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Hrdy Family to Fund Citrus Pest Research
Author: Hamutahl Cohen
Image: Hamutahl Cohen
ACP is an important pest of citrus. Our research aims to enhance the controls of this pest and others through large-scale data collection and analysis of PCA records.
The UC IPM pest management guidelines for citrus are a trusted cornerstone of science-based information for our local growers. A common limitation, however, is that much of the information in the guidelines are based on experiments in a single growing region, and growers need to predict how relevant the guidelines may be to Ventura County.
The goal of this project is to expand the guidelines with information more specific to each climatic region where citrus is grown (Valley/Coastal/Desert).
Another goal of this project is to address how climate change will impact citrus pests: the shift in growing conditions attributable to climate change may disrupt the IPM practices that have taken decades of research and experience to establish. Simulation models have predicted increases in citrus yield in California in response to fewer freeze events, decreased irrigation requirements, and/or higher atmospheric carbon dioxide, but have not considered changes in pest pressure.
This project aims to fill in this research gap by using a large data approach to collect PCA pest scouting data and weather records across the state. We can then develop models based on existing grower data to anticipate climate effects on pest pressure.
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