As California citrus growers head into the fall and winter months, protecting fruit quality from changing weather conditions can play an important role in maximizing marketable yield.
AgNet West’s Nick Papagni recently visited Exeter, California, to talk with Alex Del Rio, a Pest Control Adviser with Nutrien Ag Solutions, about his experience incorporating Cultiva’s Parka® into citrus management programs.
Del Rio has worked with Parka for approximately 15 years, initially using the product in cherries to address cracking before incorporating it into other crops, including citrus. He says Parka has become an important part of his approach to protecting the fruit cuticle as weather conditions change.
Parka is designed to supplement and strengthen the natural fruit and leaf cuticle, helping protect crops from environmental stressors that can contribute to cracking, splitting and other quality issues. Cultiva says its SureSeal™ technology helps seal microfractures in the existing cuticle while forming a flexible, permeable barrier that continues to allow transpiration and gas exchange.
For citrus, Del Rio says timing and coverage are particularly important. He has incorporated Parka with his fungicide program on roughly 30-day intervals during periods when rain and changing weather patterns can put additional pressure on fruit. He also emphasizes taking the time to achieve thorough spray coverage.
The ultimate goal is fruit that stays on the tree and maintains its quality through harvest. Del Rio says he has seen improved rind integrity, fruit retention and packout in his programs using Parka — factors that can ultimately have a significant impact on a grower’s bottom line.