Grower Meeting Features Trunk-Injection Results and Hurricane Relief

Florida Citrus Mutual hosted a grower informational meeting on Nov. 13 at Kenny and Cookie Sanders’ Grove House in Zolfo Springs. About 80 citrus growers gathered for the event to hear more about the latest research on trunk-injection therapy and discuss recovery efforts after Hurricane Milton.

Ute Albrecht, associate professor of plant physiology with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, spoke to the group about several trials she has been conducting to evaluate trunk-injection of oxytetracycline (OTC) to improve the health of HLB-infected trees. Her four trials are in different geographic areas across the state.

She shared some key take-home messages observed across all the trials. At all four locations, the injection of OTC improved the yield and Brix of trees over the control where no OTC was applied. The higher rate of OTC produced larger effects in terms of yield and quality increases. And in trials where applications had been made over two years (2023 and 2024), the benefits of OTC were cumulative.

For example, a trial on the east coast of Florida on Valencia/sour orange trees planted in 2013, the higher rate of OTC (1.1 gram) applied in 2023 produced a yield of 29.6 pounds per tree compared to 17.6 pounds per tree in the control. In 2024, the higher dose of OTC performed even better, yielding 69.3 pounds per tree compared to 31.3 pounds in the control.

In the same trial in 2023, the high rate of OTC produced a Brix of 10.5 compared to 9.1 in the control. In 2024, the high rate of OTC produced a Brix of 11.3 compared to 9.7 in the control.

Albrecht also noted that the trials indicated better performance when injections are made on both sides of the tree. The material is better distributed in the tree, lessening “sectoring” of the HLB reduction in trees while also decreasing the occurrence of phytotoxicity.

Representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) gave an update on the status of aid programs to help recovery from Hurricane Milton. One of the key messages was that growers should be in the clear now to begin surface-level debris cleanup after the storm from the perspective of USDA aid programs. Growers were advised to take a lot of photos before and after cleaning up. They are not yet cleared to dig up or burn anything. The status of relief application reviews and fund distribution to growers is yet to be determined.

Sponsored Content