A Threshold-Based Decision-Support System for Fungicide Applications Provides Cost-Effective Control of Citrus Postbloom Fruit Drop

Author(s)

Gama, Andre B. ^{[1, 2]} ; Silva Junior, Geraldo Jose ^[3] ; Peres, Natalia A. ^[3] ; Molina, Juan Edwards ^{[1, 4]} ; de Lima, Lilian M. ^[5] ; Amorim, Lilian ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Plant Pathol, Escola Super Agr Luiz de Queiroz, Piracicaba, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Florida, Gulf Coast Res & Educ Ctr, Wimauma, FL 33598 - USA

^[3] Fundo Defesa Citricultura, Res & Dev, Araraquara, SP - Brazil

^[4] Inst Nacl Tecnol Agr, Balcarce - Argentina

^[5] Univ Sao Paulo, Escola Super Agr Luiz de Queiroz, Econ, Piracicaba, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PLANT DISEASE; v. 103, n. 9, p. 2433-2442, SEP 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Postbloom fruit drop (PFD) of citrus, caused by Colletotrichum acutatum sensu lato and C. gloeosporioides sensu lato, is an important disease in the humid tropics of the American continent. PFD mainly affects flowers, on which typical symptoms are characterized by orange-brown lesions with presence of acervuli. The disease has a sporadic occurrence, but preventative fungicide sprays are applied every season. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a fungicide spray strategy for PFD based on a predictive model of C. acutatum conidium germination linked to weather conditions. Fungicide sprays were performed when the model predicted pre-established thresholds of 10, 15, 20, and 25% of germinated spores (T10, T15, T20, and T25, respectively). Five experiments were conducted in two different seasons in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. PFD control efficacy of the threshold-based treatments was compared with a nontreated control and to a calendar-based spray system. Additionally, an economic analysis was performed to assess the gross income revenues of the fungicide spraying strategies. Disease control in plots treated at T10, T15, and T20 was as effective as the calendar-based strategy. The number of fungicide applications was reduced by 33 to 71% when sprays were applied at T15 and T20, and gross income increased or was comparable to that of the other treatments. Therefore, using a conidium germination model with a threshold of 15 or 20% is recommended as a spraying strategy for PFD management in Brazil. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/19933-0 - Development and establishment of an on-line forecast system for citrus postbloom fruit drop epidemics
• Grantee: Lilian Amorim
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 15/06007-2 - Postbloom fruit drop: definition of the action threshold for chemical control and identification of fungicide resistant strains
• Grantee: André Bueno Gama
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master