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California Citrus Research and Field Trials (CA-CRaFT) Grower Applications Now Being Accepted
VISALIA, CALIF. – August 16, 2022 – The California Citrus Research and Field Trials (CA-CRaFT) program is now accepting grower applications. The CA-CRaFT project aims to demonstrate at the commercial grower level the effectiveness of additional mitigations to control Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), the vectoring agent of Huanglongbing (HLB). All California commercial citrus producers are eligible to participate in the CA-CRaFT Project.
California citrus growers interested in testing additional psyllid control methods are encouraged to apply by October 1, 2022. Applications can be found at https://citrusresearch.org/growers-application
The CA-CRaFT program is interested in partnering with commercial citrus producers following current UC IPM guidelines for ACP control still observing psyllid incursions in their groves. Priority will be given to applicants with production in areas where psyllids are generally present, or where psyllid levels are higher due to proximity to major transportation corridors, residential interfaces, or other high-risk factors.
Site selection will depend upon mitigations selected and grove characteristics such as region, variety, grove age and ACP pressure. Grove size between 20 and 160 contiguous acres are encouraged and producers will have the opportunity to apply for multiple blocks or locations during the application process. Compensation will be provided to participating growers based on the mitigation(s) adopted.
Project support is currently being offered for the following mitigations:
- Preventative Mitigations
- Barrier mesh fencing
- Living windbreaks
- Trap crops
- Threshold-based Mitigations
- Biological control agent releases
- Pesticide treatments (border sprays, psyllid repellents, ant control)
The CRB will be hosting webinars on the CA-CRaFT program and application process on September 8 and 14, 2022. For more information about the California-focused CRaFT Project, program requirements, and webinar schedule, visit the CRB website at www.citrusresearch.org or contact Ariana Gehrig at craft@citrusresearch.org.
The CRB administers the California Citrus Research Program, the grower-funded and grower directed program established in 1968 under the California Marketing Act as the mechanism enabling the State's citrus producers to sponsor and support needed research. More information about the Citrus Research Board may be found at www.citrusresearch.org.
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