Research Update: Citrus Under Protective Screen

Abstract

Two studies with citrus under protective screen (CUPS) were established at UF/IFAS CREC and IRREC locations in 2013/14 to demonstrate the profitable production of high quality disease-free fresh citrus in Huanglongbing (HLB) -endemic Florida. In 2017 we reported on the protective and horticulturally important characteristics of the high density polyethylene (HDPE) screen and the early, high fruit yields possible due to complete blockage of HLB transmission by complete exclusion of the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP). In this article, we discuss the impacts of and recovery from hurricane Irma (September 2017), provide an update on the 2017/18 grapefruit harvest at the CREC CUPS, and ACP, HLB, and grapefruit yield updates from the IRREC CUPS.

Keywords

• Cups