Investigations into the major causal agent of rindspot on lemons

• Published in: New Zealand plant protection 2006-08, Vol.59, p.34-41
• Main Authors: Jamieson, L.E., Harty, A., Zivkovic-Brady, D., Fullerton, R.A., Ramankutty, P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1175-9003; 1179-352X
• DOI: 10.30843/nzpp.2006.59.4511

Rindspot has been an increasing problem for producers of lemons over the last 35 years The damage is a form of oleocellosis caused by peel oil released after the rupture of an oil gland In severe cases up to 60 of the crop can have rindspot To identify the primary cause of the problem lemons with rindspot were analysed for evidence of insects or pathogens Fungi associated with rindspot were those that are common inhabitants of the skin and leaves of citrus and were not considered to be causing rindspot A high proportion of affected lemons collected in March had remnants of Lepidopteran larvae associated with the spots Lemons bagged with citrus flower moth (Prays nephelomima) had significantly more rindspots than lemons bagged with no insects other insects or unbagged lemons Trees sprayed with insecticides had fewer lemons with rindspots and fewer citrus flower moths infesting flowers