The California Citrus Quality Council (CCQC) is contacting the industry to provide guidelines for respecting export regulations in China as well as Korea. This follows recently and predicted heavy rain.

The coastal regions of District 2 that include Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, San Diego as well as W. Riverside, growers are advised to submit an additional application before January. 21st 2024. In addition, farmers who are located in Fresno, Tulare, Kern, E. Riverside, Counties must submit another application for either copper or a regulated alternative before February. 22, 2024 in order to export their produce to China. This advice is based on the Phytophthora-forecasting model and the expected rainfall.

In all counties, a preharvest copper application is needed between Oct. 15 to November. 30 to be in compliance with standards of China protocol. This second step can be made using copper, mandipropamid, phosphite or oxathiapi or a premixture of mandipropamid + oxathiapiprolin, depending on the environmental conditions.

To Korea producers in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Co. that have had a heavy rain, are advised to apply an additional fungicide application before February. 4th 2024. The second application is suggested in all counties, with the exception of Imperial Co. due to the elimination of copper residues from fruits due to the rain. Another application of fungicide is recommended before February. 22nd, 2024 in all counties, with the exception of Imperial due to the potential for Septoria spot developing on the unprotected fruits with very low copper residuals.

In all areas or counties copper, or other approved pesticides may be applied to production destined to exportation to Korea. The PCAs and growers are advised to prepare for the management of Septoria spot by applying a second fungicide spray in the next three weeks because of the predicted rain.

Source: cacitrusmutual.com