Pest Management and Yield Enhancement Qualities of Particle Film Technologies in Citrus

Abstract

Surround WP and Snow were evaluated for their ability to manage citrus thrips populations in lemons on the Yuma Mesa, and their impact on lemon yield, fruit quality, and packout. Both Surround and Snow effectively controlled citrus thrips and prevented fruit scarring, but their ability to manage Yuma spider mite was inconclusive. Preference tests indicated that both Surround and Snow act primarily by repelling the thrips, but also induce some mortality. Surround produced higher yields than Snow at the first harvest (#8 ring), but did not differ from the commercial standard. There were no differences in yield among treatments for the strip harvest, nor were their any differences in total yield. These data suggest that Surround may have some yield or increased fruit earliness enhancement qualities and that Snow may be slightly detrimental. There were no statistical differences among any of the treatments in fruit size frequency or quality for any of the harvests, and there was no apparent benefit from applying an additional application of Surround or Snow post thrips season solely for quality, fruit size, or yield enhancement.