Citrus Research Articles

Functional characterisation of WRKY transcription factor CrWRKY48 involved in regulating seed abortion of Ponkan (Citrus reticulata).

Citrus fruits are one of the most important fruits in the world, and their seedless character is favored by consumers. WRKY is a plant-specific transcription factor family involved in all aspects of plant growth and development. However, the molecular mechanism of seedless fruit formation in citrus and the role of the WRKY gene family in seed abortion are still poorly understood. In this study, we identified 47 WRKY family genes in the citrus fruit Citrus reticulata and comprehensively characterized the WRKY gene family through gene structure and evolutionary relationships. The expression patterns and protein interaction networks of the WRKY gene family were analyzed based on citrus seed abortion transcriptome data, and several WRKY genes that may be involved in the seed abortion regulation were excavated. Furthermore, CrWRKY48 was verified to regulate seed abortion positively in Arabidopsis thaliana, and the rate of seed abortion caused by overexpression of CrWRKY48 reached 45.48%. Using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling assays, DNA affinity purification sequencing and yeast-one-hybrid assays, we found that CrWRKY48 activated excessive programmed cell death by regulating the expression of programmed cell death-related genes such as SOBIR1. Our results show the potential regulation of the WRKY gene family for citrus seed abortion and provide novel insights into the role of CrWRKY48 in mediating citrus seed abortion by activating programmed cell death.

CitGATA7 interact with histone acetyltransferase CitHAG28 to promote citric acid degradation by regulating the glutamine synthetase pathway in citrus

Organic acid is a crucial indicator of fruit quality traits. Citric acid, the predominant organic acid in citrus fruit, directly influences its edible quality and economic value. While the transcriptional regulatory mechanisms of citric acid metabolism have been extensively studied, the understanding about the transcriptional and epigenetic co-regulation mechanisms is limited. This study characterized a transcription factor, CitGATA7, which directly binds to and activates the expression of genes associated with the glutamine synthetase pathway regulating citric acid degradation. These genes include the aconitase encoding gene CitACO3, the isocitrate dehydrogenase encoding gene CitIDH1, and the glutamine synthetase encoding gene CitGS1. Furthermore, CitGATA7 physically interacts with the histone acetyltransferase CitHAG28 to enhance histone 3 acetylation levels near the transcription start site of CitACO3, CitIDH1, and CitGS1, thereby increasing their transcription and promoting citric acid degradation. The findings demonstrate that the CitGATA7-CitHAG28 protein complex transcriptionally regulate the expression of the GS pathway genes, i.e., CitACO3, CitIDH1, and CitGS1, via histone acetylation, thus promoting citric acid catabolism. This study establishes a direct link between transcriptional regulation and histone acetylation regarding citric acid metabolism, providing insights for strategies to manipulate organic acid accumulation in fruit.

The Neuroprotective Role of Tangeritin

The prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases has increased with longer life expectancies, necessitating the exploration of novel neuroprotective agents. Tangeretin, a polymethoxylated flavone derived from citrus fruits, has gathered attention for its potential therapeutic effects. This review highlights the neuroprotective properties of tangeretin via its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Tangeretin demonstrates efficacy in mitigating oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and neuronal damage across various neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, cerebral ischemia, and epilepsy. It shows promise in ameliorating cognitive deficits and memory impairments associated with these diseases. Moreover, tangeretin modulates multiple signalling pathways and protects against neuronal apoptosis, underscoring its potential as a therapeutic agent.

Effects of graded levels Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (Chenpi) on growth performance, serum biochemical indices, meat quality, and caecal microbiota and metabolite in yellow-feathered broilers.

The Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (CRP), is the aged peel of Citrus fruit, which contains phenols, flavonoids, and polysaccharides. This study aims to investigate dietary CRP supplementation on the growth performance, serum biochemical indices, meat quality, intestinal morphology, microbiota, and metabolite of yellow-feathered broilers. A total of 240 yellow-feathered broilers (1.00 ± 0.22 kg, 9weeks old) were randomly allotted into 4 treatments feeding a basal diet (control), the basal diet containing antibiotics (positive control), and the control diet containing 1.5% and 3% CRP, respectively. At the end of a 56-day trial, one broiler from each replicate was selected, and samples of ileal tissue and cecal digesta were collected to analyze intestinal morphology, microbial composition, and metabolites. The results revealed that 3% CRP decreased average daily feed intake (ADFI), serum total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). The CRP supplementation could increase serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) and meat pH. Broilers fed CRP had elevated antioxidant and liquid-regulated metabolites. Together, the results suggested that incorporating a moderate level of CRP has a minor impact on growth performance and could benefit health to some extent by enhancing antioxidants, regulating serum liquid, and changing microbial composition and metabolites.

Citrus Black Spot Symptoms on Fruit Exposed to Phyllosticta citricarpa Infections at Different Developmental Stages.

Citrus black spot (CBS), caused by Phyllosticta citricarpa, is an important fungal disease of citrus. Higher CBS severity has been associated with P. citricarpa infections at the young and green stages of fruit. The length of the fruit susceptibility period may be influenced by the amount of inoculum and the climate of the citrus growing region. This study was conducted in orchards across two South African provinces to assess the intensity of CBS under two conditions: (i) unsprayed fruit of Valencia sweet orange, Nova, and Empress mandarins inoculated with P. citricarpa at 101, 103, and 105 pycnidiospores/mL at various intervals after fruit set, from October (petal fall stage) to March (for mandarins) or June (for sweet orange), and (ii) non-inoculated Valencia fruit from orchards subjected to spray programs ranging from one to nine applications between October and June. Higher CBS intensity was observed in Valencia fruit inoculated between November and January, with an average disease severity index (DSI) of 0.94, compared to a significantly lower (0.07) for fruit inoculated from February to June. Inoculations in November or December for Nova mandarins and in December for Empress with 105 pycnidiospores/mL resulted in higher CBS intensity compared to those with lower pycnidiospore concentrations. The absence of fungicide applications from October to December during the 2017-2018 season led to increased CBS intensity, with a DSI of ~0.47, a value which was not significantly different from that of non-treated control (NTC) trees. Leaving sweet orange trees unprotected from January onwards did not significantly increase the CBS intensity. These results confirm that citrus growers should focus on protecting citrus fruit, against P. citricarpa infection, in their dark green and young stages (c.15-30 mm diameter) to control CBS.

The European earwig Forficula auricularia (Dermaptera: Forficulidae) in California citrus: a sampling method, population surveys, and description of earwig movement into the tree canopy.

The European earwig F. auricularia L. is an omnivore that has only recently been identified as a direct, fruit-feeding pest of citrus. Here, we start to build the basic tools needed for integrated pest management for this species. We introduce a time-efficient sampling method based on small wooden boards placed on the ground, and we use them in a 2-yr survey of 93 commercial citrus blocks in California's San Joaquin Valley. Insecticides were not applied targeting F. auricularia in any of these citrus blocks. We find that F. auricularia populations are very low or undetectable in most blocks, with higher densities occurring only sporadically. To know when control measures should be implemented, we used video-monitoring of citrus tree trunks to characterize the timing of F. auricularia movement from their soil nests into the tree canopy. Movement of earwigs along the tree trunks was observed throughout our sampling period (22 March to 18 June), suggesting that control measures (sticky bands placed on trunks, or insecticides applied to trunks and surrounding soil surface) should be applied early, well before petal fall when fruit are susceptible to F. auricularia herbivory. Sticky barriers effectively reduced the vertical movement of 2 crawling arthropods, F. auricularia and the Fuller rose beetle Napactus godmanni, along citrus trunks. We failed to find any relationship between estimated F. auricularia densities and damage to maturing or harvested fruit. This highlights a set of important and still unresolved questions about the biology of this species, underscoring the need for additional research.

Historical Roots of Heritage Horticulture in the Southern Coastal Plain of Israel

This study reconstructs the agricultural landscape of the southern coastal plain of late Ottoman and British Mandatory Palestine (today southwestern Israel) utilizing late 19th and early 20th century cartographic materials and aerial photographs. Immense human effort and ingenuity were required to maintain sustainable agricultural on the fringes of the desert. Given today’s increasingly severe climate crisis, the lessons drawn from these historical agricultural practices have particular resonance. The agricultural land use described in this work extended into the coastal dunes of the region where the shallow water table was exploited to create complex agricultural systems that enabled the growth of citrus trees, grapes, and other crops for export and trade. Aerial photos and maps reveal the critical aspects of this region’s neglected agricultural history. The stability and resilience of these systems, some of which are still in existence 76 years or more after they were abandoned, as seen in the survey conducted for this study, point to the importance of understanding and preserving this chapter of the region’s agricultural heritage. The unique varieties of fruit trees adapted to the local climate of the western Negev still have significant economic value and are threatened with extinction from rapid urban encroachment. The remnants of this tradition serve as historical testimony of a bygone agricultural era which was replaced by mechanized monoculture. The discussion centers on the ways n which the study of heritage agriculture in rapidly changing areas can contribute to the broader field of historical geography by reconstructing landscapes that preserve the knowledge and societal patterns of behavior of past communities for future generations.

Dispersal of Colletotrichum acutatum Sensu Lato Conidia from Infected Citrus and Strawberry Under Simulated Rainfall and Different Laminar and Turbulent Wind Speeds.

Species of the Colletotrichum acutatum complex cause postbloom fruit drop of citrus and anthracnose fruit rot of strawberries. C. acutatum produces acervuli in diseased citrus flowers and strawberry fruit, surviving asymptomatically on vegetative tissues. Previous studies have suggested that dispersal mechanisms other than windblown rain may be involved in dispersal of conidia of C. acutatum sensu lato. Our hypothesis is that wind alone may play a role in dispersal, especially for inoculum surviving on vegetative tissue. Our objectives were to study the dispersal pattern of C. acutatum sensu lato from strawberry fruit and leaves, and citrus flowers and leaves by placing semi-selective media at known distances away from inoculum sources in laminar flow and turbulent wind tunnels. The number of C. acutatum sensu lato colony-forming units (CFU) on each plate was correlated to the distance from inoculum sources. Conidia were dispersed up to 15 meters in wind speeds greater than 10 meters per second but observed dispersal patterns were not described by the models we tested. A negative exponential model adequately described the dispersal gradient of inoculum downwind, particularly for the dispersal gradient in turbulent wind. Dispersal in rain splash and wind was limited to short distances. Our data describes how conidia spread from inoculum sources, and for the first time describes how dispersal of C. acutatum sensu lato secondary conidia occurs from citrus and strawberry leaves. Knowledge of the dispersal of conidia of C. acutatum sensu lato can provide valuable information on epidemic development, and thus approaches for disease management.

Conductive Open‐Cell Silicone Foam for Tunable Damping and Impact Sensing Application

AbstractNature has long served as a source of inspiration for the development of new materials, with foam‐like structures in citrus fruits such as oranges and pomelos serving as examples of efficient energy dissipation. Inspired by the internal structure of citrus fruit, soft conductive silicone foams are fabricated. The foams are made from a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) by mold casting using sugar templates. Addition of silicone oil and carbon black to the silicone allows creation of extremely soft foams that serve as resistive sensor. Completed by a pneumatic radial compression actuator (PRCA) surrounding the foams like a ring in analogy to citrus fruit peel, smart tunable dampers with sensing capabilities are demonstrated. The foams are evaluated for their electrical and mechanical properties alone as well as in conjunction with the PRCA. When pressurized, the PRCA radially compresses the smart foams, allowing to tune their stiffness and thus damping properties. Tunability of this system is evaluated by means of ball drop tests with respect to damping as well as the sensor performance regarding its sensitivity and stability. Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the behavior of conductive silicone foams and their potential as cushioning and impact sensing material.

Naringin vs. Citrus x paradisi L. Peel Extract: An In Vivo Journey into Oxidative Stress Modulation

Citrus fruits, mainly grapefruit (Citrus x Paradisi L.), are rich in bioactive compounds with potential antioxidant properties. This study investigated the antioxidant effects of naringin (NR) and ethanolic Citrus x paradisi L peel (E) in reducing aluminum chloride (AlCl3)-induced oxidative stress in mice. Quantitative analysis using HPLC identified optimal extraction conditions, combination ultrasound and reflux extraction (UH50), resulting in high concentrations of naringin (49.13 mg/g) and naringenin (63.99 µg/g). Mice were treated with NR and E to evaluate their effects on key markers of oxidative stress: reduced glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), and catalase (CAT). The E effectively reduced MDA levels in blood, brain, and liver tissues, with a more substantial effect on controlling lipid peroxidation. In contrast, NR was more effective in restoring GSH levels and CAT activity, suggesting a broader enhancement of antioxidant defense. These findings provide information about specific mechanisms of NR and E and their therapeutic potential in managing oxidative stress and developing products with synergistic efficacy.

Characterization and Identification of Neocosmospora solani and Fusarium oxysporum Causing Root Necrosis and Wilting of Orange Trees in Chile

Orange trees (Citrus × sinensis (L.) Osbeck) are the third-most cultivated citrus fruit species in Chile. In recent years, several trees in three orange orchards of ‘Lane late’ and ‘Fukumoto’ cultivars grafted on ‘Robidoux’ trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf.) have shown chlorosis, canopy reduction, wilting, root necrosis, defoliation, and plant death symptoms. This study aims to characterize the morphological symptoms observed in diseased orange trees in central Chile and identify the fungal pathogens that are involved. Isolation and morphological characterization of the pathogens were conducted by using different culture media. A total of 53 isolates were obtained, morphologically characterized and 12 isolates were selected for molecular identification. The isolates were identified using ITS, TEF-1α, and RPB2 regions. Two Fusarium species complexes were identified, Neocosmospora (Fusarium) solani (FSSC) and F. oxysporum (FOSC), based on >99% identity. Pathogenicity tests were conducted on young orange seedlings under greenhouse conditions. Results indicated that two months post inoculation, trifoliate orange seedlings displayed root rot symptoms such as necrosis, vascular discoloration, and wilting. FSSC and FOSC were re-isolated from necrotic seedling roots and identified through a combination of morphological traits and molecular techniques. This is the first detailed report of this disease, attributed to FSSC and FOSC, in orange orchards in Chile. These diagnostic results represent the first step in developing adequate phytosanitary programs for managing this disease.

Coumarins in the Flavedo of Citrus limon Varieties-Ethanol and Natural Deep Eutectic Solvent Extractions With HPLC-DAD Quantification.

Peels are an abundant but still underutilized waste product in the Citrus fruit industry. They contain coumarins with antiadipogenic potential that could be promising targets in new valorization strategies for Citrus peels. In this study, these coumarins, that is, citropten, bergamottin, and 5-geranyloxy-7-methoxycoumarin (5G7MC), were investigated in Citrus limon peels of different commercial varieties by HPLC-DAD after extraction with ethanol and choline chloride-based natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) as alternative extraction agents in green natural product extraction. Target coumarins were almost exclusively found in the flavedo (exocarp) peel layer and in whole peel samples, but not in the albedo (mesocarp) layer. Flavedo samples from varieties "Verdelli" (ES) and "Lisbon" (ZA) showed particularly high concentrations in ethanolic extracts. When applying NADES extraction, best results for citropten were achieved with malonic acid, 1,2-propanediol, and citric acid as hydrogen bond donors (HBDs), with higher yields than the reference solvent ethanol. For bergamottin and 5G7MC, promising results were obtained for 1,2-propanediol as HBD, though lower yields than with ethanol. The possible chlorination of coumarin epoxides byakangelicol and oxypeucedanin was recognized for acidic NADES in LC-MS analysis. Overall, C. limon peels proved to be a relevant starting material for valorization through coumarin extraction with ethanol and NADES.

Evaluation of repellent effects of plant‐based essential oils, red dye, and kaolin on Asian citrus psyllid

AbstractThe Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), vector of the pathogen causing Huanglongbing disease, is currently the most devastating pest of citrus. Despite intensive control efforts, the disease continues to spread. Diaphorina citri typically relies on tactile, visual, and odor cues for host selection. By combining an irritant (kaolin clay), a visual masking (red or blue dye), and true odor repellents, we aim to repel D. citri from citrus trees. In laboratory conditions, we conducted closed‐cage bioassays to compare D. citri response to the following treatment combinations: (1) kaolin + food colorants (blue or red); (2) kaolin + odor repellents (thyme, lavender, fir, and coriander oil), and (3) kaolin + red food colorant + thyme oil. The red kaolin treatment exerted a greater deterrent effect on D. citri adults than the blue and uncolored kaolin treatments. We also observed an additive effect in terms of D. citri repellency with the combination of thyme oil and kaolin and, to a lesser extent, coriander oil and kaolin. However, the combination of lavender or fir oils and kaolin did not increase repellency against ACP as compared with kaolin alone. Thyme oil + red kaolin oil combinations induced similar ACP repellency to that of thyme oil + uncolored kaolin. Finally, fecundity was significantly reduced by the kaolin‐based treatments compared to the thyme oil treatment and control plants. Our findings suggested the possible use of red kaolin or the combination of thyme and kaolin as a means of reducing D. citri infestation in citrus.

Advances in Computer Vision and Spectroscopy Techniques for Non-Destructive Quality Assessment of Citrus Fruits: A Comprehensive Review

Advances in Computer Vision and Spectroscopy Techniques for Non-Destructive Quality Assessment of Citrus Fruits: A Comprehensive Review

Impact of nitrogen fertilization and rootstock genotype on growth and fruit quality of Nules clementine

This study focuses on understanding the impact of varying nitrogen rates on the growth, fruit production, and quality of clementine Nules variety trees grafted onto Flhorag and Carrizo citrange rootstocks and cultivated at the Sidi Allal Tazi Experimental Station of INRA Morocco, in clay soil, over five seasons. A split-plot design with three blocks of repetitions (two trees per bloc per treatment, n=6) was employed in this experiment. The main plot varied the nitrogen doses, while the subplot involved the genotype of rootstock. Three fertilizer treatments with N rates (T0: control (native nutrient), T1: 270, T2: 540 in g/tree), with 135 P2O5 and 270 K2O g/tree added to citrus trees. The research indicated that both nitrogen rate and rootstock genotype significantly influenced vegetative growth, yield, and fruit quality of Nules clementine. Increased nitrogen levels enhance vegetative growth, especially in Carrizo citrange rootstock, evidenced by greater tree height, canopy diameter, and volume. Significant and positive correlation was found between canopy volume and fruit yield, across both rootstock highlighting the importance of proper nitrogen management in citrus cultivation. Carrizo citrange was proved to be a more efficient rootstock for Nules variety in contrast to tetraploid Flhorag. Higher nitrogen rates with Carrizo citrange result in better yield and fruit quality (size, juice content, and solid soluble content) than with tetraploid Flhorag. Optimal yield and fruit quality in Nules clementine are achieved using 540g of N/tree/year when grafted on Carrizo citrange. The recommended NPK rate for achieving high yield and optimal fruit quality of Nules clementine was 540 N-135 P2O5-270 K2O g/tree/year.

Diosmin as Antidiabetic Agent: A Comprehensive Mechanistic Approach

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder which occurs due to deficiency of insulin or resistance to insulin receptor. There are naturally occurring compounds found in various plants, foods, and herbs that have potent anti-diabetic properties. They help to control blood sugar levels by increasing insulin sensitivity and stimulating glucose absorption in cells. Diosmin, a flavonoid glycoside found primarily in citrus fruits, has shown outstanding potential as a therapeutic agent due to its significant anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and vascularprotective properties. Here, we review the diosmin molecular mechanism and its ability to regulate oxidative stress, reduce inflammatory cytokines, improve endothelial function, and explore its pathway for anti-diabetic properties. In addition, preclinical and clinical data that supports diosmin efficacy in decreasing blood glucose, enhancing insulin sensitivity, and delaying the development of diabetic squeal was considered. Furthermore, diosmin has shown great potential in a variety of therapeutic domains when associated with other drugs in combinational studies, and many diosmin-based drug delivery studies have been reported. This review also investigates the molecular processes and clinical uses of diosmin, emphasizing its therapeutic potential as an additional drug in diabetes control through a comprehensive review of current studies.

The invasive indo-asiatic horntail snail ARIOPHANTIDAE Tanychlamys indica (Godwin-Austen, 1883) in Santa Catarina State/ SC, Brazil: general status of its knowledge seven (7) years after the first report of their discovery in the Brazilian territory and the earth’s American ecozones

Introduction: Seven (7) full years have passed since the initial report of its occurrence in the Neotropical continental territory of Brazil (discovered/ detected its introduction on “September 16, 2017” in the geopolitical state of Santa Catarina/ SC). Tanychlamys indica (Godwin-Auster, 1833), alien indo-Asiatic pulmonate terrestrial gastropod representative of the family Ariophantidae, is confirmed for the first time in the Americas and the Caribbean basin, presumably introduced unnoticed through the international trade of citrus fruit seedlings. Objective: Updated general rеᴠiеw of the geographical occurrence situation of this introduced species in the Santa Catarina State/ SC, the Brazilian territory and the Earth’s American Ecozones. Methodology: Extensive review of general available information (field encounters, reports obtained directly from collaborators, data contained in the "Taxonomic Catalog of the Brazilian Fauna - Mollusca", journalistic informations & records on the international citizen science platform "íNaturalist") up to December 2024. Results and Conclusions: Today, the regional known of the occurrence of this alien species is restricted to Brazil, the only country in South America where its presence has been reported/ confirmed, verified in the Federal District (D.F.) and seventeen (17) of its twenty-sixth (26) geopolitical states, present in their every one six (6) terrestrial epicontinental biogeographic domains/ biomes: Amazon, Caatinga, Cerrado, Atlantic Forest, Pampa or Southern Fields & Chaco-Pantanal. Additional information available about its recent presence in the rest of the Earth's American Ecozones (Neotropical & Nearctic territories) is also presented, obtained through so-called citizen science.

Picking-Point Localization Algorithm for Citrus Fruits Based on Improved YOLOv8 Model

The citrus picking-point localization is critical for automatic citrus harvesting. Due to the complex citrus growing environment and the limitations of devices, the efficient citrus picking-point localization method becomes a hot research topic. This study designs a novel and efficient workflow for citrus picking-point localization, named as CPPL. The CPPL is achieved based on two stages, namely the detection stage and the segmentation stage. For the detection stage, we define the KD-YOLOP to accurately detect citrus fruits to quickly localize the initial picking region. The KD-YOLOP is defined based on a knowledge distillation learning and a model pruning to reduce the computational cost while having a competitive accuracy. For the segmentation stage, we define the RG-YOLO-seg to efficiently segment the citrus branches to compute the picking points. The RG-YOLO-seg is proposed by introducing the RGNet to extract efficient features and using the GSNeck to fuse multi-scale features. Therefore, by using knowledge distillation, model pruning, and a lightweight model for branch segmentation, the proposed CPPL achieves accurate real-time localization of citrus picking points. We conduct extensive experiments to evaluate our method; many results show that the proposed CPPL outperforms the current methods and achieves adequate accuracy. It provides an efficient and robust novel method for real-time citrus harvesting in practical agricultural applications.

Evaluation of hesperidin as a potential larvicide against Culex pipiens with computational prediction of its mode of action via molecular docking

Hesperidin, a natural flavanone glycoside predominantly found in citrus fruits, has gained attention for its wide-ranging biological activities, including potential insecticidal properties. Culex pipiens, commonly known as the northern house mosquito, is a major vector of several human pathogens, such as the West Nile virus and filariasis, making it a key target in the fight against vector-borne diseases. In this study, we evaluated the larvicidal activity of Hesperidin against Culex pipiens larvae, assessing its potential as an alternative to chemical insecticides. Hesperidin demonstrated potent larvicidal effects, with a lethal concentration 50 (LC50) of 570.3 ± 0.04 µg/mL, outperforming the conventional insecticide Chlorpyrifos 588.3 ± 0.28 µg/mL in efficacy. Molecular docking simulations revealed a strong binding affinity between Hesperidin and crucial neuroreceptors in Culex pipiens, particularly acetylcholinesterase (AChE), a key enzyme involved in nerve signal transmission. The interaction between Hesperidin’s hydroxyl groups and the AChE enzyme’s active site suggests that AChE inhibition is the primary mechanism driving Hesperidin’s insecticidal action. These findings position Hesperidin as a promising, environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic insecticides. However, further research is needed to assess its toxicity to non-target organisms and optimize its formulation for broader application in mosquito control.

Testing an integrated approach for managing roof rats in citrus orchards.

Roof rats (Rattus rattus) are a substantial pest throughout citrus crops, yet little is known about efficacious, cost-effective strategies to manage this rodent. Therefore, we developed two integrated pest management (IPM) programs that incorporated elevated bait stations containing diphacinone-treated oats and trapping, and we compared those programs to a bait-station only approach to determine which strategies were most practical for the management of roof rats in citrus orchards. Bait applications substantially reduced rat activity within orchards. However, our initial IPM approach that used a combination of baiting, snap trapping and Goodnature® A24 traps were not successful at keeping rats from rapidly repopulating. A second IPM strategy that relied on baiting and more extensive snap trapping was effective at reducing rat activity up to, and likely beyond, a 6-month treatment period. Although baiting by itself was less expensive than IPM plots, the difference in cost between baiting and the IPM approach that used only baiting and snap trapping should be minimal during long-term management programs. The high efficacy of a management program that incorporates an initial bait application, followed by a long-term snap-trapping program, should yield effective management of roof rats in citrus orchards. © 2025 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.