The Integrated Management of Diseases and Pests in Sicily Citrus

摘要

' Protecting Sicilian agriculture' is the basic charge of Sicilian Department of Agriculture. Our projects must improve agricultural productivity and competitiveness and contribute to the national economy and the public health. Thus, in the period 2006 to 2008, IPM programmes for citrus tristeza virus (CTV) , a bud-union disease, and the use of broad-sprectrum insecticides to control red scale (Aonidiella aurantii) and argentine ant (Linepithema humile) were monitored. Evaluation of current practices and determining the status and the thresholds of the major diseases and pests from monitoring and fruits defects assessments were the major goals.. Brown citrus aphid (BCA, Toxoptera citricidus) , a very efficient vector of CTV, was found in Spain. Thus, we looked for BCA on 5% of young foliage in orchards during spring and autumn flushes. Citrus nurseries, producers and packinghouses were included in the survey. In nurseries, 8 454 out of 881 543 trees tested positive for CTV-infection and were removed. Augmentative release of Aphytis melinus seemed to hold promise for controlling red scale. The first 51 ' Tarocco' red orange fruit containers shipped to Japan market were checked for med-fly Ceratitis capitata and other grade defects.. Of the fruit evaluated, 5% was reduced to 2ndgrade. ' Calixless' and red scale were the major fruit defects. The project produced data for appraisal, research, website, newsletter, meeting and field day to develop grower guidelines for minimizing disruptive and environmentally incompatible sprays, to keep Sicily totally free of BCA and largely free of CTV.