Before replanting a citrus grove in Arizona, different preplant cultural activities may be performed, such as immediate replanting of the new citrus grove, allowing soil to lay fallow for various lengths of time, or planting the site to alfalfa for one or more years before the new citrus grove is established. A study was conducted to compare the effect of these different cultural preplant practices on the survival of Phytophthora in citrus grove soils. In June, 1998, and July, 1999, a total of 18 soil samples were collected within mature lemon groves. Each initial bulk sample was pretested, found to contain Phytophthora parasitica, then thoroughly mixed and partitioned into 1-liter plastic containers, which were subjected to different environmental and cultural conditions. The soil in each 1-liter container was tested for the presence of P. parasitica 1 and 3.5 to 4 months later. All soil samples then were placed in the greenhouse and a 6-month-old Citrus volkameriana seedling was planted in soil samples not containing plants. Three 1-liter sub-samples from each of ten 7-liter volumes of soil incubated outside for three months were also planted to citrus in the greenhouse. The soil containing plants in the greenhouse was watered as needed for 3 months, then again tested for the presence of Phytophthora. Irrigating soil infested with Phytophthora parasitica, whether it was planted to a host (citrus) of the pathogen, planted to a non-host (alfalfa) of the pathogen, or not planted at all, did not lower the pathogen to nondetectable levels. Phytophthora became and remained nondetectable only in the soil samples that were not irrigated and subjected to mean temperatures of 35 to 37° C (94 to 98° F). On the other hand, the pathogen was detectable in some soil samples subjected to dryness at lower mean temperatures of 26 to 30° C (79 to 86° F) after a citrus seedling subsequently was grown in the soil for 3 months. A dry summer fallow period following removal of a citrus grove (including as much root material as possible) was the only cultural practice among those tested that reduced the level of Phytophthora to nondetectable levels in all soil samples tested.

Under low citrus thrips pressure and cool temperatures, Alert, Baythroid, Carzol, Success and Acetamiprid applied at petal fall were all effective control agents. Mid-season applications of Baythroid and Danitol were also effective but appeared to be slightly inferior to Success and Alert in residual control. Despite the prolonged blooming and petal drop period experienced during this trial, plots receiving pre-petal fall applications of Acetamiprid did not produce higher quality fruit than treatments where applications began following petal fall. The fact that thrips densities were low during this period may be the reason. Before pre-petal fall insecticide applications can be deemed useful and economically justifiable, evaluations must be made at higher thrips infestation levels.

A small plot efficacy trial was conducted evaluating thrips control with Dimethoate, Baythroid, and Success at rates of 4, 6, and 9 oz/ac, and tank mixes of the low and medium rates of Success with Dimethoate or Baythroid. Based on a 10% fruit infestation threshold, Dimethoate required three applications while the other treatments required two applications to achieve season long thrips control. However, when evaluating the treatments based on a cost effectiveness index, none of the tank mixes or Success at 9 oz./ac were economically advisable. The most cost effective treatment was Success at 4 oz/ac, followed by Success at 6 oz/ac, Dimethoate, and Baythroid.

A small plot efficacy trial was conducted evaluating citrus thrips control under hot conditions. Average daily maximum temperatures ranged from the mid-90’s to low 100°F’s. Success and Carzol were the most efficacious products evaluated, followed by Lorsban and Dimethoate. Both Lorsban and Dimethoate provided good initial thrips control but were short lived. Lorsban appeared to have a slightly longer residual than Dimethoate. Both of the pyrethroids, Baythroid and Danitol, performed poorly. Neither provided good thrips knockdown or residual control. Pyrethroids should be avoided for thrips control when temperatures equal or exceed 95°F. We were not able to demonstrate any adverse effect on efficacy towards thrips by acidifying Success. However, Success is not prone to hydrolysis at high pHs, and acidification is not necessary or advised.

Esteem was evaluated for its efficacy towards woolly whitefly in grapefruit and Minneola tangelos. Esteem was efficacious, but because of spray coverage problems on large trees, failed to offer complete control. Higher rates should be used where infestations are severe, or the trees are large and coverage difficult. Follow-up applications may be necessary to maintain control.

Alternaria fruit rot on Minneola tangelos and navel oranges can reach economically important levels in central Arizona. The objective of this study was to test the efficacy of a new fungicide in development, BAS 500, for disease management. A trial was conducted in a commercial Minneola tangelo grove with a history of Alternaria fruit rot. Within this grove, nine trees were sprayed monthly from August to December 2000 with BAS 500 at a rate of 0.25 lb active ingredient per acre. Another nine trees were not sprayed and served as controls. Disease severity was evaluated monthly from September 2000 to March 2001 by counting the number of infected fruit that had dropped from trees. No disease was evident on fruit from August through November, when fruit were green. By December the fruit had matured and turned color; additionally, the first fruit were detected with Alternaria fruit rot. In December and January there was little difference in the number of infected fruit on treated compared to nontreated trees. On the other hand, by February and March the cumulative number of infected fruit from trees treated with BAS 500 was 3.0 and 3.7 %, respectively, whereas the cumulative number of diseased fruit from nontreated trees during the same months was greater at 4.9 and 6.4 %, respectively. This study will be repeated next year with an adjusted spray schedule with the goal of increasing the level of disease control.

A small plot trial was conducted to evaluate the benefit of applying insecticides for citrus thrips management pre-petal fall. Because of low thrips densities during the pre-petal period, we were not able to discern tangible benefits from making prepetal applications. However, in situations where fruit is present and petal fall has not fully occurred, these applications may be useful to protect these fruit. Of the acute toxicants evaluated pre-petal fall (Assail and Success), Assail appeared to be the best choice. However, if temperatures are approaching 95°F, Assail should be avoided. Pre-petal fall applications of Surround and Snow are beneficial in respect that several applications of these products may be required to obtain adequate coverage, and by making these applications during the pre-petal fall period, thrips can be managed before many susceptible fruit are present.

Surround WP was evaluated at various spray volumes to determine if volumes lower than the label recommended volume of 250 gallon per acre would provide equivalent citrus thrips control and yield enhancement potential. All the spray volumes evaluated (50, 100, 150, and 250 gpa) appeared to be equally effective. It appears that as long as the spray coverage appears to be visually adequate, then coverage is sufficient. Application of Surround WP led to some increase in fruit size, particularly for the first harvest.

This item was digitized as part of the Million Books Project led by Carnegie Mellon University and supported by grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF). Cornell University coordinated the participation of land-grant and agricultural libraries in providing historical agricultural information for the digitization project; the University of Arizona Libraries, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and the Office of Arid Lands Studies collaborated in the selection and provision of material for the digitization project.

No description available.