The UF/IFAS, CREC Citrus Undercover Production System (CUPS) screen house / IPM facility https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvVyzeqqIek May 13, 2015 • Targeting high-value fresh fruit varieties Two main Integrated Pest Management (IPM) • Fruit varieties with high quality & yield CUPS research funded by: FDACS Specialty Crop approaches for managing HLB: • ACP exclusion with anti-insect screen houses Block Grant, Citrus Research and Education Foundation, and UF/IFAS Citrus Initiative • CLas elimination with thermotherapy Murcott/Kuharske trees in CUPS screen house: 7 months after planting Planting density: 4x8’ = 1361 trees/acre; 10-gallon pots with Can. peat + perlite Comprehensive hydroponics nutrition, drip fertigation 50-mesh screen house: 1.3 acres, with 14-foot roof height Alternative fruit crops: Carica papaya, 6 months after planting Whole-Tree Thermotherapy (WTT): 108oF, 48 hour duration • elimination of CLas bacteria • reversal of HLB symptoms • after >12 months, they remain PCR negative • feasible ‘cure’ because the root system is also treated Whole-Tree Thermotherapy (WTT): 108oF with steam, 48 hour duration 09/27/14; treatment ended 03/17/15: about 6 months later The WTT method is based on: Hoffman et al., 2013. Heat Treatment Eliminates ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ from Infected Citrus Trees Under Controlled Conditions. The American Phytopathological Society 103(1):15-22 05/11/15: about 8 months later Why do we grow citrus trees in containers? • Pots restrict the root system, and therefore dwarf the trees for use in high density plantings & limited-height screen houses • The captive root system allows Whole-Tree Thermotherapy (WTT) – essential for HLB reversal when trees are grown outdoors, without screen houses • More efficient water, fertilizer and soil-drenched pesticide utilization is possible STD smooth pots cause root circling No root circling in ‘root routing’ pots Source: “Root growth and development of containerized citrus trees in HLB-free environment using different container sizes and designs. Marcos Antonio Frateschi de Lima, Soil and Water Science MS Thesis, 2014, University of Florida. Contacts: [email protected], [email protected]