Huanglongbing (HLB) has already taken a heavy toll on U.S. citrus production, but growers in Texas’ Lower Rio Grande Valley face an additional and compounding challenge — a persistent drought.
Current irrigation practices relying on the Rio Grande River as the sole source of water are no longer sufficient to meet the year-round water needs of citrus trees. That is especially true during peak fruit growth from April through September. For Texas growers, water availability during this period can mean the difference between premium-quality fruit and significant economic losses.
Drought also worsens the damage caused by HLB. When trees are water-stressed, HLB damage intensifies, leading to smaller fruit sizes and increased pre-harvest fruit drop.
Research at the Texas A&M University-Kingsville Citrus Center points to a promising solution — improved grove floor management. An article by researchers Aditi Satpute and Mamoudou Sétamou at the center reports that strengthening soil health supports tree growth and significantly improves how citrus groves cope with water stress. The article (“Managing Soil Health: A Practical Solution for Mitigating Drought Stress”) is in the first edition of Texas A&M University-Kingsville Citrus Center’s Citrisphere newsletter. The article states that soil-based strategies could be a game-changer in the fight against both drought and HLB.
The article includes tools growers can use now to address the dual threat of HLB and water stress in citrus. Those tools and their benefits are:
SOIL AMENDMENTS
- Compost and biochar increase organic matter and reduce salt stress
- Improve soil moisture-holding capacity
- Help keep water available in the root zone longer
GROUNDCOVER
- Reduces evaporation and conserves water
- Protects soil surface from heat and degradation
- Supports better root growth and tree productivity
- Improves water-use efficiency
- Prevents weed growth and reduces herbicide use
- Protects against root weevil infestation and damage
The full article provides much more information about dealing with the dual threat of HLB and drought.
Source: Texas A&M University Kingsville Citrus Center
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