The incidence and severity of Alternaria fruit rot on navel oranges has increased in Maricopa County. The objectives of this study were to test the efficacy of two fungicides, Kocide 101 and Rovral, for disease control and to determine an application schedule that will result in optimum control of disease. In 1994, compared to nontreated trees, a significant reduction in the number of dropped oranges occurred on trees sprayed one to five times with Rovral at monthly intervals from April through August. In the same year, monthly applications of Kocide 101 from April through August were no better than leaving trees untreated. In 1995, Rovral treatments from March through August provided no apparent beneficial effects on control of Alternaria fruit rot, while a single application of Kocide 101 in December, January, or February resulted in significantly less dropped oranges compared to nontreated frees. Because of the inconsistent activity of Kocide 101 and Rovral in these two studies, an additional trial is in progress during 1996. The additional data from 1996 may help identify when and what fungicide(s) could provide significant control ofAlternaria fruit rot of navel oranges in Arizona.

A physiological characterization has established that vascular changes in Macrophylla decline affected trees are not similar in character to xyloporosis affected trees. In addition, a survey of Macrophylla decline affected citrus did not establish any genetic similarity between Macrophylla decline and xyloporosis. We report diagnosis of either CCV or CEV by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), as well as diagnosis of Macrophylla decline or xyloporosis by Zn-distribution, water conductivity, accumulation of decline- specific proteins and examination of phloem morphology in lemon trees on the Macrophylla rootstock.

Deficiency of boron (B) in citrus has serious consequences for tree health and crop production. There is evidence that B deficiency may be a problem in Arizona citrus. Certainly, many symptoms of B deficiency are apparent, especially on the Yuma Mesa. A field trial was conducted at Yuma, Arizona to examine the effect of foliar boron application on fruit yield and quality of Citrus sinensis and C. limon. Boron was applied to 5 year old Citrus sinensis cv. Hamlin and C. limon cv. Rosenberger Lisbon trees at 5 different concentrations (0 ppm, 500 ppm, 1000 ppm, 2000 ppm, 3000 ppm) either before flowering or after flowering. At harvest, fruit yield and quality, and boron concentrations were determined. Foliar application appeared to increase leaf boron concentration (r= 0.50, p= 0.004). Fruit set was increased in Hamlin trees receiving bloom and post bloom applications of boron at the 1000 ppm level. Boron applications had no significant effect on lemon yield in these studies. This fruit set increase in Hamlin accounted for a 35% increase in overall yield relative to control trees. However, there was no significant difference in fruit weight, fruit pH, titratable acidity, peel thickness, juice volume, or soluble solid content of the fruits among treatments. Previous studies indicate that boron influenced in vivo and in vitro pollen germination in many crops. A plausible explanation for increased fruit yield may be that the applied boron was transported to the flowers where it exerted its influence of increased fruit set through an effect on pollen viability and/or pollen tube growth. However, clearly boron supplementation must be performed judiciously to avoid fruit drop from over -application of the element.

The life history of the citrus peel miner was investigated. The peel miner larvae were found in low levels in grapefruit throughout the summer. In September the infestation level rose to 10%. Peel miners were also found in oleanders, mesquites, grapes and tree cottons. Peel miners were found to infest at higher levels in the skirt of the tree (less than 32. A parasitic wasp of the larval stage was discovered

The potato leafhopper, Empoasca fabae L., is a significant pest in the United States, and elsewhere, of alfalfa and potatoes In Arizona and in Coastal and Central California it can also be a pest of citrus. In 1994 and 1995 we collected information concerning their seasonal abundance in a large citrus orchard near Newman Peak Arizona. To do so we employed yellow sticky traps around the orchard periphery, at the same time using a D-Vac® vacuum sampler in the weeds growing in the interior of the orchard During both years peak populations occurred near mid April. This was correlated with a drop in relative humidity and a rise in ambient air temperature.

Experiments were initiated to evaluate chemical disease management tools for Alternaria fruit rot on navel orange and Coniophora brown wood rot on lemon trees, examine the possible effect of branch diameter on development of Coniophora wood rot on lemon trees and continue evaluations of relative resistance of rootstocks to root rot and stem canker development when inoculated with P. citrophthora and P. parasitica. Rovral or Kocide did not significantly reduce the amount of Alternaria fruit rot on navel orange trees occurring in late summer and early autumn when applied during the preceding winter or spring months. Of several chemical treatments tested, only Nectec paste inhibited the development of Coniophora brown wood rot on inoculated lemon branches. The size of wood decay columns on branches 10 mm (0.5 inch) in diameter were significantly smaller than those developing on branches 50-70 mm (2.0-2.75 inches) in diameter. In extensive trials evaluating root rot caused by Phytophthora citrophthora and P. parasitica, some relatively tolerant rootstocks were found among the group of new potential rootstocks as well as currently used rootstocks such as rough lemon, C. macrophylla and Troyer citrange. C. volkameriana was relatively tolerant to the development of root rot by P. citrophthora but demonstrated variable tolerance to P. parasitica. Comprehensive evaluation of stem canker development on citrus rootstocks inoculated with P. citrophthora or P. parasitica revealed that rough lemon is usually highly susceptible to both pathogens, while C. volkameriana was at times less susceptible (more tolerant) than rough lemon to both pathogens. Some of the new potential rootstocks were highly tolerant or resistant to infection of stem tissue by P. citrophthora or P. parasitica.

New chemistries (Alert, Success, Fipronil, Ni -25, Nexter, Danitol and Baythroid) were evaluated and compared with standard chemistries (Agri-Mek, Dimethoate and Carzol) for control of citrus thrips in lemons grown in the Yuma area. Additionally, Success was compared to Carzol in a large plot commercial demonstration. Under cool, early season conditions, all products appeared to offered good thrips control. However, under warmer conditions, Nexter, Danitol, Baythroid and Dimethoate appear weak. Among the new insecticides, Success and Fipronil appear most efficacious. Alert also appeared to have good activity at the high rate, but appeared to offer shorter residual control than Fipronil or Success. Fipronil was the only new product tested that flared mites. However, rotating sulfur into the Fipronil applications appeared to help prevent flaring. Growers can expect Baythroid and Danitol to behave similarly to Dimethoate for efficacy and residual control. Under commercial conditions, Success provided thrips control equivalent to Carzol at 1.38 lbs-ai/A.

Insecticides were evaluated for their efficacy to citrus mealybugs on lemons at three spray gallonages, 60, 240, and 600 gallons per acre. None of the products tested exhibited any activity at 60 or 240 gallons per acre. At 600 gallons per acre, Lorsban at 6 qt/A + NR-415 oil at 1.4% v/v, Supracide at 2 pt /100 gal + Kinetic at 0.25% v/v, and Applaud at 2.0 lbs -ai/A + NR -415 oil at 1.4% v/v all demonstrated the best activity. Provado at 0.1 lbs-ai/A + NR-415 oil at 1.4 %, Danitol at 0.4 lbs-ai/A + Lorsban at 4 qt/A + NR-415 oil at 1.4% v/v, and Nexter at 0.3 lbs-ai/A + NR-415 oil at 1.4% v/v showed good activity. Weaker treatments included Agri-Mek at 10 and 20 oz/A, Knack and Difenolan. For maximum control, growers should treat before the fruit is heavily infested, and use high gallonages of spray solution at a high pressure, the spray must penetrate the waxy coating to achieve activity. If applicable, a spray oil should be included to help break up the wax. However, if Supracide is used, use a high rate without oil.

Seasonal flight of beet leafhopper vectors of stubborn disease was monitored at wholesale nurseries in Yuma County, and at young citrus groves in Maricopa County using yellow sticky traps exposed at successive two-week intervals. Trapped leafhoppers were removed and assayed for presence of the citrus stubborn agent by PCR. Leafhoppers were collected live from weed plants in groves and nurseries using an insect vacuum and both leafhoppers and tissue from weed plants were assayed by PCR for the stubborn agent. Selected trees in groves in Yuma and Maricopa Counties were visually inspected for stubborn symptoms.

Four arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal isolates (Glomus sp.) from disparate edaphic conditions were screened for effects on whole -plant transpiration of juvenile 'Volkamer' lemon (Citrus volkameriana Ten. and Pasq.) plants of similar shoot mass and canopy leaf area. Mycorrhizal and non -mycorrhizal plants were grown in 8 -liter containers for 2.5 months under well- watered conditions before subjection to three consecutive soil drying episodes of increased severity (soil moisture tensions of -0.02 [still moist], -0.06 [moderately dry], and -0.08[dry] MPa respectively). Whole plant transpiration measurements were made on the last day of each soil drying episode and measurements were repeated on the first and second days after re- watering, when soil profiles were moist. The percent root length colonized by AM fungi differed among isolates. Three AM fungal isolates, Glomus sp. 25A, Glomus mosseae (Nicol. & Gerde.) Gerde. & Trappe 114C, and Glomus intraradices Schenck & Smith FL 208-3 increased root length and subsequently increased lemon plant water use. Conversely, plants inoculated with Glomus mosseae 51C did not enhance lemon plant root length nor improve plant water use compared with nonmycorrhizal control plants. Inoculating citrus with AM fungi that promote root extension may reduce plant water deficit stress under field conditions.