March 2025
Upcoming Citrus Grower Event – Loxton, March 14
Citrus growers are invited to a special event in Loxton on March 14 at 3pm, featuring three leading international scientists as part of the Graft-Transmissible Diseases Project.
Key topics and speakers:
· Biggest disease threats to Australian citrus – Nerida Donovan (NSW DPIRD).
· Managing Huanglongbing (HLB) & Citrus Variegated Chlorosis (CVC) in Brazil – Silvio Lopes (Fundecitrus, Brazil).
· How South Africa handles African greening & prepares for Asian HLB – Hans Maree (Citrus Research International, South Africa).
· California’s efforts to eradicate HLB & Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP) – Georgios Vidalakis (Californian Citrus Clonal Protection Program, USA)
This is a valuable opportunity to hear firsthand how other citrus-growing regions are tackling major disease challenges.
New Citrus Plant Protection Guide Now Available
The 6th edition of the Citrus Plant Protection Guide is now available, providing the latest information on managing pests and diseases in citrus orchards. This essential resource can be downloaded from the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) website: Citrus Plant Protection Guide.
This edition features updates on NSW DPIRD citrus projects, some funded through the HIA citrus levy, along with a revised article on Asian citrus psyllid and the devastating citrus disease Huanglongbing (HLB). There is also an update on the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) project focused on managing HLB.
Additional highlights include insights from Hort Innovation-funded projects covering:
· Afourer canopy management
· Citrus Integrated Disease and Pest Management (IDPM)
· Citrus tree intensification
This year’s guide also provides valuable information on managing resistance in postharvest fungicides and practical steps growers can take to prevent resistance issues.
Citrus SA committee meetings
Interested in finding out more about what happens behind the scenes at Citrus SA? Growers are welcome to attend the regular committee meetings. The next will be held on Tuesday, April 22 at 9am at the Waikerie Hotel. Please contact chair Mark Doecke on 0408499287 if you would like to attend.
March production tips
· Skirting:
Ensure that no more than one in 20 trees are touching the ground if registered for Korea and Thailand.
· KCT Audits:
Usually occur mid-late March. Ensure all monitoring records, spray diaries and calibration recordsare all updated. Liaise with your packing shed for confirmation of audit dates.
· Pruning and De-Suckering:
Keep on top of this in both young and mature trees.
· Irrigation:
Continue to monitor soil moisture as we move into autumn and modify as required. Check irrigation systems and flush regularly.
· Fruit Sizing:
Thinning of patches with heavy crop loads will help promote sizing.
· Nutrition:
Take leaf samples (for the dry matter method) for nutrient analysis to ensure effective fertiliser programs are implemented.
· Spraying:
Seek professional advice before spraying oil/GA as this could retard colour development of early maturing varieties. Consider your strategy for the application of copper from late March on as it not only controls pre-and post-harvest diseases but can also be useful for snail control.
· Heat Damage:
Inspect trees for sunburn. Varieties such as Satsuma, Honey Murcott, Cara Caras, and Amigos are most susceptible. Determine whether any fruit should be removed prior to harvest.
All advice is general in nature and growers should refer to packing sheds and consultants for individual advice.
Citrus news from around the world
Eating an orange a day could cut your risk of depression by 20 per cent, that’s according to a Harvard study. Read more here
New episode of the Citrus Segment
The latest chair chat is now available. Check out the Citrus Segment on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Is there a topic you would like us to cover? Perhaps a profile piece on a grower or industry representative? Send Kerrie an email at contact@citrussa.com.au and she’ll follow it up.