See the results of UF/IFAS research into the use of plant defense inducers to target citrus canker in Florida citrus groves.
“Citrus canker continues to impact Florida citrus, increasing premature fruit drop and decreasing yield and fruit quality,” shared a UF/IFAS Tip of the Week article. It added that While copper sprays have long been relied upon to control this disease, concerns about environmental impact and possible resistance development have led to efforts to find sustainable alternatives.” UF/IFAS researchers are conducting studies concerning the use of plant defense inducers, in addition to copper, to combat citrus canker; see the details from the article below.
Study Details
According to the article, “A field trial was conducted on mature Hamlin trees at two commercial sites in Collier and Charlotte counties with known canker pressure. Application of Kocide 2000 at a 21-day interval was used as the standard for canker control. This was compared to reduced frequency of Kocide 2000 and the use of plant defense inducers (Actigard and a proprietary product abbreviated PDI 7), both alone and in rotation with 42-day intervals of Kocide 2000.”
Plant Defense Inducers Research Results
In the study “UF/IFAS researchers wanted to see if they [plant defense inducers] could also be used in rotation with traditional copper sprays at a reduced frequency to effectively manage citrus canker in the grove.”
Research results included:
- “In the commercial plot in Collier County, Actigard alone as a spray, and in rotation with Kocide 2000 at 42-day intervals as both a spray and a drench, reduced the incidence of fruit lesions to the same level as the standard 21-day intervals of Kocide 2000.”
- “In the Charlotte County plot, all treatments except Actigard drench reduced fruit lesion incidence to levels comparable to the standard 21-day interval of Kocide 2000.”
- “The treatments also significantly reduced the incidence of leaf lesions, but this effect was not consistently observed across plots.”
The article maintained that “these preliminary results indicate that using plant defense inducers, particularly in combination with less frequent copper applications, could be a viable way to reduce copper use while maintaining adequate citrus canker control. Future trials will aim to confirm these results and investigate how the use of plant defense inducers in combination with oxytetracycline injections could influence fruit drop and benefit yield and fruit quality.”
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