October 2021

Citrus SA AGM – October 15
The Citrus SA AGM will be held on Friday, October 15. Registrations and coffee from 8:45 for a 9am start at the Riverland Events Centre. The day will conclude with lunch from Pete’s Pizza. A full agenda and annual report will be distributed – keep an eye on your inbox.
The committee is also looking for new members please contact chair Mark Doecke on 0408 499 287 if you are interest. Please RSVP to the AGM by Monday, October 11 for catering purposes to contact@citrussa.com.au
 
Gall wasp traps ready to hit the market
Agnova will have a limited number of Citrus Gall Wasp Traps available this Spring. These are the traps which were developed in partnership with Citrus SA and the University of Adelaide.
Two years of delays have been frustrating with the Covid restrictions for manufacturing and production and the purchase of AgNova by American Vanguard Australia. 
The next step of interest to commercial growers is the delivery of the Lure technology in a Splat style application in orchards. Over the next few months Agnova will focus on the development a formulation of the lure, including an insecticide, which will be suitable for the splat technology delivery in order to be set up to complete extensive field trials in 2022.
Full commercialisation of the Citrus Gall Wasp trap, for home gardens, will occur in 2022.
Commercialisation of the Citrus Gall Wasp splat technology, dependant on trial results, will occur in 2023
 

Orchard clearing to reduce fruit fly risk
·       With the weather warming up it is more important than ever to do everything we can to reduce the risk of fruit fly.
·       Biosecurity officers have continued working hard across the cooler months, placing baits, clearing fallen fruit from highest-risk areas, systematically checking for fruit fly larvae, and releasing sterile flies.
·       All of these treatments are agreed under Australia’s National Fruit Fly Management Protocols.
·       Spring foliage means baiting activities will increase as fruit fly become more active.
·       We need your help to prevent fruit fly numbers rising as we come into summer.
·       Ripe fallen fruit lying on the ground poses a risk to fruit fly infestation and to extending the life cycle of fruit fly. As does overripe fruit and vegetables left on trees and plants.
·       Do the right thing – be a responsible grower and keep your orchard clean.
·       Pull off any remaining fruit from your trees and rake up fallen fruit. 
o   If you’re not in an Outbreak Red Centre (i.e. not within 200m of an outbreak trigger), this fruit can be destroyed on site by mulching and then optionally applying a registered insecticide such as Samurai or Dimethoate.
o   If you’re in an Outbreak Red Centre, PIRSA will be in touch with you about disposing of that fruit.  
o   If you’re unsure if your property falls within 200m of an outbreak trigger, please contact PIRSA for specific advice by calling the Riverland Industry Hotline on 1800 255 556.
 
Production Calendar - October
Hedging, Pruning and skirting: Pruning is a proven practice to increase fruit size, produce premium fruit by improving the pack-out percentage and reduce skin damage/ blemish. It also improves water distribution, chemical coverage and pest management. It is important to review the crop load of all patches this past season and determine a pruning strategy for each patch depending on crop load and expected blossom this season. 
Foliar nutrient spray and fertigation: It is important to apply a foliar spray after fruit set to balance nutrition and supply trace elements in the tree and to improve fruit size.
Pesticide controls: Critical timing to control LBAM, Mealy Bug, Thrips, Katydid, Scales, Aphids, Spined citrus Bug and Citrus gall wasp. It is important to keep track of CGW emergence to ensure control strategies are as effective as possible. 
Increase Fruit set sprays:  Now is the time to consider fruit set strategies based on the previous seasons crop load. Please consult with your packing shed/GLO/consultant for rates, etc. 
Irrigation: This is critical during flowering and fruit set, regular maintenance of infrastructure and monitoring of soil moisture is critical to ensure trees are not stressed. This is really important following another dry winter with well below average rainfall.
Weed control: Knockdown herbicides or residual herbicides as required.

Fruit fly industry update from PIRSA

PIRSA’s latest Fruit Fly update has been released.  It includes a summary of outbreak end dates, the spring control program, new fruit fly technology trialling innovative Biofeed 'FreeDome' lures across fruit fly affected areas in metropolitan Adelaide, sterile fly release updates, Riverland Pest Free Area updates and much more. You can view the newsletter here.