A 2024 survey showed that most Florida citrus growers used oxytetracycline (OTC) trunk injection on most of their acres, resulting in improved yield and reduced fruit drop. Tara Wade, associate professor at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, presented survey results at the recent Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo. OTC is used in an effort to control HLB disease.
PRODUCTS USED
Most growers (91%) choose one type of injection device. FlexInject is used by 36.8% of growers. Chemjet is used by 22.8% of growers.
Growers use the OTC brands Rectify and ReMedium at similar rates, the survey found. On average, farms that use Rectify are 219 acres larger than those that use ReMedium.
TREATMENT COST
On average, growers pay $1.32 per tree to apply OTC. Seventy-six percent of growers pay from $1.00/tree to $1.50/tree.
CROP IMPROVEMEN TS
Growers see improvements in yield and fruit drop with OTC injection. Eighty-four percent of growers see some improvement in yield, and 71% of growers see a more than 20% decrease in fruit drop.
Most growers saw increases in pound solids; 55% saw increases from 15% to 25%.
Most growers saw less than a 15% increase in Brix ratio; 74% saw a 0.1% to 15% increase.
Sixty-seven percent of growers believe that OTC benefits outweigh the costs.
TAKE-HOME MESSAGES
In summary, Wade presented the following points:
- Adoption: OTC was adopted on 94% of acres (79% of growers). On average, growers use OTC on 73% of their acres: 82% of growers use OTC on at least 50% of their planted acres, and 29% of growers use OTC on all their planted acres.
- Improved Yield: Almost 90% of growers see improved yields and decreased fruit drop.
- Improved Quality: Pound solids increased by 15% to 25% for most growers.
- Perception: 60% of growers think OTC adoption is risky.
See Wade’s PowerPoint presentation here.
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