The Effect of Citrus Rust Mite Damage on Citrus Fruit Drop123

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Transpiration rates for on-tree citrus fruit were found to be higher for fruit damaged by Phyllocoptruta oleivora (Ashmead) than for undamaged fruit. Pull-testing indicated that bonding force (force necessary to remove fruit from the tree) was negatively correlated with % surface damage by the citrus rust mite (r = −0.287***). Fruit drop rates were increased by citrus rust mite damage in 4 different tests with ‘Valencia’ and ‘Pineapple’ orange and ‘Duncan’ grapefruit. The 3 most important variables in predicting drop were temperature, time, and citrus rust mite damage. The final model for predicting % fruit drop (p) was p = 0.003911 exp (0.01327D)δ where D is % surface damage by rust mite and δ is degree-days above 10°C.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: