See the latest updates on needle-assisted trunk infusion technology aimed at delivering therapeutic liquid materials to citrus trees.
Florida citrus growers were optimistic about the use of bactericides in combating citrus greening. However, bactericides have not been as successful in the grove as they were in field trials. One thought has been that foliar applications are not effective enough at delivering therapeutic liquid materials to citrus trees’ vascular tissue. Researchers have been developing a needle-assisted trunk infusion method. Ozgur Batuman, an assistant professor of plant pathology with UF/IFAS, presented on the topic at a virtual citrus seminar in September, according to a Citrus Industry article. See the highlights on the latest developments into this technology.
Details on Needle-Assisted Trunk Infusion Technology
Batuman maintained in the presentation that offering this new mode of delivery for therapeutic liquid materials like bactericides should overcome the largest obstacle to the materials’ success. “The wax layer in the epicuticular portion of the leaf surface is not allowing most of the chemicals to be taken up by the citrus leaves and transported into the intended area,” he said in the article.
The idea is to automate the needle-assisted trunk infusion delivery using an ATV-mounted robotic arm holding a needle and administering the materials so that groves could be treated quickly with little involvement from citrus growers.
According to Batuman, the research into the technology shows that it causes no detrimental effects to the citrus trees. The new method could also be used to deliver other materials, such as prophylactic chemicals that are aimed at disease prevention.
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.