California Fruit and Vegetable

Category: Pest/Disease Management

  • The 2026 Blueberry Convention Is in Your Backyard

    The 2026 Blueberry Convention, Sept. 22-25, is taking place right in your backyard in Monterey!

    Since it’s so close to home, this is an excellent (and convenient) opportunity to connect in-person with industry colleagues, gain valuable insights during education sessions and keynotes, and help shape the future of our industry.

    Here’s what you can look forward to:

    • Get the latest category data and economic outlooks to guide your operations.
    • See the latest tech and ag solutions on Blueberry Lane and Blueberry Row.
    • Find out how our Blueberries GO BIG campaign is driving demand.
    • Learn about our health research focus on cognitive health.
    • Experience the excitement of the Blueberry Boost Accelerator live pitch competition.
    • Attend Blueberry Night at a California gem – the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
    • Join the USHBC Council and NABC Board meetings on Wednesday.

    Get a glimpse into the experience here: youtube.com/watch?v=iH988J9kvss&t=2s

    Then check out the full schedule to plan your experience (like adding the Blueberry Data & Intelligence Summit), then sign up to join us!

    [REGISTER NOW]

    More Ways to Stay in Monterey

    The 2026 Blueberry Convention will take place at the Hyatt Regency Monterey. While the deadline for our group rate has passed, you can contact the Hyatt Regency Monterey directly to check availability and pricing. Be sure to mention the NABC Convention!

    With strong interest in this year’s convention, we’ve expanded our housing options throughout Monterey. See the full list on the “Travel Information” tab on our Blueberry Convention webpage.

  • Huanglongbing Quarantine Boundary Expands in Riverside, SD Counties

    Effective September 11, 2026, the Department is expanding the citrus greening disease boundary in the Murrieta area of Riverside County and into San Diego County (grids 484, 499, and 510). A map of the expanded boundary can be found at https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/citrus/pests_diseases/hlb/regulation.html. 

    Also effective September 11, 2026, the Department is expanding the Asian Citrus Psyllid Bulk Citrus Regional Quarantine Zone 6 in these areas to reflect the HLB quarantine boundary expansion. A map of the expanded boundary can be found at https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/citrus/pests_diseases/acp/regulation.html.

    Regulated articles and conditions for intrastate movement under the quarantine can be found at Title 3 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR) section 3435 & 3439. Pursuant to 3 CCR § 3435 & 3439, any interested party or local entity may appeal a quarantine area designation. 

    Process to Appeal the Expanded Boundary 

    The appeal must be submitted to the Department in writing and supported by clear and convincing evidence. The appeal must be filed no later than ten (10) working days from the date of this notification. During the pending of the appeal, the designated quarantine boundary under appeal shall remain in effect. 

    Mail Appeals to: CDFA – Citrus Division 1220 N Street Sacramento, CA 95814 

    Electronic Notification of Boundary Changes 

    California Code of Regulation allows interested parties to be notified of quarantine area boundary changes, as well as the opportunity to submit quarantine boundary appeals. If interested in receiving notifications, please sign up for regulatory updates through the email notification at: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/CADFA/subscriber/new 

    For questions regarding the regulations or map, please email Raymond Niem (Raymond.Niem@cdfa.ca.gov) or call 916-274-6300. — Story contributed by the California Department of Food and Ag

  • APHIS Expands the Citrus Greening (Huanglongbing) Quarantined Area in California

    The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), in cooperation with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), is expanding the citrus greening (Huanglongbing; HLB) quarantined area in California. APHIS is adding one square mile to the Santa Paula quarantined area in Ventura County, which impacts 151.7 acres of commercial citrus. APHIS is adding 10 square miles to the quarantined area in Riverside and San Diego Counties, which impacts 121.5 acres of commercial citrus. This measure parallels the intrastate quarantine that CDFA established on July 15, 2026. APHIS is taking this action because plant tissue samples from residential properties tested positive for Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, the causal agent of HLB.

    APHIS is applying safeguarding measures outlined in 7 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 301.76 through 301.76-11 and associated Federal Orders that govern interstate movement of regulated articles from the quarantined areas. This action helps prevent HLB from spreading to areas that are not currently infested.

    For updated maps and details, visit the APHIS Citrus Greening and Asian Citrus Psyllid webpage. APHIS will also publish a notice of this change in the “Federal Register.”

    For additional information contact Abby R. Stilwell at 919-323-6296 or abby.r.stilwell@usda.gov

    — Story contributed by the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

  • APHIS Expands Sweet Orange Scab Quarantine

    Effective Aug. 19, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), in cooperation with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), expanded the area quarantined for sweet orange scab (SOS) in the Burbank, Los Angeles and Long Beach areas of Los Angeles County and the Anaheim and Garden Grove areas of Orange County. SOS is a disease caused by the fungus Elsinöe australis. APHIS is expanding the quarantined area by 110 square miles in Los Angeles County and 67 square miles in Orange County. APHIS is taking this action because of SOS detections in plant tissue samples collected from residential properties in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. There are 2.5 acres of commercial citrus impacted by the Anaheim and Garden Grove area expansion

    APHIS is applying safeguarding measures outlined in Federal Order DA-2024-34 pertaining to the interstate movement of regulated articles from the quarantined areas in California. This measure parallels the intrastate quarantine that CDFA established on June 18, 2026. This action is necessary to prevent the spread of SOS to non-infested areas of the United States

    The APHIS Sweet Orange Scab webpage has information on this disease, Federal Orders, APHIS approved packinghouse procedures, and a description of current Federal SOS quarantined areas.

    For additional information growers may contact:

    Abby R. Stilwell
    Agriculturalist
    919-323-6296
    abby.r.stilwell@usda.gov

    — Story contributed by USDA APHIS

  • Dragon Fruit Production and Farm Tour Coming to Southern California

    UC Ag and Natural Resources is hosting a Dragon Fruit Production Workshop and Farm Tour for growers in the San Diego area. The two-day event will discuss topics ranging from variety selection and field establishment to irrigation, pest management and marketing. Growers will have an opportunity to see the latest research and witness hands-on demonstrations, gain insights from local grower experiences and find out how to gain access to industry resources for this increasingly popular fruit.

    The workshop will be held Sept. 18 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the San Diego Farm Bureau in Escondido, and the farm tour will be held Sept. 19 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Farm stops and itinerary are yet to be decided. Registration comes with a $60 charge and must be completed by Sept. 11.

    WORKSHOP TOPICS

    Dragon Fruit Varieties, Establishment and Economic Considerations for Commercial Production

    The Dragon Fruit Value Chain and Market Dynamics, from Producer to Consumer

    Dragon Fruit Diseases and Cactus Virus X (CVX) Incidence and Management Strategies in Florida

    Issues and Challenges with Dragon Fruit Production in Southern California – Facilitated Discussion with Local Growers

    Dragon Fruit Sensory Evaluation and Post-Harvest Management

    Dragon Fruit Value-Added Product Development

    Weed Management Strategies for Dragon Fruit Production

    Irrigation System Design Considerations and Water Management

    Insect Pests and Management Strategies for Dragon Fruit Production

    Agritourism as a Marketing Tool for Dragon Fruit

    Lightning Presentations About UCANR & Other Support Programs

    Food Safety Technical Assistance Program

    California Agricultural Land Equity

    California Under Served Population (CUSP) Program

    Transitioning to Organic Agriculture

    Climate Smart Agriculture Program

    Mission Resource Conservation District (RCD) Programs

    FIELD DAY ACTIVITIES- (Tour stops to be determined)

    Host farm overview and Tours

    Pruning, Pollination and Trellis System demonstration

    Irrigation Systems Design and Components

    Insect and/or Weed Pest Identification Clinic

    Backpack Sprayer Calibration Clinic

    Value-added Product Development demonstration

    Pitahaya and Value-added product tasting

    — Story contributed by UC Ag and Natural Resources

  • Citrus Yellow Vein Clearing Virus Quarantine Boundary Expanded

    Effective Aug. 14, the CDFA is expanding the citrus yellow vein clearing virus (CYVCV quarantine) in the Lodi area of San Joaquin County (grids 180 and 191). A map of the expanded boundary can be found at https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/citrus/pests_diseases/cyvcv/regulation.html.

    Regulated articles and conditions for intrastate movement under the quarantine can be found at Title 3 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR) section 3447. Pursuant to 3 CCR § 3447, any interested party or local entity may appeal a quarantine area designation.

    Process to Appeal the Expanded Boundary

    The appeal must be submitted to the Department in writing and supported by clear and convincing evidence. The appeal must be filed no later than ten (10) working days from the date of this notification. During the pending of the appeal, the designated quarantine boundary under appeal shall remain in effect.

    Mail Appeals to: CDFA – Citrus Division 1220 N Street Sacramento, CA 95814

    Electronic Notification of Boundary Changes

    California Code of Regulation allows interested parties to be notified of quarantine area boundary changes, as well as the opportunity to submit quarantine boundary appeals. If interested in receiving notifications, please sign up for regulatory updates through the email notification at: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/CADFA/subscriber/new.

    For questions regarding the regulations or map, please email Raymond Niem (Raymond.Niem@cdfa.ca.gov) or call 916-274-6300. — Story contributed by the California Department of Food and Ag

  • Project in Santa Cruz Co. Explores Alternative to Soil Fumigation

    The Santa Cruz County Agricultural Commissioner (CAC) is initiating a $175,000 pilot project funded by the California DPR to use steam as an alternative to pre-plant fumigation, advancing work to foster the availability and adoption of sustainable pest management in California.

    The pilot project, led by CAC David Sanford, resulted from conversations with community groups interested in exploring fumigant alternatives near certain sensitive, community-serving locations such as schools. As part of the pilot, several berry producers in the Pajaro Valley will test the use of steam in lieu of conventional pre-plant soil fumigation starting this summer. Research will continue into next year.

    “This pilot represents an important collaboration to meet the needs of communities and growers in California,” said DPR Director Karen Morrison. “DPR is pleased to support efforts that encourage local partnerships, drive innovations in alternatives, and advance sustainable pest management.”

    Steam treatment for pest management involves injecting high temperature steam into the soil before planting. The heat helps reduce certain soil-borne pests, plant diseases, nematodes, and weed seeds. The test fields will be selected for the pilot project based on their proximity to schools or other sensitive sites to explore this potential alternative to help reduce the use of field fumigants near communities.

    DPR recently released findings from an independent study on alternatives to pre-plant fumigants that documented that no existing alternative can currently serve as a direct substitute for chemical fumigants on a wide scale. The study identified the need for more research to understand the soil and climate conditions where alternatives can be effective.

    “This project provides an opportunity to further assess soil steaming as a potential alternative to conventional pre-plant soil fumigation,” Sanford said. “We’re pleased to support this collaborative effort by helping inform the public, facilitating community engagement, and contributing to the evaluation of a promising technology in sustainable pest management.”

    The Santa Cruz CAC and members of Safe Ag Safe Schools (SASS) brought the project to DPR for funding consideration. The CAC will collaborate with a University of California researcher, industry partners, berry growers and landowners, community members, and adjacent sensitive-site representatives on the pilot.

    “The Pajaro Valley has some of the most concentrated use of fumigants in the state, including near schools and homes,” said Kathleen Kilpatrick, SASS member and retired school nurse. “SASS members support exploring non-chemical alternatives on fields near schools. We hope these pilot projects will provide tools for pesticide reduction and expansion of organic buffers.”

    The Santa Cruz CAC will hold community outreach meetings throughout the pilot period, where people can ask questions, provide feedback, and offer input. The first community meeting will take place Aug. 18at 5:30 p.m. in the Greg Caput Community Room of the South County Government Center, 500 Westridge Dr., Watsonville. More information can be found on the Santa Cruz County Agricultural Commissioner’s website

  • Mysterious Virus Affects Melons

    ARS researchers have found a new virus playing hide and seek with the melon industry. In 2023, unusual symptoms of infection were observed in melon and watermelon plants from Arizona and California. ARS scientists in Salinas sampled infected plants and used gene sequencing technology to identify the culprit as watermelon chlorotic stunt virus (WmCSV).

    This virus is transmitted by whiteflies and can cause significant yield loss — particularly in watermelon —but it also infects all types of cucurbit (melon, pumpkin, squash and cucumber) crops. WmCSV joins an existing virus complex causing yield impacts for production of melon and watermelon in the southwestern United States. This is the first time WmCSV has been identified in cucurbit plants in the Western Hemisphere. As a result, the cucurbit industry was notified of the threat posed by this virus, and they are taking efforts to keep it from being transported to other regions of the United States. — Story contributed by the USDA Ag Research Service

  • Huanglongbing Quarantine Boundary Expands in Riverside, San Diego Counties

    Effective July 29, the Department is expanding the HLB quarantine boundary in the Fallbrook and Rainbow areas of San Diego County and into Riverside County (grids 499 and 500). A map of the expanded boundary can be found at https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/citrus/pests_diseases/hlb/regulation.html.

    Also effective July 29, the Department is expanding the Asian Citrus Psyllid Bulk Citrus Regional Quarantine Zone 6 in the both areas to reflect the HLB quarantine boundary expansion. A map of the expanded boundary can be found at https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/citrus/pests_diseases/acp/regulation.html.

    Regulated articles and conditions for intrastate movement under the quarantine can be found at Title 3 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR) section 3435 & 3439. Pursuant to 3 CCR § 3435 & 3439, any interested party or local entity may appeal a quarantine area designation.

    Process to Appeal the Expanded Boundary

    The appeal must be submitted to the Department in writing and supported by clear and convincing evidence. The appeal must be filed no later than ten (10) working days from the date of this notification. During the pending of the appeal, the designated quarantine boundary under appeal shall remain in effect.

    Mail Appeals to: CDFA — Citrus Division 1220 N Street Sacramento, CA 95814

    Electronic Notification of Boundary Changes

    California Code of Regulation allows interested parties to be notified of quarantine area boundary changes, as well as the opportunity to submit quarantine boundary appeals. If interested in receiving notifications, please sign up for regulatory updates through the email notification at: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/CADFA/subscriber/new

    For questions regarding the regulations or map, email Raymond Niem (Raymond.Niem@cdfa.ca.gov) or call 916.274.6300.

    — Story contributed to the California Department of Food and Agriculture

  • LGMA Webinar Highlights Science-Based Strategies for Preventing Cyclospora

    Hundreds of produce industry professionals from across the supply chain participated today in a public webinar hosted by the California and Arizona Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement (LGMA) to learn what is currently known—and what remains unknown—about Cyclospora and the steps growers, shippers and buyers can take to reduce risk.

    During the webinar, food safety expert Dr. Jennifer McEntire, founder of Food Safety Strategies and former Chief Food Safety and Regulatory Officer for the International Fresh Produce Association, emphasized three key messages:

    • Testing is not the answer. Current methods for detecting Cyclospora in fresh produce or water are technically challenging, have significant limitations and should not be relied upon as a preventive food safety strategy.
    • Focus on proven preventative practices. Buyers should verify that suppliers are fully complying with the mandatory food safety requirements of the California and Arizona Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement, the FDA Produce Safety Rule, or equivalent science-based food safety standards in their country of origin.
    • More research is needed. While significant progress has been made in understanding Cyclospora, important questions remain regarding how the parasite enters the production environment and the most effective methods for preventing contamination.

    “So much confusion and misinformation has been circulating about the current Cyclospora outbreak,” said California LGMA President and CEO Tim York, President. “Our goal was to bring together the best available science and provide the produce industry with practical, evidence-based information they can use today. Dr. McEntire is one of the nation’s leading experts on produce safety, and we wanted to make her expertise as widely available as possible.”

    York noted that a recording of the webinar is available on the California and Arizona LGMA website for anyone unable to attend the live presentation.  — Story contributed by the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement