Read a Q&A with Tom Johnson, owner of TJ BioTech, on whether citrus recovery is occurring or not.
We have been sharing the Q&A Series with Tom Johnson, the owner of TJ BioTech, the manufacturer of OTC injections, that have been appearing as Citrus Industry articles. The latest question and answer article looks at questions on whether citrus recovery is occurring or not due to OTC injections; Johnson maintains that citrus roots must first recover before production gains will be see. See the details below.
Q&A on Citrus Recovery
Question: “There have been some mixed results from OTC injections depending on geography within Florida. Is the citrus industry in Florida experiencing a recovery from the effects of HLB or not?”
Answer by Tom Johnson: “Since the release of ReMedium TI® in January of 2023, the breakthrough of a novel formulation of OTC has allowed millions of trees across Florida to be injected with OTC. The main cause of production decline from HLB is the decline and loss of root structure in the grove. According to University of Florida Professor Emeritus Jim Graham, the decline in production from HLB did not occur first. The decline in roots was happening underground, and the decline in production above ground came later.
So, the recovery is happening, but it has to occur in the root structure below ground first. The production recovery above ground is soon to follow. Again, according to Graham, the root recovery is underway, but the recent hurricanes have reduced root recovery in some areas that were hardest hit by the storms. However, root mass did not decline from hurricane damage as it did before OTC injections.
Recovery is occurring across the state, and the production gains that we all want are happening now in the areas of least hurricane impact. Don’t give up. The best is yet to come.
ReMedium TI® is performing very well, but please take care to protect your formulated ReMedium TI® from damage from ultraviolet light and heat to the best of your ability. Mobility is the key to the best outcome from an OTC injection. Breakdown damage not only reduces the amount of active ingredient in the solution, but it also reduces the mobility of the formulation.
ReMedium TI® has the initial purity, and FLexInject® injection devices offer the best protection from UV and heat. Both are important to the final outcome.
We are making progress.”
Griffin Fertilizer is committed to helping both growers and ranchers make sound agronomic and economic decisions in order to maximize the health of their grove and pasture. As a full-service custom dry & liquid fertilizer blender and crop protection product distributor, we will continue our mission to further advance Florida agriculture. For questions -or concerns about your farm or pasture, contact us and one of our team will be in touch.
