Ants are known to interfere with biological control of key citrus pests because they feast upon the sugary honeydew produced by small insects. One of these key pests is the invasive asian citrus psyllid that vectors the deadly huanglongbing citrus disease. As California growers diligently work to keep this disease out of citrus orchards, effective ant management is a critical component in the game plan. Ivan Milosavljevic from the California Citrus Research Board met with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network to discuss some new game-changing control strategies. Watch this brief interview and read more about it in California Fruit & Vegetable Magazine.
Tag: California Citrus Research Board
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Funding Available for California Citrus Growers to Fight Asian Citrus Psyllid, Prevent Citrus Disease
Huanglongbing (HLB), the deadly citrus disease that decimated the Florida citrus industry has shown up in Southern California and is now threatening the nation’s number one citrus state. HLB is primarily spread by the invasive Asian Citrus Psyllid, so managing this insect is key to preventing the spread of the disease. Pest mitigation practices may be costly, the California Citrus Research Board (CRB) introduced the California Citrus Research and Field Trials program (CA-CRaFT) to help fund commercial growers (both conventional and organic) to implement these practices. CRB representative Ivan Milosavljevic met with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network to share details. Watch this brief interview and read more in California Fruit & Vegetable Magazine.
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International Citrus Research Conferences Come to Riverside
To explore and discover solutions to plant diseases impacting the global citrus industry, the 21st Conference of the International Organization of Citrus Virologists (IOCV) and the 6th International Research Conference on Huanglongbing (IRCHLB) are taking place at the Riverside Convention Center in Riverside from March 10-15, 2019.
Co-organized by Citrus Research Board, the conferences will bring more than 500 attendees – from leading researchers and regulators to citrus growers – representing over 22 countries to Southern California, the birthplace of California’s iconic citrus trees. This is the first time the IOCV and IRCHLB conferences will be held in conjunction.
The IOCV conference returns to Riverside for the first time since the inaugural Citrus Virus Diseases conference in 1957, which was organized on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Citrus Experiment Station at the University of California, Riverside in 1907*.
The IOCV conference will take place from March 10-12, and features presentations on citrus leprosis, tristeza, yellow vein clearing and the de novo discovery of citrus viruses, as well as citrus viroids and diagnostics. In addition, for the first time in the history of IOCV, the conference will include sessions on non-graft-transmissible diseases of citrus.
Taking place March 12-15, the IRCHLB will feature research presentations and interactive sessions on the global status of Huanglongbing (HLB), a summary of current HLB research efforts and the vision for long-term sustainable HLB management practices. HLB has killed hundreds of thousands of citrus trees in Florida and other countries, and is one of the biggest threats facing California’s commercial citrus industry.
“California’s citrus community is honored to be hosting the Joint Conference of the IOCV and IRCHLB and hosting citrus researchers from around the world. We’re looking forward to learning about breakthroughs from our fellow scientists and collaborating with them to find sustainable solutions to the disease threats facing the citrus industry,”said UC Riverside Professor Georgios Vidalakis, chair of the Joint Conference. “On behalf of the conference, we are grateful for the support of Citrus Research Board – one of the leading citrus research organizations – and the staff that took the lead on organizing and hosting the conference.”
About the Joint 2019 IOCV-IRCHLB Conferences
The 21st Conference of the International Organization of Citrus Virologists and the 6th International Research Conference on Huanglongbing is organized by the Citrus Research Board; the University of California, Riverside; and the United States Department of Agriculture’sAgricultural Research Service in collaboration with numerous citrus industry, state and federal government, and university partners. Learn more at www.iocvirchlb.com
About Citrus Research Board
Citrus Research Board administers the California Citrus Research Program, the grower-funded and grower-directed program established in 1968 enabling the state’s citrus producers to sponsor and support needed research. More information about the Citrus Research Board may be found at www.citrusresearch.org.
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Challenges and Successes for the California Citrus Industry
With all the regulatory and economic challenges facing our agricultural industries, California growers understandably have a lot to grunt and complain about; however, if growers see these challenges as opportunities and work together to overcome them, so much more can be accomplished, as has been done in the California citrus industry. Check out this brief video interview with former President of the California Citrus Mutual, Joel Nelsen, as he explains. Read more about it in the coming issue of California Fresh Fruit Magazine. Don’t currently receive the publication? Subscribe for free at https://malcolmmedia.com/california-fresh-fruit-subscriptions/.
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International Trade Dispute Impacts CA Citrus Shipments
The ongoing international trade dispute has disrupted many California agricultural industries which rely heavily on foreign exports, including California citrus. Watch this brief interview with former President of the California Citrus Mutual Joel Nelsen as he shares how this is impacting citrus shipments. Read more about the outgoing President of California Citrus Mutual and his outlook for the industry in the coming issue of California Fresh Fruit Magazine. Don’t currently receive the publication? Subscribe for free at https://malcolmmedia.com/california-fresh-fruit-subscriptions/.
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Huanglongbing Eradication Status in California Citrus
To date, the deadly citrus greening disease Huanglongbing or HLB has not been found in California’s commercial citrus orchards; however, it’s only a matter of time. HLB strikes continue to be detected in residential areas, and its vector has spread all over the state. Watch this brief interview with Victoria Hornbaker, head of the CDFA’s statewide citrus program, as she shares the current status of the spread of HLB and its vector the Asian citrus psyllid, and CDFA’s eradication efforts. Read more about it in California Fresh Fruit Magazine. Don’t currently receive California Fresh Fruit Magazine? Subscribe for free at https://malcolmmedia.com/california-fresh-fruit-subscriptions/.
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Citrus Crop Update with Central Valley Grower Arlen Miller
Harvest of the 2018-2019 citrus crop is underway, and growers are excited to reap the fruits of their labors. Watch this brief interview with third generation Central Valley citrus grower Arlen Miller as he shares his perspective on the coming crop and read more about him and his many diverse varieties of citrus in the coming issue of California Fresh Fruit Magazine. Don’t receive California Fresh Fruit Magazine? Subscribe for free at https://malcolmmedia.com/california-fresh-fruit-subscriptions/.