Citrus Growers Forum

JoeReal · Posted: Mon 24 Nov, 2008 11:05 pm

http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_11063196?nclick_check=1

New effort launching to stop deadly citrus pest
The Associated Press
Posted: 11/24/2008 10:41:27 AM PST

FRESNO, Calif.Federal agriculture officials are committing $5.8 million to an effort to stop the spread of a tiny bug in California that can wipe out citrus groves.

Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer said the money will be used to step up surveillance, enforce quarantines, and educate the industry and public about the Asian citrus psyllid's deadly impacts.

The bug, which has caused billions of dollars in damage to the citrus industries in Florida and Brazil, was detected at the Tijuana border earlier this year. By September it had crossed into San Diego County.

The psyllid carries a bacteria deadly to citrus that it passes to the trees when feeding on leaves. Citrus greening kills trees in five to eight years.

A.T. Hagan · Posted: Tue 25 Nov, 2008 11:50 am

Good luck with that.

But I'd be working on coming up with management plans for how to live with the disease while you're at it.

.....Alan.

JoeReal · Posted: Tue 25 Nov, 2008 12:52 pm

A.T. Hagan wrote:

Good luck with that.

But I'd be working on coming up with management plans for how to live with the disease while you're at it.

.....Alan.

Something which I have suggested in various postings sometime back. I know it is coming, a matter of when, but be ready. Above attempts will only delay the inevitable, but it will arrive.

Have you seen my earlier postings about one Florida farmer in Lakeland able to manage his infected trees and remained productive?

A.T. Hagan · Posted: Tue 25 Nov, 2008 1:36 pm

Yes, I did. I asked Dr. Dixon about it at the Citrus Expo. Still too early to know anything for sure but it's looking promising.

.....Alan.

Skeeter · Posted: Tue 25 Nov, 2008 9:52 pm

How does he apply the aspirin?

_________________
Skeet

JoeReal · Posted: Tue 25 Nov, 2008 11:03 pm

Skeeter wrote:

How does he apply the aspirin?

Foliar, of course, instead of injections, Very Happy

Perhaps in the form of Salicylic acid, mixed with micronutrient immune boosters and or other plant hormones, then water, maybe a sticker chemical, then spray them on the tree at various strategic timing.

A.T. Hagan · Posted: Tue 25 Nov, 2008 11:40 pm

I was only given a very brief answer, but that's what they are doing. It's a low-concentration of salicylates and micronutrients in a foliar spray. He said when sprayed on trees known to be infected with the greening disease it makes a visible improvement in the appearance of the trees when compared to those that weren't sprayed. What they don't know just yet is whether it either kills the disease or somehow keeps it from negatively affecting the trees. It may only be a cosmetic improvement. They just don't know yet.

.....Alan.

Millet · Posted: Wed 26 Nov, 2008 12:36 am

The 55-gallon drums of Methyl Salicylate (Oil of Wintergreen) that we keep in stock, chemically is known as salicylic acid methyl ester with the formula C6H4(HO)COOCH3. If it turns out that it works to control citrus greening, a point in favor to the grower is that Methyl Salicylate is a very inexpensive chemical. As chemicals go, it is dirt cheap. - Millet