More oak leaf extract research done by UF/IFAS shows the compound holds promise in the fight against citrus greening.
Oak leaf extract is currently undergoing research for use as a tool in the fight against citrus greening. In July, we shared a blog about the research conducted at the U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory greenhouse in Fort Pierce. Another oak leaf extract research study has also shown “there is something in the oak leaf that can work,” according to UF/IFAS researcher Lorenzo Rossi in a Citrus Industry article. Explore the details of the research below.
Oak Leaf Extract Research
Rossi presented the research’s findings at this year’s virtual Citrus Expo. Growers around the Indian River region noticed citrus growing around oak trees were doing much better than citrus trees that were not. Researchers believed “rain was releasing compounds from the oak leaves, and that the citrus trees were uptaking the compounds from their leaves and through the soil,” according to the article.
So researchers soaked oak leaves in water to create oak extract, and then applied it to citrus greening-infected trees via a soil drench. So far they have seen the trees appear healthier, have bigger roots, and greener leaves than trees used as a control. “A lot of physiological parameters were actually improved,” Rossi said in the article. Testing also showed declining bacteria levels.
Researchers don’t know what about oak leaf extract is causing the improvements, but they are continuing the oak leaf extract research and research into oak mulch.
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