CITRUSNET - Reduction of phytosanitary products in clementines. Residue-free fruit

The proposed demonstration project involves the management of citrus orchards, specifically Nules Clementines, located on an IRTA experimental farm in Bítem (Tortosa), and a smaller plot situated at the IRTA Amposta centre. These plots will be managed using a pest control system that is respectful of the environment and human health, i.e. through pest control using organic treatments and products, plant fortifiers, and citrus oils or mineral oils, as well as the release of natural enemies of the pests as a control method.

Therefore, integrated pest management techniques will be applied, such as monitoring the various pests to determine the optimal time for intervention, biological control techniques such as the release of beneficial insects at critical times to help control the various pests under study, and biotechnical control techniques for specific pests such as the California red spider mite (Aoni) (Delottococcus aberiae) and the fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata).

This proposal is becoming increasingly difficult to implement due to current climatic conditions (climate change), as pests are becoming more aggressive, as is the case with the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae), or the case of new emerging pests or those recently introduced into the citrus agroecosystem, which previously did not pose any phytosanitary problem, such as the citrus whitefly (Dialeurodes citrí), Paraleyrodes minei, and Parabemisia myricae. It is also worth noting the recently introduced tetranychid mite in the Terres de l’Ebre, namely the Texas mite Eutetranychus banksi.

Once the behaviour of the different plantations in response to the various strategies is known, the different approaches can be compared, and the information obtained should be transferable to the production sector to assist them in correctly planning pest control on their productive plots and, consequently, in striving to achieve the 50% reduction in plant protection products proposed by the Fork Pact.

The combined use of all these techniques would make it possible to produce food – in this case, clementines – without the presence of pesticide residues at the time of harvest.

Action of the Strategic Plan of the PAC 2023-2027 co-funded by: