Updates on Oak Leaf Extract Research

Erika Aldrich — Wed, 10 Nov 2021 04:55:16 +0000

There are a number of different oak leaf extract research trials that are underway to test the extract’s ability to fight citrus greening.

As citrus greening swept through Florida citrus groves in the past 15 years or so, some citrus growers noticed that citrus trees under oak trees fared much better with citrus greening symptoms than citrus trees not near oak trees. Growers brought the phenomenon to the attention of researchers, and studies into oak leaf extract began. There are currently a number of studies going on to test the extract’s efficacy in helping citrus trees to combat citrus greening, according to a Citrus Industry article. Explore the details below.

Details of Oak Leaf Extract Research

According to the article, citrus growers Travis Murphy and Tom Thayer developed a “formulation based on oak leaf extract” and are leading large-scale grower trials that started in the in spring and summer of 2021. The trials include over “20 growers and thousands of trees,” according to the article.

Similarly, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) field trial began in June 2021 at the Picos Road farm site in Fort Pierce, and 122 fruit-bearing trees, including Minneolas, Hamlins, Ruby Red grapefruit, and Valencias, are part of the study.

Furthermore, UF/IFAS researchers have been conducting oak leaf extract research since 2020, even presenting on the extract during the Citrus Expo that year. The use of oak mulch in citrus groves is also being studied.

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.

Additional Oak Leaf Extract Research Shows Promise

Erika Aldrich — Tue, 08 Sep 2020 21:01:48 +0000

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.