Timothy A. Ebert

0000-0001-7399-2221

Management of Citrus Tree Canopies for Fresh-Fruit Production

Andrew Krajewski, Arnold Schumann, Tim Ebert, Chris Oswalt, Rhuanito S. Ferrarezi, and Laura Waldo

A Non-Technical Introduction to Electropenetrography and Its Application with Asian Citrus Psyllid as an Example

T. A. Ebert, A. W. Schumann, and A. J. Krajewski

Protecting plants by targeting insect vectors of pathogenic organisms requires an intimate understanding of the biology of the insect, the pathogen, and the plant host at a spatial scale relevant to the insect. Observing insect feeding is difficult because insect mouthparts are small, and many insects insert their mouthparts deep inside plants, where we cannot see them. Electropenetrography (EPG) is the only technique that overcomes these problems. Using EPG, we can understand host-insect relationships, pesticide action, and the role of non-hosts. EPG can address ecological questions like "How do insects survive long migrations over regions devoid of known host plants?" It can also address applied questions: "Will the pest feed on my new cultivar?" This light introduction to an underused key technology focuses on a single example insect vector, the Asian citrus psyllid, but EPG has great potential to improve pest management efforts for many crops and insect vectors.

A Close-up Look at Screens for Excluding Asian Citrus Psyllids

Timothy A. Ebert, Arnold W. Schumann, Laura Waldo, Daniel Stanton, and Philippe Rolshausen

Building a physical barrier around citrus trees or groves can prevent contact between trees and Asian citrus psyllids, the carrier of the pathogen that causes huanglongbing. This new 4-page article is for growers, scientists, and industries that are interested in this approach to protect citrus from huanglongbing. Written by Timothy A. Ebert, Arnold W. Schumann, Laura Waldo, Daniel Stanton, and Philippe Rolshausen, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Soil and Water Sciences.

Managing Fruit Splitting in Florida Citrus

Andrew Krajewski, Timothy Ebert, Arnold Schumann, and Laura Waldo

Sometimes, the fruit on citrus trees will split open, making the fruit unmarketable; splitting can aid fungal and insect pests that subsequently damage fruit. A physiological disorder, pre-harvest fruit splitting begins with nutrient imbalances at flowering. Nutrient deficiencies weaken the rind, causing it to crack if interior parts of the fruit expand too quickly. Symptoms are only visible after it is too late to avoid the problem, but mitigation is still possible. Our goal is to define the problem and suggest management tactics for growers and Extension personnel to avoid or mitigate pre-harvest fruit splitting.