Extension briefs August and September 2026
Extension briefs by the Citrus Research International Extension Team.
Extension briefs by the Citrus Research International Extension Team.
Extension briefs by the Citrus Research International Extension Team.
Integrated pest management, Crop and fruit quality management, Grondgedraagde siektes, Water management/waterbestuur, Postharvest pathology – waste prevention checklist.
Thrips management During October and November citrus fruit is highly susceptible to damage from citrus thrips. Therefore, orchards should be scouted at least once a week for this pest, being sure to look under the sepals. Citrus thrips larvae cause more serious damage than adult thrips. Therefore, low numbers of adults in the absence of larvae may not require immediate intervention. The intervention threshold for citrus thrips larvae on fruit is 2% for the first four weeks after petal fall, 3% for five to six weeks after petal fall, then 4% for seven to eight weeks after petal fall. These thresholds can be roughly doubled if the population comprises mostly adults.
COSMETIC PATHOGENS Postharvest cosmetic pathogens are diseases that only affect the rind or surface of the fruit. The symptoms may be severe but the internal quality is usually unaffected. The only reason we care about cosmetic pathogens is because consumers…
INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT False codling moth (FCM) | S.D. MOORE All fruit remaining on trees after harvest must be removed and destroyed within 14 days of harvesting being completed in the orchard. This is because FCM activity does not cease…
INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT T.G. GROUT, S.D. MOORE AND A. MANRAKHAN Phytosanitary pests All the recommendations made in the extension briefs for February and March also apply to this period. Fruit fly control in citrus areas is critical due to phytosanitary…