Florida citrus production has declined severely due to huanglongbing (HLB; “citrus greening disease”) caused by Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), a phloem-limited bacterium transmitted by the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP; Diaphorina citri Kuwayama). Kaolin particle films are a tool used to repel insect pests and improve growth. The film covers the natural color of the leaves, which attracts ACP. Kaolin, naturally white in color, has been found to reduce ACP in citrus plantings. Previous research suggests adding a red dye might lead to further ACP reductions by reducing ultraviolet and blue light that attract ACP. We implemented a field experiment to test the effects of white and red-dyed particle films on ACP pressure, CLas infection, and citrus growth over the course of a two-year field study. In this study, white and red-dyed kaolin particle films were applied in young, non-bearing ‘Hamlin’ sweet orange (Citrus x sinensis) trees. The white and red-dyed kaolin treatments reduced ACP pressure and delayed HLB infection, and the red-dyed kaolin particle film was more effective in reducing ACP and in delaying CLas infection. Trees in both the white and red kaolin treatments had greater relative growth rate of trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA) than controls. This effect was observed regardless of CLas infection. Both particle film treatments resulted in greater final TCSA. Our results suggest particle films are an effective alternative to insecticide-based management of ACP and have the added benefit of increasing citrus tree growth under HLB pressure.

由于亚洲柑橘木虱（ACP；Diaphorina citri Kuwayama）传播的韧皮部限制性细菌Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus（C Las）引起的黄龙病（HLB；“柑橘绿化病”）导致佛罗里达柑橘产量严重下降。高岭土颗粒膜是一种用于驱除害虫和促进生长的工具。薄膜覆盖了叶子的自然颜色，吸引了 ACP。高岭土天然呈白色，已被发现可降低柑橘种植中的 ACP。先前的研究表明，添加红色染料可能会通过减少吸引 ACP 的紫外线和蓝光来进一步降低 ACP。我们实施了一项现场实验来测试白色和红色颗粒膜对 ACP 压力C在为期两年的实地研究过程中，Las 感染和柑橘生长。在这项研究中，白色和红色染色的高岭土颗粒膜被应用于年轻的、不结实的“哈姆林”甜橙 ( Citrus x sinensis ) 树。白色和红色高岭土处理降低了 ACP 压力并延迟了 HLB 感染，红色高岭土颗粒膜在降低 ACP 和延迟C Las 感染方面更有效。白色和红色高岭土处理的树木的树干横截面积 (TC​​SA) 的相对增长率高于对照。无论C是多少，都观察到这种效果拉斯感染。两种颗粒膜处理都导致更大的最终 TCSA。我们的结果表明，颗粒薄膜是基于杀虫剂的 ACP 管理的有效替代方案，并且具有在 HLB 压力下增加柑橘树生长的额外好处。