'Fairchild' mandarins in the Phoenix area and 'Lisbon' lemons in Yuma were girdled beginning in November 1996. November, March and May girdling of the mandarins led to the greatest yield the first year, while March and May girdling led to the greatest yield in years 2 and 3. March girdling yield increases were generally due to greater fruit numbers, while in May, yield increases were due to greater fruit numbers and fruit size. Returns per acre suggest that March and or May girdling of mandarins will lead to greater profits for the grower. Like mandarins, lemon yields were greater following November, or November and March girdling after one year of the experiment. However, yields of these trees dropped considerably the second year, and the trees appear to be in an alternate bearing cycle. No lemon girdling treatment appears to be better than the untreated trees after three years.

In 1986 a replicated study of eight varieties of pecans was planted on the Safford Agricultural Center at an elevation of 2954 feet above sea level. The objective of the study was to determine which varieties would produce best under the saline conditions found in the Safford valley. WO-3, the highest overall producer of the study, produced the best yield in 1999, with a yield over 2600 pounds per acre. This paper also contains kernel percentages and other nut characteristics found in the study during the 1999 harvest seasons and a summary of the yields since 1997.

Twelve varieties of pecans were evaluated for yield, viviparity, and nut quality. The commercially recommended varieties 'Western Schley' and 'Wichita' produced the greatest yields but also had the highest percentage of pregermination. The varieties 'Cheyenne' and 'Sioux' exhibit great potential for commercial production in the low desert of Arizona.

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.

Kaolin (Surround) was highly effective at preventing citrus thrips populations from reaching damaging levels in Arizona lemons. Applications should be initiated before thrips become numerous. Applying the material before petal fall may offer protection of early set fruit, but may not be necessary if thrips densities are low. However, since kaolin should be applied in advance of thrips populations increase, determining the benefits of pre-petal fall applications of kaolin is difficult. Kaolin applied on a maintenance schedule offers continual suppression of thrips populations, whereas traditional standard insecticides offer temporary population knockdown. Kaolin did not interfere with photosynthesis or stomatal conductance, and may possess yield enhancement qualities.

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.

Microsprinkler irrigation offers excellent flexibility for site-specific management of water and nitrogen inputs for citrus orchards in the southwestern United States. Escalating water costs, declining water availability, and increasing regulation of nitrogen (N) fertilizer use are causing growers to adopt practices to improve water and N use efficiency. 'Newhall' navels on 'Carrizo' rootstock were planted in Jan. 1997 and an experiment was initiated. This experiment was continued during 1999. The objective of the experiment was to develop appropriate management guidelines for N fertigation of 3-4 year old microsprinkler-irrigated navel orange trees. Treatments were factorial combinations of three N rates (0.15, 0.30, 0.45 lb N tree⁻¹ yr⁻¹) and three fertigation frequencies (3x/year, monthly, weekly). An untreated control was included. Trunk diameter was not responsive to N rate or fertigation frequency. Leaf N in all treatments, even controls, remained above the critical level (2.5%). However, at each N rate leaf N was highest with the weekly fertigation frequency. Nitrate analyses of soil samples indicate that nitrate leaching was highest with the highest N rate and 3x/year fertigation. Frequent fertigation is recommended because it results in higher leaf N and less nitrate leaching.

Trisert CB replaced conventional foliar applied low-biuret urea and liquid urea ammonium nitrate in a typical N fertilization regime, a urea triazone based N source. There was no yield decrease, change in fruit size or grade with the use of the Trisert CB. There were no differences in leaf P, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe, Mn or Zn concentration. Occasionally, leaf N concentration of trees supplied with foliar applied Trisert CB was higher than that of the control treatment.

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.