Citrus Rust Mite Control, 1979

Experimental miticides were evaluated for efficacy against citrus rust mite (CRM) in randomized complete block designs. Treatments were replicated 8 times in test 1 and 6 times in test 2. An unsprayed buffer tree separated treated trees both within and between rows. Sprays were applied dilute with a handgun at 200 psi using a truck-mounted sprayer on Sep 12 (test I) and Oct 5 (test 2). Approximately 5 gals of finished spray were applied to each sample tree which equaled ca. 455 gals per acre. Twenty fruit were examined at random around the canopy of each sample tree at various time intervals before and after spraying. A 1 cm2 area was examined on each of 2 shaded sides per fruit. The combined 2 cm2 count of motile CRM was recorded as one observation. Twenty leaves of the 1979 spring-summer flush were picked at random around the perimeter of each sample tree. Motile CRM were counted within 1 cm2 area on both upper and lower basal leaf surfaces. The two counts were combined per leaf and recorded as one observation.