Many Florida citrus growers view new trunk-injection therapies as a lifeline to help them stay viable in the ongoing battle against HLB. After two seasons of trunk-injection applications of oxytetracycline (OTC), growers are evaluating the impacts on tree health, production and quality.
Heading into next season’s treatment cycle, now is the time to consider product options. Factoring into this decision are several elements, including tree age, product performance, uptake into the tree and impact on the trunk at the injection site.
David Gerrard, Head of Commercial North America for Invaio Sciences, encourages growers to consider the company’s Trecise™ technology for targeted delivery of OTC into trees. He says there are several benefits when compared to drilling systems including no unintended exposure, the need for less active ingredient, and a smaller injection site that makes it appealing for young trees.
“One of Invaio Sciences’ major focus areas is designing delivery methods that can apply the active ingredients in a more effective and safer way,” he says. “Our Trecise™ technology is designed to deliver OTC into the vascular system of the citrus tree where it needs to be taken up. The closed system means there is no exposure to workers or the outside environment of the groves.”
That is accomplished by the Trecise™ injection device and aluminum canisters that contain an OTC formulation with natural inert ingredients to improve uptake and distribution through the tree.
“We believe this provides a product that is easier on the trees than alternatives, especially for younger and non-bearing trees,” says Tiago de Paula Lelis, Field Scientist at Invaio.
“With our application device, we make the injection with low pressure directly into the vascular system – just like an IV drip in a hospital – rather than drilling a hole and pushing with high pressure,” de Paula Lelis says. “And the injection site is smaller than a smartphone charger tip.”
SEVERAL ADVANTAGES
The combination of Invaio Sciences’ Trecise™ system and OTC formulation adds up to a significant reduction in the amount of active ingredient being needed for treatment. Compared to the drilling method, the minimally invasive Trecise™ injection system requires three to four times less active ingredient.
“We can treat both bearing and non-bearing trees with a scion diameter as little as one inch. This is giving hope for grove reestablishment and faith in replanting,” Gerrard says. “Getting on trees early and protecting them as they grow into bearing trees is critical for maximizing the value of that planting investment.”
The smaller injection site also is capturing interest from growers who have reported damage to wood and splitting of trunks using the drilling method. Some also worry about long-term potential damage after sequential drill holes are made into trees.
EASING THE PROCESS
Gerrard says another benefit of the Trecise™ system is it takes the in-field guesswork out of mixing and preparing the product for injection when compared to other products on the market.
“We will work with growers to get an estimate of how many trees need to be treated,” he says. “Trailers are delivered to the grove with the mixing and filling machinery onboard, set up right there on the turn row. The farmer then has his own crew, or we can provide a contract crew, to fill the cans on the site. They stay on the tree for five to seven days. Typically, we see the majority of uptake occur in the first 24 to 36 hours.
“We monitor the uptake, then we have the crew remove the canisters and dispose of them. We work with the growers to help get the job done.”
FIELD TRIAL FINDINGS
While the Trecise™ system has mostly been applied to nonbearing fruit so far, Gerrard says growers with older trees should consider the system. Field trials have shown an average yield increase of 30% and a reduction of fruit drop by 19%.
With the small injection site, the product shines in protecting young trees. In a recent field trial of 200 young trees, significant new flush was observed compared to the control with an average increase of 64%. There was reduced mottle with an average decrease of 87% as well as larger trunk diameter on around 60% of trees.
“We are excited to provide Florida citrus growers with this innovative system to deliver trunk-injection therapy to HLB-infected trees,” Gerrard says. “The Trecise™ system is safer, simpler and is delivering results to keep groves protected and productive against HLB.”
Find out more at www.invaiocitrus.com