A UF/IFAS researcher shared the results of testing that show that Tricalcium Phosphate (TCP) could aid citrus trees in combating citrus greening.
Citrus researchers have been trying to find a cure or treatment that would aid citrus trees in coping with citrus greening. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) laboratory manager, Laura Waldo, shared the results of lab testing that showed that Tricalcium Phosphate (TCP) shows promise in helping citrus trees cope with citrus greening, according to a Citrus Industry magazine. Waldo shared the study results at a recent Florida State Horticultural Society (FSHS) meeting in Maitland. See the details below.
Details on Tricalcium Phosphate (TCP)
Tricalcium Phosphate (TCP) has shown promise as a fertilizer, according to Waldo. “The hope is that it can help a tree by inducing root hair development and thereby allowing the tree to uptake nutrients more efficiently,” Waldo she was quoted in the article as saying.
Up next is to try it outside of the lab. “The next step is to move it to the field in our sandy Florida soils and see if it performs the same (as in the lab),” Waldo shared. It’s hoped that TCP “would help trees to survive and tolerate HLB,” according to Waldo. Among other things, citrus greening affects a citrus tree’s roots, making the tree unable to adequately take up water and nutrients. It’s one reason why adequate fertilizers for citrus are so important.
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