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10-Minute Paper

Plant-Insect Ecosystems

P-IE: IPM - Horticulture 2

Individual protective covers as an effective non-insecticidal tool to manage Asian citrus psyllids in citrus groves

Wednesday, November 8, 2023
9:24 AM - 9:36 AM ET
Location: Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, National Harbor 7
In-Person
The citrus industry in Florida has been devastated by huanglongbing (HLB), a fatal citrus disease vectored by the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP). Current management relies primarily on insecticides. Growers are interested in options for new plantings including individual protective covers (IPCs), reflective mulch ground cover, and red kaolin clay particle film sprays. We tested the efficacy of these three treatments in reducing ACP densities and HLB on young citrus trees against a grower standard control. We also tested the effects of these treatments on other citrus pest densities, plant pathogen incidence, citrus tree growth, water usage, and nutrient uptake. Among these treatments, the IPCs successfully excluded ACP, with no bagged trees infested with CLas. Trees in this treatment also showed the lowest densities of citrus leafminer infestation, citrus canker incidence, and the best aboveground sustained tree growth. However, trees with IPCs were susceptible to sooty mold, and greasy spot, suggesting that there are trade-offs for using this tool. Trees in reflective mulch treatments and IPCs also showed increased water use and had higher soil moisture, while nutrient uptake was similar across treatments. Although other pests and pathogens that can thrive within the mesh netting, IPCs nonetheless seem to be a promising tool for protecting young citrus trees from Asian citrus psyllids and HLB.