Phytophthora root rot can cause citrus leaf yellowing and decrease yield potential.

Citrus growers know scouting is essential to improving grove health. The first step, however, is finding time to scout – and that can be tricky. That’s where the Citrus Scouting Internship Program from Syngenta comes in. The program brings top-notch students in agricultural programs to FL groves to analyze soil and fruit samples and share findings with growers. The information these interns supply helps growers stay up-to-date on disease pressure in their groves and its impact on yield potential.

Interns are responsible for pulling soil samples from groves across the state and delivering them for testing at the Syngenta Vero Beach Research Center. The lab runs tests to calculate root mass, identify Phytopthora root rot and test for resistance.

Phytophthora root rot is a soilborne pathogen that degrades root systems of citrus trees, threatening tree health. Phytophthora gummosis, an above-ground manifestation of disease, results in an oozing sap that causes bark to crack and eventually fall off the tree, which creates entry points for pathogens. Leaves will often yellow and fall off the tree. Phytophthora also adversely impacts fruit size and quality. By the time symptoms appear, it is often too late for preventative treatment, making soil samples and root testing a vital aspect of grove health.

When scouting confirms that Phytophthora is at treatable levels, a fungicide treatment may be needed. Orondis® fungicide is a powerful treatment against root rot in citrus, using active ingredient oxathiapiprolin to protect developing root systems from infection. With a unique mode of action, Orondis significantly reduces the number of viable Phytophthora propagules and inoculum in soil to prevent further infection and damage. Treatment can protect root mass, improve root health, facilitate better nutrient and water use and, most importantly, increase yield potential.

Orondis controls Phytophthora and protects citrus roots to improve tree health and increase yield opportunity.

To learn more about how Orondis can protect your citrus groves from Phytophthora, contact your local Syngenta retailer or sales representative.

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