Read about research results that show plant nutritional fertilizer sources and certain crop protection chemicals mitigate citrus diseases.

The UF/IFAS Tip of the Week article shared the results of a six-year research project on the benefits of combining plant nutritional fertilizer sources and specific crop protection chemicals to fight citrus diseases. According to the article, “impacts of the treatments were not seen until 2.5 to 3 years into the project.” See them below.

Plant Nutritional Fertilizer Research

The article shared the following details of the researcher project:

  • “The study compared two specific fertilizer blends. The first blend was with calcium nitrate, triple superphosphate, potassium sulfate and potassium magnesium (commonly called K Mag) with a grade of 9-1-14 11Ca, 7.6S, 2Mg, 0.08Zn, 0.04Mn, 0.025B applied at 180 pounds nitrogen per acre per year. The other blend had a conventional grower program fertilizer of 16-2-16 composed of ammonium nitrate, diammonium phosphate and potassium chloride. It was also applied at 180 pounds nitrogen per acre per year.”
  • “Sulfur, manganese, boron and zinc were supplemented in four splits at equivalent rates supplied by the first program, but calcium and magnesium were omitted. In the conventional grower program, the sources of sulfur and micronutrients were manganese sulfate monohydrate, zinc sulfate monohydrate and granulated boric acid.”
  • “The fertilizers were applied in four splits of 20% in February, 20% in April, 30% in June and the remaining 30% in September annually. The treatments (Table 1) were with or without crop protection products, namely Aliette [Aluminum tris (O-ethyl phosphonate), 80% active ingredient] and Velum Prime (fluopyram, 41.5% active ingredient). The two Velum treatments were applied in April and May every year. The Aliette treatments were applied in May, June, July and August yearly.”

The article shared the results of “Researchers started observing better root growth at shallow and deep soil layers, dense canopies, good juice quality (Brix greater than 10.5) and greater fruit yields. The fruit yields started at about 290 to 300 boxes per acre in the first two to three years and increased to around 350 to 600 boxes per acre in the last three years of the project. The improved fertilization and timing along with the use of Velum and/or Aliette improved root development, maintained the tree canopy and increased fruit yield and juice quality.”

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.