******************************************************

January 2015

Upcoming Events January Orange Crop Estimate Falls

Next CHMA Coordinated Psyllid Sprays Planned El Niño Climate Phase Expected???

Citrus Postbloom Fruit Drop Expected to be a Problem Again Citrus Flower Bud Advisory

Florida Blueberry Growers Association Spring Seminar

Florida Pomegranate Association Growers Meeting Early Bloom Period Disease Management in Blueberry

2015 Florida Citrus Pest Management Guide Available CHMA Map of the Month

Central Florida

and Fruit Crops Update

1

1

Upcoming Events

January 28 Review and Exams Ornamental/Turf and Private Applicator Ag

Pesticide License at the UF/IFAS—Lake County Office in Tavares

January 28-29 The 2015 Florida Citrus Show at the Havert L. Fenn Center in Ft.

Pierce

February 8-13 2015 International Research Conference on Huanglongbing (HLB)

at the Caribe Royale Hotel, Orlando

February 17 Florida Blueberry Growers Association Spring Seminar at the

Hillsborough Community College—Trinkle Center in Plant City

February 17 New Varieties Development and Management Corporation Fresh

Fruit Display at the CREC in Lake Alfred

February 28 Florida Pomegranate Association 2015 Growers Meeting at the

UF/IFAS Straughn Center in Gainesville

March 2-3 2015 Annual Meeting of the Florida Weed Science Society at the

Florida FFA Training Center in Haines City

March 3 Review and Exams Aquatic/Right of Way/Natural Areas Pesticide License

at the Orange County Extension Office in Orlando

March 6 Florida Citrus Hall of Fame—53rd Citrus Celebration Luncheon at Florida

Southern College in Lakeland

April 7 Florida Citrus Growers Institute at South Florida State College in Avon Park

January Orange Crop Estimate Falls

www.flchma.com

January 2015 Central Florida CHMA Coordinated Application Information

The schedule for the next coordinated Asian citrus psyllid spray application is as follows:

1. The South Lake/West Orange County and Green Swamp CHMAs will make a coordinated spray of a Pyrethroid insecticide on January 26 to February 2, 2015.

2. Local citrus grower, Rex Clonts, is coordinating an aerial application of a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide in the Conserv II area during the next coordinated spray in the South Lake/West Orange County and Green Swamp CHMAs. Please contact Rex at wrclonts@yahoo.com for information about participating in the helicopter application.

3. The Central Lake/North Orange County and North Lake/South Marion County CHMAs will make a coordinated spray of an Pyrethroid insecticide on February 2 to February 9, 2014.

Additional information on www.flchma.com

Next CHMA Coordinated Spray is Planned:

El Niño Climate Phase Expected???

In previous articles and during presentations at the 2014 Winter Weather

School, mention has been made about the probability of and El Niño climate phase developing and affecting weather patterns in Florida and

most of the southeastern United States. This weather phenomenon is associated with elevated water temperatures in the eastern Pacific Ocean in

the southern hemisphere and its eventual effect on upper air patterns in the continental US. Instead of the dipping jet stream that brings deep cold

air masses into the southeast, the flow is more zonal with systems moving laterally across the continental US, resulting in cooler and wetter than

normal weather patterns.

The good news is that the mainly zonal continental air pattern reduces the chance for deep arctic air masses from moving into the state and causing

damaging freezes. The reason that overall temperatures are cooler is the

increased overcast associated with storm systems moving zonally across the southern portion of the US.

On January 8, the Climate Prediction Center indicated a 50-60% chance of

a “weak” El Niño forming, although we remain for the time being in a Neutral Climate Phase. What does it mean if the El Niño does begin?

Cooler temperatures could slow development of vegetable and fruit crops. Wetter than normal weather can enhance the environment for plant

diseases. This could be especially significant in citrus blocks that had significant postbloom fruit drop problems last year.

You can monitor climate phase as well as other indices on the

AgroClimate Website.

Citrus Postbloom Fruit Drop Expected to be a Problem Again

As stated in the El Niño article in this issue, higher than normal rainfall

associated with that climate pattern, could increase the possibility of postbloom fruit drop (PFD) being a significant problem for citrus growers

this season. This could especially be troublesome in blocks that had high infection rates last season. Last season, PFD was most problematic in

navel and Valencia blocks, with some affect on Hamlin.

PFD is caused by a fungal pathogen called Colletotrichum acutatum. PFD spores are easily dispersed to susceptible citrus bloom by rainfall. Infection

occurs within 24 hours with symptoms visible within 4-5 days. In between bloom cycles, the PFD fungus survives on leaves, stems and persistent

buttons from immature fruit that dropped during infection. When scouting a grove, persistent buttons from a previous season are an indication that

PFD infection of the next bloom period could be anticipated, especially if

precipitation and extended periods of leaf wetness occur.

Two models for determining if fungicide treatments for PFD are necessary appear in the ’Citrus Pest Management Guide’: ’Postbloom Fruit Drop’

section. This publication also includes recommended fungicides and proper application instructions to manage this disease while reducing the

possibility of incurring fungicide resistance within this disease pest.

Citrus Flower Bud Advisory

On January 14, Dr. Gene Albrigo posted FLOWER BUD INDUCTION

ADVISORY #4 for 2014-2015. Dr. Albrigo mentions that all Florida production regions have initiation of bud growth from cool temperature

induction plus sufficient growth temperatures. He predicts a bloom date of February 10-15 for this “cool weather” induced bloom.

Dr. Albrigo describes a “shock bloom” primarily in weaker Hamlin blocks

that have been harvested and coinciding with some vegetative bud break. He describes the timing and characteristics of this “shock bloom” as being

similar to the one observed in January 2014.

You can obtain future Flower Bud Advisories with this link and run the Model for your location, cultivars and soils. Dr. Albrigo also mentions

monitoring for PFD in blocks where it was a problem last season.

2015 SPRING MEETING AND TRADESHOW

REGISTRATION NOW AVAILABLE!

The Florida Blueberry Growers Association spring meeting and tradeshow

will be held Tuesday, February 17th, 2015 at the Hillsborough Community College Trinkle Center from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM in Plant City, FL. This will

be a day long event of educational seminars as well as the opportunity to visit with 65 vendors to the blueberry industry. Lunch is included in your

paid admission and your receipt is your lunch ticket. Lunch will be provided by Curly Tails BBQ.

Registration Fees:

Members $15* (through Wednesday, February 11th at 1pm) Non-Members $45*

After February 11th and day of registration $45* *Pricing does not include Eventbrite registration fees

Seminar topics include (subject to change):

FBGA business meeting Update on the 2015 Blueberry Festival

Risk management: Crop insurance options for blueberry producers Current USDA blueberry research: Performance of southern highbush

blueberries under artificial shade and harvesting and packinghouse evaluation on fruit quality

Disease issues in Georgia that may impact Florida growers New blueberry cultivars from the University of Florida breeding program

Current status of labor regulations Grower panel: Update on the status of the 2015 crop and SWD Workshop.

Click to Register

Early Bloom Period Disease Management in Blueberry

Blueberry bloom has initiated in many locations within the region. As the

previous seasons have demonstrated there has been an increased incidence of diseases affecting the flowers and developing fruit. Botrytis

flower blight (BFB) can be common during this period, especially if overhead irrigation for freeze protection or significant rainfall occur.

Below is a chart extracted from the UF/IFAS Extension ‘Florida Blueberry

Integrated Pest Management Guide’ that depicts fungicides recommended for BFB Management. Dr. Phil Harmon has mentioned the potential of

resistance to some fungicides occurring in BFB. To reduce this risk, effective fungicides with different modes of action should be utilized within

a rotation program. The red figures on the chart represent the mode of action group(s) for the recommended fungicides.

More information on blueberry pest management is available in the ‘Florida Blueberry Integrated Pest Management Guide’ and the

‘2015 Southeast Regional Integrated Pest Management Guide’.

2015 Florida Citrus Pest Management Guide Available

Copies of the ‘2015 Florida Citrus Pest Management Guide’ are

now available. Please contact Anna at the Lake County Extension Office (352-343-4101 Ext. 2714 or

asperez@ufl.edu ) to make arrangements for you to pick up a guide.

COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES, Dr. Nick Place, Director, in cooperation with the

United States Department of Agriculture, publishes this information to further the purpose of the May 8 and June 30, 1914 Acts of Congress; and is authorized to provide research, educational

information, and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation,

marital status, national origin, political opinions, or affiliations. Single copies of extension publications (excluding 4-H and youth publications) are available free to Florida residents from

county extension offices. Information about alternate formats is available from IFAS Communication Services, University of Florida, PO Box 110810, Gainesville, FL 32611-0810.

CHMA Map of the Month

The map below is for the Volusia CHMA through January 9. Psyllid populations remain at

moderate levels throughout. In depth interpretation of these results can be obtained by

logging in to the CHMA Sectional Mapping Program on the CHMA Website Main Page:

http://www.crec.ifas.ufl.edu/extension/chmas/index.shtml

Central Florida Citruslines and Fruit Crops Update is published 6 times a year by the Central Florida Fruit Crops Advisory Committee and Central Florida Fruit Crops Extension Program: Gary K. England—Multi-county Extension Agent III gke@ufl.edu (352) 343-4101 Ext. 2729