Griffith/Leeton citrus disease management workshops

Griffith/Leeton citrus disease management workshops

29-Feb-2016

Citrus disease management workshops will be held on Wednesday, March 9 at Leeton and Griffith.
The workshops will be held at Pacific Fresh in Leeton at 12.30PM (lunch platter provided) and at Mario’s Packhouse at Griffith at 6.30PM (BBQ).
Dr Nerida Donovan of NSW DPI will discuss disease prevention and Hamish Turner, Melpat International, will discuss best practice copper application and latest research results.
Nerida said copper sprays should be used in conjunction with other management practices to reduce disease problems in the orchard.
“Copper sprays should be applied before infection occurs as it is a protectant fungicide, which only protects where it lands,” she said.
“As the fruit and foliage grow, the new tissue is not protected, and wind and rain erode the copper over time.
“The timing of re-application depends on the diseases you want to manage, the copper formulation used and weather conditions.
“More frequent applications are needed during wet seasons, in orchards with overhead irrigation, or in higher rainfall regions.”
Hamish will discuss the difference between formulation, the most effective formulation for disease management, which formulation sticks the longest, and water rates for copper.
Citrus Australia’s David Daniels will also attend to provide an export overview.
This initiative is part of the Riverina Citrus Development Project, which is a partnership with NSW DPI, Riverina Biosecurity and Griffith and District Citrus Growers.
For further details, contact Andrew Creek on 0428 934 952.