California Ag Network

Tag: CPDPP

  • New Commercial HLB Detection Response Guide

    To ensure California citrus growers are well prepared in the event of a potential commercial grove detection of Huanglongbing (HLB), the deadly citrus plant disease that can be spread by the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), the Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Program (CPDPP) has developed a response guide for growers to utilize and educate themselves on the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) action plan.

    The Response Guide for a Confirmed HLB Positive Detection in a Commercial Grove details the steps taken by CDFA and actions required of the property or grove owner, as outlined in CDFA’s Action Plan.

    The actions in the response guide represent the most effective tools known to the citrus industry at this time and are meant to protect California’s citrus groves and support CDFA’s current required regulatory response. While, as of today, there have been no positive detections of HLB in a commercial citrus grove, the CPDPP recognizes the importance of proper preparation.

    In addition to the requirements outlined in the guide, growers are encouraged to use as many methods as feasible for their operation in order to limit the spread of the ACP and HLB.

    To read or download the response guide, please click HERE. If you have any questions or would like to order physical copies of this response guide, please visit our Resources page. — By the California Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Program

  • First CLas-Positive Asian Citrus Psyllid Found in San Diego

    An Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) sample – confirmed positive for Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), the bacteria that causes Huanglongbing (HLB) – was collected from a residential property in the Fallbrook area of San Diego County. Confirmed by Citrus Research Board’s Jerry Dimitman Laboratory, this adult psyllid sample is the first CLas-positive ACP found in San Diego County.

    While the first confirmation of a CLas-positive ACP in San Diego County is concerning, as of today, HLB has not been detected in any San Diego County trees but surveying and sampling of area trees is ongoing. This find signals a critical time for homeowners and growers alike to continue to control ACP populations to stop the potential spread of this deadly disease, as oftentimes a CLas-positive ACP precedes the detection of an HLB-positive tree.

    The HLB quarantine zone will not be expanded as a result of this CLas-positive ACP detection and CDFA staff is swiftly conducting surveys and collecting samples from HLB host plants that are located within a 250-meter radius around the find, per the ACP/HLB Action Plan.

    While treatment is not mandatory for area commercial growers as a result of the detection, San Diego County commercial growers who have additional questions can contact Sandra Zwaal, San Diego County Grower Liaison, at szwaal2@gmail.com.

    CLICK HERE for additional information from Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Program (CPDPP) Citrus Insider.

    Source: Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Program (CPDPP) Citrus Insider

  • California Citrus Nursery Society 2017 Annual Meeting Rec

    Temecula, Calif., (November 29, 2017) – The 2017 California Citrus Nursery Society (CCNS) annual meeting was held at the Embassy Suites in Temecula, CA on November 2, 2017. CRB Associate Research Scientist, Dr. Mojtaba Mohammadi and CRB Director of Communications, Carolina Evangelo attended the meeting which was led by CCNS Executive Director, Tom Delfino. The meeting featured talks from the following speakers:

    • Bob Atkins,of the California Pest and Disease Prevention Program (CPDPP), provided an update on program outreach efforts.
    • Dan Willey, of com, delivered a proposal on how to improve quarantine labeling.
    • Chandrika Ramadugu,of UC Riverside, gave a presentation on HLB resistant rootstocks.
    • Kelsey Schall, of the Hoddle Lab at UC Riverside, discussed how better Argentine ant control in citrus groves can result in improved ACP control by Tamarixia radiata, a parasitic wasp.
    • Frank Byrne, of UC Riverside, gave an update on ACP management in retail nursery stocks through neonicotinoid use.

    A Panel Discussion on the effects of the new HLB Quarantine Zone on UC Riverside was a highlight of the meeting. Panel participants included Dr. Tracy Kahn, Dr. Peggy Mauk, Dr. MaryLou Polek, Dr. Mike Roose and Dr. Georgios Vidalakis.

    The meeting concluded with a banquet and speech by Dr. Mike Roose highlighting the genetic relationships between citrus species.

    On Friday, November 3, a group of meeting attendees headed to UC Riverside where Dr. MaryLou Polek, led a tour of the USDA-ARS National Clonal Germplasm Repository for Citrus & Dates. Drs. Tracy Kahn and Mike Roose followed up with a tour of the Citrus Variety Collection (CVC) at UC Riverside. Dr. Chandrika Ramadugu led participants on a tour of ongoing field trials evaluating the horticultural traits of hybrid citrus trees developed for HLB resistance. After lunch, participants traveled to the Citrus Clonal Protection Program’s Rubidoux facility in Riverside.  Dr. Georgios Vidalakis, the CCPP director, gave a presentation on the history of CCPP including its mission and ongoing research activities.