IPCs Provide Citrus Trees a ‘Fighting Chance’

Citrus Research and Development Foundation President Morgan McKenna Porter said individual protective covers (IPCs) give newly planted trees a “fighting chance” against huanglongbing (HLB) and serve as a bridge until HLB-resistant trees are available.

“IPCs are not flawless, but they certainly can be optimized,” Porter said. “I have the ability to plant a young tree and put an IPC over that tree. When the tree gets too big for that bag and I remove it, the tree has already gone its first couple of years without being infected with HLB. It’s going to grow more vigorously under that bag. I’ve given it a head start in life and a fighting chance against HLB.”

IPCs are mesh bags designed to protect trees from the Asian citrus psyllid, the insect vector of HLB. They allow trees to establish without the threat of HLB infection.

“When I take that bag off, the size of the trunk is pretty close to what it needs to be to receive its first direct systemic application. Now, I’ve got a tree that wants to have a future. It’ll probably get infected with HLB, but I’m managing that inoculum better than I’ve been able to manage it in years past,” Porter said.

The final solution will be the development of the “tree of the future.” That tree does not even have to be completely resistant to HLB. As long as the tree tolerates the disease, it would provide long-term hope for an industry looking to thrive instead of survive.

The road to get there, however, remains a challenge.

“Before we had some of these tools that we currently have, farming Florida citrus was beginning to feel a little like a hope and a dream that you’re super passionate about. With some of these tools, I think it’s going back closer to an educated risk, an informed risk,” Porter said. “It’s not an easily paved road. It feels like most of our roads these days: dirt roads in a dry season and you’re bumping down the road chattering all of your teeth out. That road will get you there. You’ve just got to go slow, one yard at a time. But that dry dusty road will get you there.”