California Fruit and Vegetable

Category: Citrus

  • California Navel Orange Forecast Up from Last Year

    The initial 2024-25 California Navel orange forecast is 78.0 million cartons, up 2% from the previous year. These forecasts are based on the results of the 2024-25 Navel Orange Objective Measurement (O.M.) Survey, which was conducted from June 8 to August 25, 2024. Estimated fruit set per tree, fruit diameter, trees per acre, bearing acreage, and oranges per box were used in the statistical models estimating production.

    This forecast includes production of conventional, organic, and specialty Navel oranges (including Cara Cara and Blood orange varieties).

    Survey data indicated a fruit set per tree of 414, up 24% from the previous year. The average September 1 diameter was 2.063 inches, down 5% from last year. Bearing acreage is estimated at 110,000, which results in a forecasted yield of 709 cartons per acre.

    CARA CARA PRODUCTION FORECAST

    Cara Cara variety production is forecast at 9.0 million cartons. Survey data indicated a fruit set per tree of 301, up 10% from the previous year and 15% above the five-year average of 262. The average diameter on September 1 was 2.142 inches, 2% below the previous year and 2% below the five-year average of 2.180 inches.

    SURVEY SAMPLE

    A sample of 804 Navel orange groves was randomly selected proportional to county and variety bearing acreage, and 749 of the groves were utilized in this survey. Once a grove was randomly chosen and grower permission was granted, two trees were randomly selected.

    For each randomly selected tree, the trunk was measured along with all connected branches. A random number table was then used to select a branch, and then all connected branches from the randomly selected branch were measured.

    This process was repeated until a branch was reached with no significant limbs beyond this point. This randomly selected branch, called the terminal branch, was then closely inspected to count all fruit connected to this branch, as well as all of the fruit along the path from the trunk to the terminal branch. Since each selected path has a probability of selection associated with the path, a probability-based method was then applied to estimate a fruit count for the entire tree.

    In the last week of the survey period, fruit diameter measurements were made on the right quadrant of four trees surrounding the two trees of every third grove. These measurements were used to estimate an average fruit diameter per tree. Of the 749 utilized groves, 126 were in Fresno County, 425 were in Tulare County, 171 were in Kern County, and 27 were in the remaining counties.

    SURVEY HISTORY

    A Navel Orange Objective Measurement Survey has been conducted in the Central Valley every year since the 1984-85 crop year, except for the 1991-92 season due to a lack of funding. The data from the first two years were used for research purposes in developing crop-estimating models. The Cara Cara forecast was undertaken at the request of the California Citrus Advisory Committee starting with the 2018-19 crop year.

    Beginning in the 2023-24 crop year, only state level forecasts will be published, and the Central Valley forecasts will be discontinued.

  • Vietnam Grants Market Access For California Peaches And Nectarines

    The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that Vietnam has granted market access for California peaches and nectarine effective immediately. Eliminating the phytosanitary barriers keeping California peaches and nectarines out of the Vietnamese market required multiple rounds of technical negotiations over the course of several years.

    “This market access is a big win for California’s nectarine and peach producers,” said USDA’s Jenny Lester Moffitt, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs. “Our APHIS trade team members have worked diligently to make this opened market a reality for Vietnam’s citizens. We are thrilled they will now have access to the fine peach and nectarine fruit that California produces.”

    The California Fresh Fruit Association (CFFA) would like to extend its appreciation to the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Foreign Agricultural Service, and Agricultural Research Service’s negotiators and experts, the California Department of Food and Agriculture, and the Fresno County and Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner offices for their invaluable contributions to this process.

    “This is a fantastic example of USDA scientists providing the quality and objective research that was essential for Vietnam’s approval and for future U.S. industry exports,” said Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young, USDA Chief Scientist and Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics. “This new international market access underscores the critical value of federal scientific research and data to the overall food supply system.”

    There will be strict production and packing protocols in place but given the enduring success of existing export programs, California stone fruit shippers have already demonstrated a commitment to meeting Vietnam’s requirements.

    “The California stone fruit industry identified Vietnam as a strategic export market because Vietnamese consumers value high quality and sweet fruit. Naturally, the varieties California growers have invested in over the years will be popular there. Access to this market is something our industry has been working towards for a significant amount of time, so we are looking forward to introducing the best stone fruit in the world to a new group of consumers” said Caroline Stringer, CFFA Director of Trade.

    The California Fresh Fruit Association is a voluntary, public policy organization that represents growers, packers, and shippers of the California table grape, blueberry, kiwi, pomegranate, and deciduous tree fruit communities. CFFA serves as a representative for these growers, shippers, and packers, on issues at both the state and federal levels. More information on the Association can be found at www.cafreshfruit.com.

  • Dragon Fruit Grower Workshop, July 17-18

    UCANR is partnering with the University of Florida among other universities in putting on a Dragon Fruit Workshop to be held at the Miami-Dade County Extension Service (Homestead, FL) during July 17-18, 2024. This is a free event, where lunch and light refreshments will be provided. This meeting is part of the grant entitled “Evaluating the Potential Expansion and Diversification of the Dragon Fruit Industry in North America” (FLA-TRC-006408). At this workshop attendees will learn about Dragon fruit pollination, production and post-harvest practices, insect pests and diseases, and more.

    Attendees will also visit two Dragon fruit plantings. See the tentative agenda below. In order to attend in-person or online you MUST register (the link below).

    https://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0SpTDLWnPxRoRuJ

    If you have additional questions, please contact Dr. Romina Gazis (r.gazisseregina@ufl.edu) or Shelby Weber (shelby.weber1@ufl.edu)

    Tentative Agenda

    DAY 1 [July 17, 2024 / 8 am – 5 pm]

    8:00 – 9:00: Registration, coffee & snacks.
    9:00 – 9:15: Welcome words from the organizers. Housekeeping items.
    9:15 – 10:10: State Reports. Five States (FL, CA, TX, PR, HI).
    10:10 – 11:00: Growing dragon fruit in a changing climate.
    11:00 – 11:30: Dragon Fruit Diseases [general]
    11:30 – 12:00: Dragon fruit stem and fruit canker.

    12:00 – 1:00: LUNCH [included for all participants]

    1:00 – 1:30: Dragon Fruit Pests and Pollinators.
    1:30 – 2:00: Cultural practices related to crop health.
    2:00 – 3:00: Section industry perspective.
    3:00 – 4:00: Section economics.
    4:00 – 5:00: Section postharvest and consumer preferences.
    5:00 – 5:10: Wrap up / Housekeeping items for day 2.

     DAY 2 [July 18, 2024 / 8 am – 5 pm]

    8:00 – 9:00: Group meet up, coffee & snacks.
    9:00 – 12:00: Visit to two dragon fruit fields (two local plantings).

    12:00 – 1:00: LUNCH [included for all participants]

    1:00 – 2:00: Visit to TREC’s Dragon Fruit variety planting.
    2:00 – 3:00: Industry brainstorming session and research priorities selection.
    3:00 – 4:00: Closing Remarks and future efforts.

  • Victoria Hornbaker Moves from Director of Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Division to Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services Division

    The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Division (CPDPD) has announced that as of May 14, 2024, Victoria Hornbaker, former director of the CPDPD, will transition to her new role as the director of the CDFA’s Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services (PHPPS) Division. David Gutierrez, branch chief of the CPDPD, will serve as interim director while a recruitment process is conducted to find a permanent hire for the role.

    During her tenure, Victoria played a pivotal role in the development of the CPDPD, which was officially declared a division of CDFA in 2019. For the past 11 years, Victoria has led efforts to develop and execute innovative strategies to manage various citrus pest and disease threats, including the Asian citrus psyllid and Huanglongbing.

    With Victoria’s transition to her new position as director of the PHPPS Division, David Gutierrez has been appointed as the interim director of the CPDPD, bringing his experience of serving as branch chief to the role, and will maintain the CPDPD’s various operations and activities during this transitional period.

    CDFA will be recruiting for a permanent director to lead the CPDPD in the coming months. For any questions regarding the CPDPD or this transition, please email cdfa.cpdpd@cdfa.ca.gov.

  • HLB Funding Prioritized in Farm Bill Proposal

    California Citrus Mutual (CCM) commends Chairwoman Stabenow of the Senate Agriculture Committee and Chairman Glenn Thompson from the House Agriculture Committee for prioritizing the citrus industry’s fight against Huanglongbing (HLB) in each of their frameworks for the 2024 Farm Bill. Each Chair’s framework continues support of the Emergency Citrus Disease Research and Extension Program at $25 million per year for the life of the Farm Bill.

    “This is a significant step towards reaching a bipartisan Farm Bill compromise that will continue critical research to find a cure to Huanglongbing,” said CCM President/CEO Casey Creamer.  “While this isn’t the finish line, it clearly signals that Congress supports maintaining citrus funding.  We thank the Chairs of the Committee and our California Congressional delegation for championing our needs.”

    The $25 million in funding will go to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to fund research to find a cure for HLB. The funding is overseen by grower representatives from California, Texas, and Florida.

    This is a big win for the citrus industry as there were significant headwinds with the current fiscal battles in Washington, D.C., including escalating Farm Bill baseline expenditures and competing priorities within agriculture.  It proves the strength of the advocacy partnership with Florida and Texas Citrus Mutuals in addition to the strong support received from allied industry organizations.

    About California Citrus Mutual (CCM)

    CCM is a voluntary, non-profit trade association representing California citrus growers on the economic, regulatory, and political issues that most impact them.

  • California Citrus Breeding Program Expanding with Congressional Support

    Today, Presidents of California Citrus Mutual (CCM) and Citrus Research Board (CRB) issued statements applauding Congressional leaders for recently approving additional funds for the new citrus breeding program in Parlier, California. Congress is allocating an additional $500,000 in federal funding on top of the $1 million granted last year to expand the program into California. The program will now receive $1.5 million in federal funds on an annual basis along with the $500,000 that CRB provides the program with annually.

    “CRB was instrumental in developing the concept for the California based program and was also involved in efforts to establish the nationwide program while CCM advocated to secure funding,” said CRB President Marcy Martin. “Our two organizations working together on behalf of the industry has been instrumental in getting this program off the ground.”

    “On behalf of the industry, I would like to thank our congressional leaders and the Committee for their continued support of this program, which will help us find solutions to issues specific to our growers located in California,” said CCM President and CEO Casey Creamer. “I would like to specifically extend our gratitude to Congressmen Costa and Valadao and Senator Padilla for championing the need for this program in D.C.”

    The California citrus breeding program will focus on fresh market citrus. Funding will go towards research and development of high-quality, superior citrus selections well suited to California growing regions, changing climatic pressures, consumer taste preferences, and resistance to pest and diseases, such as huanglongbing (HLB).

    The California program is an expansion of the existing national USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) citrus breeding program located in Fort Pierce, Florida, which is focused primarily on varieties that are optimized for Florida growing conditions. Work done through the Florida program has resulted in new varieties with higher yields, increased disease resistance, improved color, and a longer shelf life.

    The Florida and California breeding programs along with the continued support from the University of California citrus breeding program at UC Riverside will work together to deliver results for California based growers.

    The California citrus breeding program is located at the USDA-ARS field station in Parlier. Thanks to funds that have already come in, forward progress continues to be made with the addition of a dedicated scientist, developing plans for construction of a greenhouse and laboratory, and securing additional ground for the program.

    About California Citrus Mutual (CCM)
    CCM is a voluntary, non-profit trade association representing California citrus growers on the economic, regulatory, and political issues that most impact them.

    About the Citrus Research Board (CRB)
    The CRB administers the California Citrus Research Program, the grower-funded and grower-directed program established in 1968 under the California Marketing Act as the mechanism enabling the State’s citrus producers to sponsor and support needed research. More information about the Citrus Research Board may be found at www.citrusresearch.org.

  • RNAi Technology: Another Biological Tool in the IPM Arsenal

    As the food production faces the persistent threat of endemic and invasive pests, researchers continue to develop new technologies and strategies for protecting crops from these threats.  One such new technology is RNA interference (RNAi) with targeted mechanisms towards specific pests.  RNAi can be used as a trait in a crop or as a sprayable product against the target pest.  Before delving further into this here are a few basic details of this biological process that will help understand the RNAi mechanism.

    Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in the chromosomes of most living organisms contains genetic code for making proteins that are essential for various biological processes.  Ribonucleic acid (RNA) carries the genetic code from DNA to the protein-making factories within the cell known as ribosomes.  DNA has two strands of nucleotides (sets of deoxyribose sugar with nitrogenous bases connected by a phosphate group) whereas RNA has only one strand of nucleotides.  RNA also differs from DNA in having ribose sugar, instead of deoxyribose, and a different kind of nitrogenous base.  The purpose of RNA is to transfer the genetic code from DNA as amino acids are made in ribosomes.  A chain of amino acids makes a specific protein.  Examples of proteins in insects include juvenile hormone responsible for development and reproductive maturation, ecdysone responsible for molting and metamorphosis, digestive enzymes like amylases, glycosidases, lipases, and proteases, and esterases that are important in metabolizing various compounds that regulate behavior, development, insecticidal resistance, and other processes.

    RNAi involves silencing the expression of a specific gene by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) pieces (either small interfering RNA or microRNA each containing about 21-23 nucleotide pairs) attaching to messenger RNA (mRNA) carrying the code from DNA and thus interfering with the production of a specific protein.  RNAi is also known as post-transcriptional gene silencing because the silencing is done after the DNA code is transcribed to mRNA.  RNAi is a natural phenomenon that helps organisms to defend against infections or regulate gene expression.  For example, when there is a viral infection, cells activate RNAi to destroy virus particles.  RNAi-based therapies are currently used in the medical field to treat cancer and neurological issues and to regulate oxalic acid in urine or the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in blood.

    RNAi can be used in agriculture for improving yield or quality, imparting abiotic stress tolerance or pest resistance, and incorporating other desirable traits or as biopesticides in crop protection (Bharathi et al., 2023; Chaudhary et al., 2024).  Many research studies have been exploring the RNAi potential in agriculture for decades (Fletcher et al., 2020).  Modifying plant height in apple (Zhao et al., 2016), rice (Qiao et al., 2007), and tomato (Cheng et al., 202); imparting drought, salt, and heat tolerance in cotton (Abdurakhmonov et al., 2014), abiotic stress tolerance in cereal crops (Dubrovna et al., 2023), and cold tolerance in tomato (Jiao et al., 2024); imparting resistance to blast (Magnaporthe grisea) and leaf blight (Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae) in rice (Jiang et al., 2009), citrus canker (Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri) in citrus (Enrique et al., 2011), late blight (Phytophthora infestans) in potato (Eschen-Lippold et al., 2012), Fusarium head and seedling blight (Fusarium graminearum) in wheat (Cheng et al., 2015), soybean mosaic virus in soybean (Kim et al., 2016); imparting resistance to bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) in cotton (Mao et al., 2007 and 2011) and resistance to brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens) in rice (Zha et al., 2011); and imparting resistance to root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) in tomato (Dutta et al., 2015) and soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines) in soybean (Guo et al., 2015) are some of the examples of improving crop traits.

    The first RNAi crop in the United States is corn (SmartStax® PRO) against the western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera) containing both Bacillus thuringiensis toxins and RNAi technology (Head et al., 2017).  With its ability to resist both below- and above-ground lepidopteran pests, this hybrid is an important IPM tool.  This hybrid is also available in Canada for cultivation, and grain and products from the hybrid are approved for consumption in the European Union.  RNAi-based crops are not considered genetically modified organisms (GMOs) because they do not contain a foreign gene to express a particular protein like GMOs but use a natural mechanism to silence a particular gene.

    In addition to adding desirable traits to crops, RNAi has also been explored or developed for treating plants against pests and diseases.  While RNAi crops use the host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) method, RNAi biopesticides use the spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS).  SIGS has been explored for controlling Fusarium graminearum in barley (Koch et al., 2016), sucking and/or stem-boring insects in multiple crops (Li et al. 2015; Hunter and Wintermantel, 2021; Jain et al., 2022), hawthorn spider mite (Amphitetranychus viennensis) in fruit trees and woody ornamentals (Yang et al., 2023).  The first sprayable formulation of RNAi-based biopesticide is CalanthaTM from GreenLight Biosciences against the Colorado potato beetle (CPB), Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Rodrigues et al., 2021).  The active ingredient is a dsRNA molecule known as Ledprona (Leptinotarsa decemlineata-specific recombinant double-stranded interfering Oligonucleotide GS2).  It belongs to a new class of insecticides under group 35 as an RNAi-mediated target suppressor.  Applied as a foliar spray, Ledprona suppresses the gene that produces proteasome subunit beta type-5 (PSBT5) in CPB and arrests insect feeding within 2-3 days after it is ingested leading to the death of the pest.  PSBT5 is an essential protein important in maintaining cellular protein quality by degrading damaged or misfolded proteins or proteins that are no longer needed.

    RNAi can also be used to protect honey bees from the Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus (Hunter et al., 2010) and the Varroa mite (Garbian et al., 2012).  In field studies, honey bee populations and honey production increased when bees were fed dsRNA for the virus in the presence of virus in the colonies (Hunter et al., 2010).  The ectoparasite Varroa mite is a major threat to the honey bee colony health and its management is a significant challenge.  When honey bees ingest the mite-specific dsRNA that silences the calcium ion-binding protein known as calmodulin, the dsRNA is transmitted to the Varroa mite feeding on the hemolymph of the bees resulting in mite mortality (Garbian et al., 2012).

    As with any new technology, it is important to consider the impact of RNAi on the environment and non-target organisms.  Environmental risks and regulatory aspects of RNAi-based products have been reviewed in various reports (Liu et al., 2021; De Schutter et al., 2022; Christiaens et al., 2022).  Microbial activity, UV radiation, and other environmental conditions degrade dsRNA and they are generally less stable in the environment, especially under the field conditions where they are used (Bachman et al., 2020).  Studies showed that dsRNA degraded within two days in soil and 1-3 days in the aquatic environment (Dubelman et al., 2014; Fishcer et al., 2017).  Chen et al. (2023) reported that while an RNAi-based biopesticide was highly effective against the 28-spotted ladybeetle (Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata), a pest of solanaceous crops, it had no non-target effect on the predatory lady beetle Propylea japonica.  Similarly, studies showed that the dsRNA developed for controlling Varroa mite were safe for honey bees (Tan et al., 2016; Vélez et al., 2016) and the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexxippus) whose calmodulin mRNA has a slight match to the Varroa-active dsRNA (Krishnan et al., 2021).

    With regards to Ledprona, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that it has minimal human and environmental risks due to low application rates, rapid microbial degradation in the environment, and physiological barriers and degradation mechanisms in mammals.  EPA also gave Ledprona a “No Effect” determination according to the Endangered Species Act.

    Environmental instability is one of the concerns for SIGS but formulation technology can address this problem.  Instead of spraying naked dsRNA, formulating it with layered double hydroxide clay nanoparticles known as BioClay significantly extended the stability of dsRNA.  Spraying dsRNA in BioClay provided protection against pepper mild mottle virus and cucumber mosaic virus at least for 20 days and dsRNA was detected on the leaves 30 days after application (Mitter et al., 2017).  Similarly, spraying BioClay-formulated dsRNA 5 days before exposing to virus-containing green peach aphids (Myzus persicae) offered protection against the bean common mosaic virus in cowpea and benth (Nicotiana benthamiana) (Worrall et al., 2019).  In a more recent study, BioClay-formulated dsRNA against gray mold (Botrytis cenerea) increased disease protection from 1 week to 3 weeks on leaves and 5 days to 10 days on fruit (Niño-Sánchez et al., 2022).

    Arthropod pests and pathogens are resilient and rapidly evolving organisms and can develop resistance to RANi technology just like they develop to pesticides or transgenic crops.  Whether it is HIGS or SIGS, avoiding heavy reliance on one tool and adopting integrated pest management (IPM) and resistance management strategies is crucial even when using RNAi.  An IPM strategy that takes advantage of multiple tools will minimize the risk of resistance development while achieving desired pest suppression. — By Surendra Dara, Oregon State University Extension Entomologist

    References

    Abdurakhmonov, I. Y., Z. T. Buriev, S. Saha, J. N. Jenkins, A. Abdukarimov and A. E. Pepper.  2014.  Phytochorme RNAi enhances major fibre quality and agronomic traits of the cotton Gossypium hirsutum L.  Nat. Comm. 5: 3062. https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms4062.

    Backman, P., J. Fischer, Z. Song, E. Urbanczyk-Wochniak and G. Watson.  2020.  Environmental fate and dissipation of applied dsRNA in soil, aquatic systems, and plants.  Front. Plant Sci. 11: 508351. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2020.00021.

    Bharathi, J. K., R. Anandan, L. K. Benjamin, S. Muneer, and M.A.S. Prakash.  2023.  Recent trends and advances of RNA interference (RNAi) to improve agricultural crops and enhance their resilience to biotic and abiotic stresses.  Plant Physiol. Biochem. 194: 600-618.

    Chaudhary, D., A. S. Jeena, S. Gaur, R. Raj, S. Mishra, O. P. Gupta, and M. R. Meena.  2024.  Advances in RNA interference for plant functional genomics: unveiling traits mechanisms, and future directions.  Appl. Biochem. Biotechnol. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-023-04850-x.

    Chen, S. X. Luo, S. Nanda, C. Yang, Z. Li, Y. Zhang, X. Zhou and H. Pan.  2023.  RNAi-based biopesticides against 28-spotted ladybeetle Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata does not harm the insect predator Propylea japonica.  J. Agric. Food Chem. 71: 3373-3384.

    Cheng, W., S. Yin, Y. Tu, H. Mei, Y. Wang and Y. Yang.  2020.  SICAND1, encoding cullin-associated NEdd8-dissociated protein 1, regulates plant height, flowering time, seed germination, and root architecture in tomato.  Plant Mol. Biol. 102: 537-551. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11103-020-00963-7.

    Cheng, W., X.-S. Song, H.-P. Li, L.-H. Cao, K. Sun, X.-L. Qiu, Y.-B. Xu, P. Yang, T. Huang, J.-B. Zhang, B. Qu and Y.-C. Liao.  2015.  Host-induced gene silencing of an essential chitin synthase gene confers durable resistance to Fusarium head blight and seedling blight in wheat.  Plant Biotechnol. J. 13: 1335-1345. https://doi.org/10.1111/pbi.12352.

    Christiaens, O., J. Sweet, T. Dzhambazova, I. Urru, G. Smagghe, K. Kostov and S. Arpaia.  2022.  Implementation of RNAi-based arthropod pest control: environmental risks, potential for resistance and regulatory considerations.  J. Pest Sci. 95: 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10340-021-01439-3.

    De Schutter, K., C.N.T. Taning, L. Van Daele, E.J.M. Van Damme, P. Dubruel and G. Smagghe.  2022.  RNAi-based biocontrol products: market status, regulatory aspects, and risk assessment.  Front. Insect Sci. 1: 818037. https://doi.org/10.3389/finsc.2021.818037.

    Dubelman, S., J. Fischer, F. Zapata, K. Huizinga, C. Jiang, J. Uffman, S. Levine and D. Carson.  2014.  Environmental fate of double-stranded RNA in agricultural soils. PLoS One. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0093155.

    Dubrovna, O. V., S. I Mykhalska, and A. G. Komisarenko.  2023.  Use of RNA interference technology for improving economically valuable traits of cereal crops.  Cytology and Genetics 57: 587-610.

    Dutta, T. K., P. K. Papolu, P. Banakar, D. Choudhary, A. Sirohi and U. Rao.  2015.  Tomato transgenic plants expressing hairpin construct of a nematode protease gene conferred enhanced resistance to root-knot nematodes.  Front. Microbiol. 6: 260. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2015.00260.

    Enrique, R., F. Siciliano, M. A. Favaro, N. Gerhardt, R. Roeschlin, L. Rigano and M. R. Marano.  2011.  Novel demonstration of RNAi in citrus reveals importance of citrus callose synthase in defence against Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri.  Plant Biotehnol. J. 9: 394-407. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-7652.2010.00555.x.

    Eschen-Lippold, L., R. Ladgraf, U. Smolka, S. Schulze, M. Heilmann, I. Heilmann, G. Hause and S> ROsahl.  2012.  Activation of defense against Phytophthora infestans in potato by down-regulation of syntaxin gene expression.  The Ne Phytologist 193: 985-996. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8137.2011.04024.x.

    Fischer, J. R., F. Zapata, S. Dubelman, G. M. Mueller, J. P. Uffman, C. Jiang, P. D. Jensen and S. L. Levine.  2017.  Aquatic fate of a double-stranded RNA in a sediment-water system following an over-water application.  Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 36: 727-734. https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.3585.

    Fletcher, S. J., P. T. Reeves, B. T. Hoang, and N. Mitter.  2020. A perspective on RNAi-based biopesticides.  Frontiers in Plant Science 11: 51. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2020.00051.

    Garbian, Y., E. Maori, H. Kalev, S. Shafir and I. Sela.  2012.  Bidirectional transfer of RNAi between honey bee and Varroa destructor: Varroa gene silencing reduces Varroa population.  PLoS Pathogens 8: e1003035. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1003035.

    Guo, X., D. Chronis, C. M. De La Torre, J. Smeda, X. Wang and M. G. Mitchum.  2015.  Enhanced resistance to sybean cyst nematode Heterodera glycines in transgenic soybean by silencing putative CLE receptors.  Plant Biotechnol. J. 13: 801-810. https://doi.org/10.1111/pbi.12313.

    Head, G. P., M. W. Carroll, S. P. Evans, D. M. Rule, A. R. Willse, T. L. Clark, N. P. Storer, R. D. Flannagan, L. W. Samuel and L. J. Meinke.  2017.  Evaluation of SmartStax and SmartStax PRO maize against western corn rootworm and northern corn rootworm: efficacy and resistance management.  Pest Manag. Sci. 73: 1883-1899.  https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.4554.

    Hunter, W., J. Ellis, D. vanEngelsdorp, J. Hayes, D. Westervelt, E. Glick, M. Williams, I. Sela, E. Maori, J. Pettis, D. Cox-Foster and N. Paldi.  2010.  Large-scale field application of RNAi technology reducing Israili Acute Paralysis Virus disease in honey bees (Apis mellifera, Hymenoptera: Apidae). PLoS Pathogens 6: e1001160. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1001160.

    Hunter, W. B. and W. M. Wintermantel.  2021.  Optimizing efficient RNAi-mediated control of hemipteran pests (psyllids, leafhoppers, whitefly): modified pyrimidines in drRNA triggers.  Plants 10: 1782. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10091782.

    Jain, R. G., S. J. Fletcher, N. Manzie, K. E. Robinson, P. Li, E. Lu, C. A. Brosnan, Z. P. Xu and N. Mitter.  2022. Foliar application of clay-delivered RNA interference for whitefly control.  Nature Plants 8: 535-548.

    Jiang, C.-J., M. Shimono, S. Maeda, H. Inoue, M. Mori, M. Hasegawa, S. Sugano and H. Takatsuji.  2009.  Suppression of the rice fatty-acid desaturase gene OsSSI2 enhances resistance to blast and leaf blight diseases in rice.  Mol. Reprod. Dev. 22: 820-829. https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-22-7-0820.

    Jiao, C., J. Sun. and Y. Wei.  2024.  SlWRKY31 enhances chilling tolerance by interacting with SlSIZ1 in tomato fruit.  Postharvest Biol. Technol. 207: 112631. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2023.112631.

    Kim, H. J., M. J. Kim, J. H. Pak, H. H. Im, D. H. Lee, K. H. Ki, and Y. S. Chung.  2016.  RNAi-mediated soybean mosaic virus (SMV) resistance of a Korena soybean cultivar.  Plant Biotechnol. Reports 10: 257-267. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11816-016-0402-y.

    Koch, A., D. Biedenkopf, A. Furch, L. Weber, O. Rossbach, E. Abdellatef, L. Linicus, J. Johannsmeier, L. Jelonek, A. Goesmann, V. Cardoza, J. McMillan, T. Mentzel and K.-H. Kogel.  2016.  An RNAi-based control of Fusarium graminearum infections through spraying of long dsRNAs involves a plant passage and is controlled by the fungal silencing machinery.  PLoS Pathogens 12: e1005901. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1005901.

    Krishnan, N., M. J. Hall, R. L. Hellmich, J. R. Coats and S. P. Bradbury.  2021.  Evaluating toxicity of Varroa mite (Varroa destructor)-active dsRNA to monarch butterfly (Danaus Plexippus) larvae.  PLoS One 16: e0251884. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0251884.

    Li, H. R. Guan, H. Guo and X. Miao.  2015.  New insights into an RNAi approach for plant defence against piercing-sucking and stem-borer insect pests.  Plant, Cell & Environment 38: 2277-2285. https://doi.org/10.1111/pce.12546.

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    Mao, Y. B., W. J. Cai, J. W. Wang, G. J. Hong, X. Y. Tao, L. J. Wang and X. Y. Chen.  2007.  Silencing a cotton bollworm P450 monooxygenase gene by plant-mediated RNAi impairs larval tolerance of gossypol.  Nat. Biotehnol. 25: 1307-1313. https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt1352.

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  • Citrus Thrips Field Day at Lindcove on April 9

    As thrips season approaches, University of California Cooperative Extension Advisor Sandipa Gautam is organizing a field day focused on citrus thrips. This event will be organized at Lindcove Research Center on April 9, from 9:00 AM -11:00 AM.

    This objective of field day is to teach PCAs/field scouts about thrips biology and identification, differentiating flower thrips from citrus thrips, and best management approaches as we continue to address the challenges in managing citrus thrips.Continuing Education: 2.0 other units pending approval.

    For the full agenda, please click here. To register for the field day, please click here.

  • Update to ACP and HLB Bulk Citrus Movement Requirements

    Effective March 12, 2024, the Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Division (CPDPD) has updated the requirements for moving bulk citrus fruit from an Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) quarantine zone to a packer/processor in a Huanglongbing (HLB) quarantine area. Citrus fruit may now be moved from any ACP quarantine zone to an HLB quarantine area for packing or processing without a mitigation, such as a pre-harvest treatment or field cleaning. One mitigation was previously required.

    Listed below are some examples of potential bulk citrus movement that is now allowed without mitigation, per the CPDPD’s Citrus Grower/Grove Manager Information page:

    • Tulare County to HLB quarantine zone in Riverside County
    • Imperial County to HLB quarantine zone in Ventura County
    • Kern County to HLB quarantine zone in San Diego County

    Please note, safeguarding all fruit in transit is still required for all bulk citrus ACP/HLB quarantine movements, and all other quarantine requirements, such as those for invasive fruit fly quarantines, still apply. Trucks must be fully tarped or the vehicle must be fully enclosed.

    In the instance that HLB is detected in new areas, this regulatory update may be revisited and revised by CPDPD.

    For complete information regarding the mitigations required for fruit movement, please visit the CPDPD’s Citrus Grower/Grove Manager Information page.

    For questions regarding citrus fruit movement requirements, please contact your local County Agricultural Commissioner or contact Keith Okasaki at Keith.Okasaki@cdfa.ca.govor 916-274-6300.

  • Citrus Greening (HLB) Impacting Brazilian Citrus Crop – Annual Report

    The Brazilian orange crop for Marketing Year (MY) 2023/24 is forecast at 408 million 40.8-kg boxes (MBx) – standard reference, equivalent to 16.5 million metric tons (MMT), a decrease of 1.03 percent compared to the estimate of current crop MY 2022/23 (around 412.3 million boxes or 16.67 MMT), due to the incidence of greening, which has been affecting Brazil’s citrus belt. Meanwhile, the average fruit weight is expected to be 158 grams for MY 2023/24, as a result of unfavorable climate and diseases, with expectations of lower production and fruit quality. FCOJ 65 Brix equivalent production for MY 2023/24 is forecast at 1.05 MMT, a decrease of 1.64 percent vis-à-vis the estimate for MY 2022/23 (1.12 MMT), due to downward expected availability of fruit for processing provoked by extremely high temperatures and the greening incidence. A significant share will keep supplying the U.S. market due to limited juice availability from Florida provoked by hurricane Ian.

    FRESH ORANGES

    PS&D Table

    The following table provides total Brazilian fresh orange production, supply, and distribution (PS&D) for Brazilian (BR) marketing years (MY, July-June) 2022/23, 2023/24, and 2024/25. The MY mentioned above are equivalent to U.S. MY 2021/22, 2022/23, and 2023/24, respectively.

    Table 1

    Production, Supply and Distribution for Brazilian Fresh Oranges

    Note: There is a one-year lag between the BR MY and the U.S. MY. For example, BR MY 2023/24 is equivalent to U.S. MY 2022/23. To ensure data continuity, the current Brazilian MY 2023/24 will be referred to as U.S. MY 2022/23 throughout this report.

    General

    Post forecasts the total Brazilian orange crop for MY 2023/24 (July/June) at 408 million 40.8-kg boxes (MBx) – standard reference, equivalent to 16.5 million metric tons (MMT), a decrease of 1.03 percent compared to current Post estimate for MY 2022/23 (412.3 million boxes or 16.67 MMT), due to greening incidence.

    The commercial area of the state of São Paulo and the western part of Minas Gerais (known as “Triângulo Mineiro”) should produce 307 million 40.8-Kg boxes (12.52 MMT) for MY 2022/2023, a projection based on the most recent data released by the Defense Fund for Citriculture (Fundecitrus) in December 2023. Considering the total citrus belt estimated production, approximately 27.60 million boxes should be harvested in the Triângulo Mineiro region, as reported by Fundecitrus, and 280 million boxes in São Paulo.

    Around 30 percent of Brazil’s orange production is destined to the market and 70 percent is used for juice processing. The main orange varieties that Brazil produces are Hamlim, Westin, Rubi, Valencia Americana, Seleta, Pineapple, BRS Alvorada, Pera Rio – pear orange, Valencia, “Folha Murcha” Valencia, and Natal. The citriculture chain in Brazil is highly industrialized.

    Figure 1

    Orange Production History in the Brazilian Citrus Belt

    The graph above (Figure 1) shows the orange crop production history in the Brazilian citrus belt, reflecting significant oscillations over the course of twenty-four years, ranging from 450 million 40.8Kb boxes in BR MY 1999/00 to 250 million BR MY 2010/11. During its big harvests, the Brazilian citrus belt produced an average of 400 million boxes, particularly in BR MY 2011/12, 2012/13, 2017/18, 2019/20. However, in the past four market years, the average has fallen around 100 million to an average of 300 million.

    According to Post contacts, the current average of orange boxes produced in the Brazilian citrus belt reaches 915 boxes per hectare, even though some larger citrus growers produce 2,000 boxes per hectare due to the following reasons: 1- adapted varieties (more productive plants) and a mix of varieties (early oranges are very productive, compared to the others, mid-season and late); 2- densification of orchards (in the 1980s there were around 250 trees/ha. now there are about 700 trees/ha); 3- pruning and management techniques for better productivity and more day-to-day management. Today, 70 percent less pesticides are used in each pesticide application.

    Data from Fundecitrus shows an estimate to the weight of oranges at 160 grams (255 fruits per box) upon the current harvest, representing an increase of 3.77 percent in relation to the average weight recorded in the previous crop MY 2021/22, and a 1.23 percent growth in average weight when compared to the last ten crops.

    Production

    According to data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics – IBGE in November 2023 citrus is produced in Brazil on 584,443 hectares. The citrus belt accounts for approximately 83 percent of the cultivated area in Brazil. Taking into account the estimated 307 million of boxes produced in the Brazilian citrus belt in MY 2022/23, post contacts inform that 300 million are produced in São Paulo and Minas Gerais regions, of which 50 million are in natura and 250 million are used for processing. According to Fundecitrus, the second half of 2023 has observed Minas Gerais producing more than Florida. Approximately 27.02 million boxes are expected to be produced in the Triângulo Mineiro region for MY 2022/23, against 16 million boxes in Florida.

    In Brazil, citrus growers plant and sell according to market demand, many of them through juice industry contracts. The citrus belt, however, also has the highest incidence of plants with symptoms of the main citrus disease, greening (or Huanglongbing – HLB). According to data published by Fundecitrus in 2023, 38 percent of the plants in the citrus belt have symptoms of the disease.

    Rainfall was frequent and voluminous from January to April 2023 throughout the São Paulo citrus belt, making MY 2022/23 orange crop produce fruit with good size development. Moreover, the decrease in the estimated production of pear orange in the citrus belt is being offset by an increase in the production of early varieties. Recent data from Fundecitrus reports that oranges of the early varieties benefited from the abundant rainfall in the beginning of 2023, which resulted in an estimate of 2.27 million boxes. The other varieties (Pera Rio, Valencia, Valencia Folha Murcha and Natal) have an estimate down by 4.39 million boxes, due to the size of the fruit, smaller than expected.

    Throughout 2023, temperatures reached astonishing numbers, ranging from 95°F to 104°F. The process known as “evapotranspiration”, by which the land transfers water and plants transfer transpiration to the atmosphere, is higher as the heatwave increases. With the arrival of the dry season from May 2023 to August 2023, rain became scarce in the citrus belt region in São Paulo, falling 26 percent below the average, causing the trees to suffer from drought stress.

    According to the Brazilian Economic Research Center (CEPEA), throughout 2023, many oranges were withered and sunburned, varieties that consumers do not usually buy. To avoid those fruit conditions and premature fruit fall, many producers anticipated the harvest of late varieties, mainly Valencia and Natal. Abundant rain in October 2023 relieved drought stress, but the availability of oranges on the fresh market remained restricted.

    A heatwave that hit the state of São Paulo in November 2023 caused partial fruit abortion, which is when the fruit falls off before the final filling stage. This happens so that the tree does not die. At high temperatures, the fruit’s stomata close – the structure that ensure gas exchange -, automatically reducing photosynthesis and negatively impacting the production.

    In irrigated areas damages tend to be mitigated, since orange flowers are more advanced. These areas are in the north of São Paulo state, where temperatures are usually higher. Irrigation facilitates planting, since the regular rainfall cannot always be proper for crops, and it can reduce the risk of high temperatures. According to Fundecitrus, the practice of irrigation is considered a complementary strategy. There are around 36 percent of irrigated hectares in the citrus belt and 63 percent of non- irrigated hectares, or hectares without information on irrigation.

    Fundecitrus emphasized in its most recent orange crop forecast from December 2023 that the citrus belt harvest reached 82 percent of production in the middle of November 2023, 26 percent faster compared to previous years. To produce oranges all year round, nine months of harvest are needed, which runs from May to February.

    With El Niño in Brazil, heat waves started in June 2023. High temperatures and rain shortage in the Brazilian citrus belt is expected to continue to be a cause of concern for the next harvest (MY 2023/24), according to Post contacts. According to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), along with its National Weather Service and funded U.S. institutions, an El Niño forecast from November 2023 has a 62 percent probability of continuing until April or June 2024.

    Figure 2

    Maximum Daily Temperate in Brazil, Dec 4-10, 2023

    A compilation of surveys by Brazilian institutions, including the Brazilian National Institute of Meteorology, released in November 2023 a newsletter on El Niño. The climate forecast for December 2023/January-February 2024 indicates a greater likelihood of temperatures above the normal range in most of the country, including the citrus belt area.

    The Brazilian map in Figure 2 on the left highlights the current behavior of high temperatures in Brazil (Dec 4-10), showing evidence that El Niño may worsen the temperature oscillations in most of Brazil. In the citrus belt area, red color shades on the map indicate temperature ranging from 86°F to 104°F.

    Area

    Post forecasts the area planted for oranges at 590,000 ha for MY 2023/24, 10,000 ha downward compared to Post current estimate for MY 2022/23 (600,000 ha), due to densely cultivated plants.

    São Paulo is the only state that compiles trees planted and tree inventory data. According to Crop Forecast Survey data from Fundecitrus (PES in Portuguese) from May 2023, bearing trees total 169.29 million and cover an area of 399,415 hectares in the citrus belt. This represents an increase of 0.41 percent in the number of trees over the previous, released in 2022.

    Even though the whole country produces oranges, the Brazilian map in Figure 3 bellow shows the main citrus-growing regions in Brazil, according to data from IBGE (2022). It denotes the states of Bahia (3.39 percent); Paraná (3.88 percent) and Rio Grande do Sul (2.11 percent) as the main orange production states outside of the Brazilian citrus belt (76.94 percent in São Paulo and 6.44 percent in Minas Gerais).

    Figure 3

    Main Citrus-Growing Regions in Brazil

    Data on the map in Figure 4 below covers the area of land planted with orange trees in each of the twelve regions that make up the five sectors of the citrus belt: North, Northwest, Central, South and Southwest. Variation in area is indicated by colors. The darkest color, for example, in navy blue, denotes regions where there are the most land in used for orange tree planting, including, among other municipalities, Avaré, with 58,824 ha and Duartina, with 60,446 ha. Meanwhile, there are 12,169 ha in Altinópolis and 11,570 in Brotas, highlighted in the map by the lightest shade of orange.

    Figure 4

    Brazilian Citrus Belt per Region

    Currently in Brazil there are a total of 5,134 orange grove properties, most of them large producers with high productivity. In addition to pests, high production costs and an insufficient labor force has driven many small producers away from the industry. As reported by Post contacts, it costs around BRL 40 million to invest in a citrus farm.

    The current scenario makes it increasingly likely that citrus farming, especially on small and medium farms, will be converted to other crops, such as sugar cane in the São Paulo region or livestock farming. The main reason is because the production of sugar cane in São Paulo is less risky than that of oranges. Moreover, there are already mills in the São Paulo region, making it easier to switch the production to a new commodity. Thus, prices of other crops may define the fate of the Brazilian citrus industry in the coming months. Fundecitrus highlights, however, that the production of oranges requires a smaller area for production, compared with other crops. Orange production compared with sugarcane, for example, has an area 14 times smaller and a profitability of around 2.5 times higher.

    In the long term, Post contacts report that the trend of the orange industry expanding outside the São Paulo and Minas Gerais area is likely to continue. In the state of Bahia, for example, the greening disease does not exist, due to the climate and the distance from the main region of the citrus belt.

    The next couple of years will be crucial to determine which new areas Embrapa considers to be promising for citrus planting in the so-called expanded citrus belt. Besides taking climate risk into account, agricultural planning for planting and producing citrus in new areas must include the use of healthy seedlings produced in a protected environment.

    Recent studies conducted by Fundecitrus and Embrapa funded by Innocent Drinks, a British-based company that produces smoothies and juice, have found that the entire citrus belt holds a stock of approximately 36 million tons of carbon, equivalent to 133.4 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2). This is the same emitted by the city of São Paulo in around eight years. The absorption of the gas can contribute to reducing the impacts of global warming, according to Embrapa, since the agricultural land functions simultaneously as the source and the drain for carbon, while stabilizing and securing fauna in the citrus farming areas.

    Tree Inventory and Yields

    For MY 2023/24, Post forecasts 1.80 boxes/tree, a decrease of 1.1 percent from the estimate for MY 2022/23 (1.82 boxes/tree) due to the potential negative impacts of greening and El Niño. Total Brazilian tree inventory for MY 2023/24 is forecast by Post at 240 million trees and estimated at 240.5 million trees for MY 2022/23. The decrease is mainly expected in the São Paulo commercial citrus belt.

    The graph from Figure 5 below shows the current yield estimate from Fundecitrus for MY 2022/23, with a total of 1.83 boxes/tree embracing all five regions of the citrus belt. The north stands out as the most productive region, with 2.26 boxes/tree estimated.

    Figure 5

    Yield Estimate in the Brazilian Citrus Belt

    Post forecasts the average fruit weight in the Brazilian citrus belt for MY 2023/24 to be 158 grams, as a result of unfavorable climate and disease impact, with expectations of lower production and fruit quality. Moreover, Post forecasts 258 fruits to fill a 40.8-Kg/90-pound box. Considering all orange varieties, Fundecitrus reports that it is estimated 255 fruits to make up a 40.8-kg box for MY 2022/23 in the citrus belt. For that amount, oranges weight is estimated at 160 grams, in contrast to the previous projection of 165 grams…

    Read the full USDA Foreign Ag Service report HERE.