The California Citrus Quality Council (CCQC) is sending this message to provide recommendations for control of Septoria spot caused by Septoria citri for shipments to Korea. Additionally, an affirmation letter is attached, which requires all packinghouses shipping to Korea to follow the Korea protocol, maintain records to demonstrate compliance, and maintain a signed copy of the letter at your facility for regulatory review.
This is an advisory for all California orange packinghouses in all counties regarding the first preharvest field-application of a fungicide for all orange blocks eligible to ship to Korea in the 2021/2022 season. The first field application of zinc-copper-lime or a registered alternative is required for all oranges that will be exported to Korea. The treatment should be applied between October 15 and November 30 for all California oranges including Navels and Valencias shipped to Korea. Registered alternatives such as Quadris Top® (azoxystrobin and difenoconazole), Abound® (azoxystrobin), and other fungicides such as Priaxor (fluxapyraxad and pyraclostrobin) or Luna Sensation (fluopyram and trifloxystrobin) are also highly effective and should be applied in November. Registered alternatives could be used in rotation with zinc-copper-lime treatments if additional applications of fungicides are needed later in the season.
These fungicide applications are protective treatments for management of Septoria spot. Zinc-copper-lime or registered alternatives should be applied prior to winter rains. These treatments are much less effective if applied after precipitation and subsequent infection, and only the alternatives have sporulation control.
Timing of the second and third fungicide treatments will be based on the accumulation of temperatures below -1 degree C and subsequent accumulation of precipitation. Industry advisories will be made based on forecasted weather conditions and the risk assessment model developed by the University of California. Thus, additional applications during the winter and early spring may be needed depending on environmental conditions.
We are providing additional Septoria management options to minimize the number of copper applications and maintain eligibility of positive lots especially in the January to March period with additional rainfall and the need for a second or third protective fungicide treatment. Please see the attached document “Revised Septoria Procedures” that explains the options.
Attached for your information are voluntary Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) that have been developed by the citrus industry and the University of California to provide guidance on the Septoria program including sampling procedures for the Navel and Valencia Exports to Korea (NAVEK) program. The Revised NAVEK Program is also outlined and the guidelines for the first zinc-copper-lime or alternative fungicide treatments for shipments to Korea are included in the GAPs and they are attached. An MRL table for fungicides used on citrus in selected markets is presented in the GAPs. For the most current MRLs, consult the Global MRL database at www.globalmrl.com.
Additionally, we’ve attached the affirmation letter that is needed for Fuller rose beetle (FRB) compliance. All packinghouses shipping to Korea are required by APHIS to affirm that they are implementing the three requirements for FRB control. The signed letter should be kept on file at the packinghouse.
The NAVEK lab will begin accepting orange samples beginning Monday, October 25, 2021. Samples may be dropped off at the lab between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm Monday through Thursday. When submitting samples to the NAVEK lab, please use the electronic NAVEK Sample form which can be download from CCQC’s website. Samples should be picked the same day or one day before submitting to the lab. Results can be expected 7 days after submission of the sample.
Please contact Jim Cranney by telephone at (530) 885-1894 or via e-mail at jcranney@ccqc.org if you have questions or need additional information.
