Ecological strategies for growing healthy citrus trees was the subject of a webinar on March 31, 2020. Planned as a workshop, it was moved online to avoid risk of spreading the novel coronavirus.
Citrus greening disease, Huanglongbing (HLB), Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) that is spread by an invading pest, Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), has resulted in increased use of pesticides on citrus, the eradication of natural predators and parasites and the re-appearance of pests such as citrus whitefly that have not been seen since DDT was banned. ACP is much like an aphid that can be controlled without pesticides; however, the disease referred to as HLB devastated the Florida citrus industry and threatens the same in California. The Dietrick Institute invited varied knowledge experts about interventions that build host resistance in response to the threat HLB to discuss an agroecological systems approach with the goal of continued production of marketable fruit from disease-resistant trees.
The webinar was moderated by Ron Whitehurst and Jan Dietrick with assistance by Brett Levin. Greg Stevensen donated his time to edit the recordings.
Annemiek Schilder, PhD Director, UCCE Ventura County and Hansen Agricultural Research and Extension Center
Presentation #1: Shifting the Mindset for IPM: Biology and Prevention First
Gregg Young, MA Certified Professional Agronomist, Pest Control Advisor, Certified Crop Advisor Ukiah, Mendocino County, Environmental Scientist
Presentation #2: Combating pests and disease - correlating problems with nutrient excess and deficiency
Ben Faber, PhD UCCE Farm advisor for Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties Specialty: Soils and water, avocados and minor subtropicals in Mediterranean Climates
Presentation #3: Combating pests and disease - correlating problems with nutrient excess and deficiency
David White, PhD, Cofounding Executive Director of the Center for Regenerative Agriculture and Director, Once Upon a Watershed, a program of the Ventura Land Trust
Presentation #4: Reducing disease by enhancing the soil food web
Jim Davis: Pest Control Advisor for San Diego and Riverside County, partner in Entomological Services, Inc.
Presentation #5: Biological controls for Asian citrus psyllid and other citrus pests
Michael Collins: Scientist, Permaculturist, Agronomist, Inventor, Artist Builder, Farmer, and Entrepreneur Developer of Foliar Biostimulants
Presentation #6: Foliar biostimulant sprays to build tree health quickly
Pam Marrone, PhD CEO/Founder Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc. (MBI)
Presentation #7: Microbial pesticides for Asian citrus psyllid
Ken Kupfer Owner of KM AntPro LLC, co-inventor of Ant Pro (patented and other patents pending), pest management inspector
Presentation #8: Ant management with low-risk borate based bait to protect biocontrols
Jan Dietrick, Founding Executive Director, Dietrick Institute for Applied Insect Ecology
Presentation #9: Prospects for community tipping points in multi-species cover crops in orchard systems for nutrient cycling, nitrogen fixation, drought resistance, and plant health
Co-presenters: Stephen Pavich and Dr. Srinivas Makam
Presentation #10: Foliar nutrient sprays to reverse HLB disease - results of University trials www.BioFlora.com
Recording #11: The panelists discuss Healthy Citrus Strategies and Implications for Agroecosystem Research