreaks were completed and plants were be established in Mid April 2010, but severe winds damaged the windbreaks during two storm events. These windbreaks have been reinforced and rebuilt. This delayed the experiment which is now scheduled to begin in March 2012. The following treatments will then be applied: 1) no sprays (control), 2) Cu++ sprays to reduce citrus canker incidence, and 3) insecticide sprays to inhibit infestations of Asian leafminer (secondary effects). Main effects are windbreak versus no windbreaks. Citrus canker incidence will be estimated on multiple branches on each tree treated as the number of leaves per branch infected. We anticipate running these plots for 2-3 more years to collect all necessary data. The njext field visit to plots in Brazil has been deferred until mid 2012. The development of the Programmable leaf wetness controller (PLWC) software was written, debugged, is complete, and the control program is working well. New leaf wetness sensors were designed and constructed and calibrated. An electronic glitch was determined in the leaf wetness sensors and new control circuitry was designed and constructed to overcome the glitch. New hydrophobic materials used as the sensor bridge allowing the detection of leaf moisture are being evaluated as well. The newly designed probes with various sensor bridge materials have been tested to determine their viability. Additional electronic bugs have been identified and a still remain initiated to improve performance. Publications: 167. Bock, C. H., Graham, J. H., Gottwald, T. R., Cook, A. Z., and Parker, P. E. 2010. Wind speed effects on the quantity of Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri dispersed downwind from canopies of grapefruit tree infected with citrus canker. Plant Di Bock C.H., Graham, J.H., Gottwald, T.R., Cook, A.Z., and Parker, P.E. 2010. Wind speed and wind-associated leaf injury affect severity of citrus canker on Swingle citrumelo. Eur J. Plant Path 128:21-38 Bock, CH, Parker, PE, Cook, AZ, Graham, JH and Gottwald, TR. 2001. Infection and decontamination of citrus canker and inoculated the surfaces. Crop Protection 30:259-264. Hall, D.G., Gottwald, T.R. and C.H. Bock. 2010. Exacerbation of citrus canker by citrus leafminer Phyllocnistis citrella in Florida. Florida Entomologist. Florida Entomologist 93:558-566. Bock, C.H., Gottwald, T.R. and Parker, P.E. 2011. Distribution of canker lesions on the surface of diseased grapefruit. Plant Pathology (Accepted).
The objectives of this study are: 1) to develop a series of flexible stochastic models to predict the temporal increase and spatial spread of citrus HLB and canker. They can be used in a number of ways: to predict spread and to analyze the effectiveness of control strategies both in plantations and State-wide. 2) Test various control methods under field conditions to evaluate effects and collect data to parameterize models. SEIDR model. Using Markov-chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods, and extensive data from infected areas of South Florida for successive snapshots of the occurrence of symptomatic detected trees in known populations of susceptible trees, we have been able to estimate the transmission rates and dispersal kernel for HLB. A working model has been developed that focuses on the differential effects of host age on epidemiological parameters as well as variability across the plantation and that allows for uncertainty in the parameters as well as variability over time and through space. Via the use of Baysian MCMC methods we have been able to infer posterior densities on the model parameters. The uncertainty is then incorporated in models to predict spread and to allow for uncertainty in the efficiency and comparison of control methods. More recently, we developed a second approach known as Approximate Bayesian Computation (ABC) and have used canker and HLB as test pathosystems. Comparing model outputs of the ABC versus the MCMC estimates we determine that the dispersal distances being considered needed to be lengthened to gain the most accurate estimation. This seemingly small difference becomes important as we analyse the differences between control strategies. Both residential and commercial citrus scenarios continue to be tested under a variety of scenarios. A web based version of the model (front end) is in the final steps of testing. The front end allows visualization of the effect of these various control strategies allowing researchers, growers and regulators the ability to compare the results of thousands of simulations for practical management decision making and/or regulatory intervention/strategy building. Via this model we have been able to examine the effects of various controls such as using insecticide applications or not, removing infected trees or not, and the effect of HLB infection in young versus older trees. Model output confirmed that controlling secondary infections by diseased tree removal and insecticide applications plus controlling primary infection from new insect immigrations by areawide control strategies, was able to reduce disease increase to under 5% increase per year, which industry contacts indicate is economically sustainable. We are continuing to explore the use of this model to manage Texas and California outbreaks.
The objectives of this study are: 1) to develop a series of flexible stochastic models to predict the temporal increase and spatial spread of citrus HLB and canker. They can be used in a number of ways: to predict spread and to analyze the effectiveness of control strategies both in plantations and State-wide. 2) Test various control methods under field conditions to evaluate effects and collect data to parameterize models. SEIDR model. Using Markov-chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods, and extensive data from infected areas of South Florida for successive snapshots of the occurrence of symptomatic detected trees in known populations of susceptible trees, we have been able to estimate the transmission rates and dispersal kernel for HLB. A working model has been developed that focuses on the differential effects of host age on epidemiological parameters as well as variability across the plantation and that allows for uncertainty in the parameters as well as variability over time and through space. Our main approach has been the use of Baysian MCMC methods to infer posterior densities on the model parameters. The uncertainty is then incorporated in models to predict spread and to allow for uncertainty in the efficiency and comparison of control methods. Recently we have developed a second approach known as Approximate Bayesian Computation (ABC) and have used canker and more challengingly HLB as a test bed. In comparing model outputs of the ABC versus the MCMC estimates we determine that the dispersal distances being considered needed to be lengthened to gain the most accurate estimation. This seemingly small difference may become apparent and important when we analyse the differences between control strategies. A web based version of the model (front end) is very far along and now I the final steps of validation testing. Both residential and commercial citrus scenarios are being tested with user selectable and changeable via sliding controls. The front end allows visualization of the effect of these various control strategies allowing researchers, growers and regulators the ability to compare the results of thousands of simulations for practical management decision making and/or regulatory intervention/strategy building. Via this model we have been able to examine the effects of various controls such as using insecticide applications or not, removing infected trees or not, and the effect of HLB infection in young versus older trees. Model output confirms that controlling secondary infections by diseased tree removal and insecticide applications plus controlling primary infection from new insect immigrations by areawide control strategies, can reduce disease increase to a manageable 2 to 5% increase per year. Industry representatives had indicated that this level of diseases accommodates economically sustainable. This may be quite useful to manage Texas and California outbreaks.
This project is designed to examine the potential disease control of citrus huanglongbing (HLB) by interplanting citrus with guava. In Vietnam and Indonesia, guava has been shown to be a deterrent to HLB, by repleeling psyllid vectors and slow the disease, thus extending the economic life of plantings aby several years. White guava trees were brought back to Florida from Vietnam under permit, grown to maturity, seed collected used to propagate guava for outplanting, requiring ~1 year. Both nursery and field citrus trees were assayed for HLB every 60 days, and have been assayed multiple times. Psyllid populations are monitored continuously every 2 weeks to document repulsion of the vector. Results: Guava vs no guava nurseries: Two nursery sites, a guava protected citrus nursery versus an unprotected nursery, have were established with disease free, PCR-negative citrus trees (2 sweet orange and 1 grapefruit cultivars) in June 2009 and were located in the protected and unprotected plots. To date HLB is progressing more slowly in nursery plots interplanted with guava than in non-interplanted plots. The freezes discussed below did not adversely affect these nursery plots. Citrus/guava interplantings: 2 commercial plantings with multiple replications were established but due to freezes and property sales these plantings were not viable and were discontinued. A third trial planting was established at the USHRL Picos Farm in Fort Pierce. The Picos plot was interplanted with citrus in August 2009. Severe frosts during 2008/2009 and again during 2009/2010 winters affected the USHRL plots and caused a delay in the experiment. A final hard freeze during the 2010/2011 season killed most of the guava trees. Data analysis indicated no differences were observed among treatments, i.e., guava interplanted vs. non-interplanted plots prior to the final demise of the plots. Our interpretation is that Florida is actually a subtropical environment, prone to intermittent freezes and cool or cold temperatures. Whereas, Vietnam and Indonesia, where the guava effect seems to work, are truly tropical without such broad temperature swings. After freezes it takes a considerable time to either replant guava or for the freeze damage guava to recover. Even during cool weather guava trees are very sensitive and do not continue to flourish and grow. It is the new flush of guava which appears to be the best at producing ACP repellent volatiles. Cool or freezing temperatures inhibits volatile production and thus the citrus crop is left unprotected from ACP. While guava not be a viable deterrent as an intercrop, it still may be possible to identify individual volatiles from guava that might be useful under field applications as chemical applications. Moving forward: We are copntinuing the guava-nursery experiments. For field tests, we now switching direction to investigate other more temperate Myrtaceous plant species that are more cold tolerant and might be useful as intercrops. Research continues using a Y-tube olfactometer to continue to investigate guava volatiles as repellents of the psyllid as well as to investigate the feasibility of other Myrtaceous plants. If alternative Myrtaceous plants can be idnetified to be repellent to ACP, we will establish test plots to examine their field effectiveness.
We have proposed to utilize CTV for delivery of four insecticidal peptides into citrus plants for management of the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), brown citrus aphid (BCA). Recently, we have completed a series of bioassays to assess the effects of two of these putative insecticidal peptides, henceforth referred to as peptides A and B. Using honeydew excretion assays, we determined that exhibited fed less upon plants expressing peptide A compared to control plants. No differences in psyllid feeding were observed between plants expressing peptide and control plants. In a series of choice tests, significantly fewer ACP adults settled on control plants compared plants expressing either peptide A. In contrast, more adults settled on control plants compared to peptide B plants. Egg, nymph, and total development time were significantly greater when psyllids were reared on plants expressing peptide B compared to control or peptide A plants. Adult psyllid longevity was not significantly affected by the presence of peptide A or B in plants compared with control plants; however, survival of eggs and nymphs decreased significantly when reared on peptide B plants compared to peptide A and control plants. Survival and development time of BCA nymphs were not affected by the presence of either peptide compared to control plants, although fecundity and longevity of BCA adults decreased significantly when BCA were reared on peptide B plants. BCA feeding was not affected by the presence of either peptide. Collectively, these results suggest that peptide B may have insecticidal effects on both ACP and BCA. Currently we continue to conduct bioassays with ACP and BCA using an artificial feeding system containing synthetic peptide B to determine the most effective concentration of this compound against BCA and ACP. Concurrently, we are making progress toward the development of an ELISA assay that will allow us to measure the concentration of peptide B expressed by CTV-transformed plants. Once the most efficacious peptide concentration has been determine, we will manipulate the position of the peptide gene within the CTV vector to optimize the concentration of peptide expressed in plants. Finally, the genes for the two remaining peptides have been successfully sequenced and cloned into CTV-vectors and bark flap inoculated into plants. Plants containing CTV-peptide C constructs have tested positive for CTV and used to graft-inoculate citrus plants for use in insect bioassays. We expect that the plants will be ready for assays in one month.
We have made progress towards developing an attractant lure for ACP. Data analyzed from our most recent tests indicate that a blend of five plant volatiles deployed with a yellow sticky trap increases catches of psyllids as compared with blank untreated traps. There is now a company that formulates and manufactures these lures (ISCA Tech). We plan on conducting further follow up field verification tests with this lure in several locations, including out of state locations. If these verification tests are positive, this lure should be available for purchase in the near future. We have also recently discovered that break-down products of citrus volatiles may be important components of an ACP attractant rather than the actual volatiles that are initially given off by citrus. We are currently working to identify these break-down products. Following identification, we will conduct behavioral testing to determine their effect on behavior of ACP. Finally, we have developed and are testing a new, higher-resolution method for analyzing ACP cutricular hydrocarbons for identification of pheromone components. This involves thermal desorbtion of the volatiles from live psyllids directly onto a gas chormatograph (GC). This method removes the step of collecting volatiles from psyllids prior to injection onto the GC. Therefore, it is potentially a more sensitive technique and may lead to discovery of further pheromone components. We are currently analyzing those data.
In this research, we have been developing a repellent formulation for Asian citrus psyllid (ACP). A DMDS-based SPLAT formulation has been developed. It is currently formulated and produced by ISCA technologies. Our recent results have produced inconsistent results; however, there have been cases where the formulation has effectively reduced psyllid populations both in Florida and in trials in another state. Recently, we have been testing a newer formulation of the SPLAT with a different active ingredient, which cannot be disclosed here. This new formulation with the new active ingredient is working more consistently than DMDS to repell psyllids. Also, it is much less noxious than DMDS and does not produce a foul smell. We are working to determine if this new repellent formulation will produce more consistent results than the DMDS formulation. Also, we have been investigating blends of compounds in the SPLAT formulation as an active ingredient to determine if blends may be more effective than single components, such as DMDS. Finally, we have been working to develop a release device that can be applied to foliage, such that the repellent SPLAT formulation can be deployed without adhering to leaves or fruit. We have found that this is necessary, because some of the repellent active ingredients, like DMDS, are phyto-toxic.
Following our previous report on the development of insecticide resistance in Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), the current study was undertaken to monitor the trend of resistance development in 2011. Five field populations of ACP from various regions of Florida were evaluated for resistance to commonly used insecticides, representing five major classes (carbamate, neonicotinoids, organophosphate, pyrethroid and spinosyn). Three diagnostic doses (LD50, LD75 and LD95), obtained using our laboratory susceptible population in 2009, were used to compare susceptibility levels between field-collected and laboratory populations in 2011. Results obtained in 2011 show marked reduction in the susceptibility levels of ACP to chlorpyriphos and fenpropathrin, when compared to the susceptibility data obtained in 2010. Mean percent mortalities obtained with chlorpyrifos and fenpropathrin were significantly lower in 2011 than in 2010. The LD95 values for some locations (the amount that kills 95% of laboratory susceptible ACP) were as low as 30% for these two insecticides. However, the was no evidence of a further increase of resistance to the neonicotinoid or spynosyn classes of insecticides from 2010 to 2011. We have previously reported that five cytochrome P450 genes (CYP4C67, CYP4DA1, CYP4C68, CYP4DB1 and CYP4G70), from ACP exhibit greater expression in Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (Las)-free adults that are insecticide tolerant than Las-infected ACP that are insecticide susceptible. In addition, expression of all five genes was inducible by imidacloprid treatment. These findings suggested potential involvement of five CYP4 genes in insecticide metabolism by ACP, and therefore warranted an investigation of their expression levels among various ACP populations, which are known to vary in insecticide susceptibilities to insecticides belonging to various classes. We compared the relative expression of five CYP4 genes and associated protein expressions among field-collected and laboratory susceptible populations. The gene expression study indicated significant overexpression of all CYP4 genes in field-collected populations when normalized against the laboratory susceptible population. SDS-PAGE profiles indicated little difference in the total protein profiles among six ACP populations, particularly for 25 and 200 kDa molecular masses. Western blot analysis using total proteins from ACP indicated increased signal of a band corresponding to a 100 kDa protein in the Fort Pierce population. These results indicate CYP4 gene mediated insecticide resistance in field populations of ACP. In addition, the present results indicate that insecticide resistance may become an emerging problem for ACP control, specifically to chlorpyriphos and fenpropathrin, if effective resistance management is not practiced.
Our objective for this project was to evaluate botanical compounds as repellents of Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP). Botanical oils and their constituent compounds are promising as repellents of ACP because many plant chemicals have shown repellency in other insect systems, and it is likely that as natural products these compounds will be ecologically sound. For the first part of our research we are using a custom-designed arena (T-olfactometer) where psyllids can choose between two odors. The olfactometer consists of a 30 cm glass tube that is bifurcated into two equal halves with a Teflon strip forming a T-maze. Each half serves as an arm of the olfactometer enabling the individual ACP to make a choice between two potential odor fields. To date, we have assayed 13 compounds for repellency of ACP in this olfactometer at dosages typically between 0.1 and 10 uL. These compounds include .-damascone, .-damascone, citronellol, D-carvone, geraniol, geranyl acetone, D-limonene, methyl dihydrojasmonate, nerol, nootkatone, 9-decen-1-ol, and .-carene. Psyllid choice assays suggest that geranyl acetone, citronellol, and .-carene may have repellent activity and will be evaluated at higher dosages. Several of these compounds (D-carvone, geranyl acetone, citronellol, .-carene, .-damascone, .-damascone, and methyl dihydrojasmonate) have been used in preliminary contact toxicology assays. In these assays, the chemicals were diluted in a volatile solvent and applied to 20 mL glass vials. The vials were rotated on their sides until all solvent had evaporated, leaving behind a residue of the test compound. Ten adult psyllids were added to the vials. After 40 hours, mortality was assessed for each concentration and compound tested. These results suggest that most of these compounds exhibit contact toxicity LC50 below 2 nL/cm2. We will be conducting replicated experiments to determine LC50 dosages for these and other compounds beginning in February. Additional botanical oils have been selected for olfactometer and toxicity assays based on their availability and cost. Currently the following oils are available: citronella, camphor, litsea, fir needle, clove, and lemongrass through Sigma-Aldrich for less than $100/kg. In the near future, we will evaluate these oils using the methods outlined above. These oils, if proven to repel ACP, may be promising for use in large scale field trials since they are affordable and are natural products that are easy and safe to handle.
Low volume (2-10 gallons per acre) applications have been increasingly popular in the citrus industry due to their low operating costs and flexible nature. The rationale for this investigation was to gain better understanding of limitations and suggest improvements to the implementation of low volume applications in mature citrus groves and compare them to traditional high volume (ca. 200 gallon) techniques. 1) Leaf residue toxicity studies. The residue left on citrus leaves following applications kills psyllids for up to several weeks. We investigated longevity of activity for Asian citrus psyllid, using leaves from field trials with fenopropathrin (16 oz/acre), phosmet (1.5 lb/acre) and imidacloprid (15 oz/acre) after low and high volume applications. A bioassay was then performed with citrus leaf discs in a Petri dishes. Approximately 15 adult psyllids were placed in dishes with leaf discs of either treated or untreated leaves. Mortality was recorded at 24 h and 48 h intervals. The mortality of adult psyllids after 4 days was between 60 and 100% after high volume applications, but <10% after low volume applications. By day eight, only the high volume fenpropathrin treatment caused high mortality (80%). All other treatments tested showed <10% mortality. A residue trial of the adjuvant, Induce, was conducted with the insecticides fenpropathrin and chlorpyrifos at both low and high volume applications. At day three, discs from all treatments caused 100% mortality. Fenpropathrin + Induce low volume and high volume were the only treatments to cause adult mortality: 65 and 80%, respectively. 2) Border row treatment as a tactic for ACP management. The purpose of this study was to investigate the application of border row treatments for psyllid management as compared with treating entire blocks. Psyllid numbers in both fully and border only treated blocks were significantly reduced by the applications three and seven days after application. On day 14, the border row treatment was not different from the control, while psyllid populations were still reduced in the fully treated blocks. These results indicate that border row treatment by low volume may have some use for up to two weeks after treatment, but is not as effective as treating entire blocks of citrus at the five acre replicate plot sizes that we tested. 3) The vertical distribution of adult psyllids in mature citrus. Adult psyllid distribution within the canopy of citrus has has not been investigated thoroughly following applications of insecticides. Our season-long study revealed that there are up to three times more adult psyllids at ~3 m as compared with 1 m height within the canopy following insecticide treatment. Leaf disks from the top most leaves were previously shown not to be toxic to adult psyllids. A spray droplet penetration study was performed, using water sensitive paper (WSP) strips as an indicator of the presence of the spray cloud produced by the low volume machine. These strips were placed at three heights within the canopy of trees: 1.2, 2.1 and 3.2 m. Results revealed that droplets penetrated both sides of the leaf at 2.1 m only. At 1.2 m, only the upper surface received significant numbers of droplets. At 3.2 m, no droplets were detected. In summary the low volume technique, although rapid to deploy and characterized by low operating costs, results in lower penetration of the tree canopy as compared with high volume applications, which may explain the shorter longevity of efficacy of low volume applications as compared with standard sprays.
The objective of this project was to investigate three questions: 1) what is the seasonal pattern of Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus (Las) prevalence in leaf tissue on a grove scale; 2) what are the flushing patterns of citrus and do the flushing patterns affect the prevalence of Las in Diaphorina citri or citrus leaves; and 3) what is the prevalence of Diaphorina citri carrying Las on a grove scale and how does it compare the results from the citrus trees in the same grove. In 2008 and 2009 Ebert and Rogers demonstrated that the prevalence of Las in the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) varied seasonally but the pattern between seasons was not consistent. It was suggested that perhaps the reason for the differences between the years related to the flushing patterns of citrus and the prevalence of the bacterium in the leaves where ACPs are feeding. This project aims to determine if there is a relationship between the frequency of disease on branches and ACPs. Data collection for Las prevalence in psyllids and branches continues in three sites (Lake Alfred, Conserv II, and Lake Wales) for the second year. Phenology is also being collected for all three sites. One complication is that the post-doc responsible for the project has left the program. At this time the samples are being frozen for processing. We have reduced the total number of psyllids per sampling date because we determined that there smaller samples were sufficient for a robust statistical test.
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