Explore the research that shows combining supplemental nutrients with other practices can combat citrus greening.
The research is in, and it shows that combining supplemental nutrients with other “proven horticultural practices” like frequent irrigation and plant growth regulators can help fight citrus greening, according to a UF/IFAS Tip of the Week article. See the details below.
The Research on Supplemental Nutrients and More
According to the article, field trials were started in 2021 on mature Valencia citrus trees testing frequent irrigation (FI). The trees were watered daily in three 20-minute intervals, versus the control trees getting water every other day. The researchers observed improved root function and nutrient uptake.
Then, in 2024, researchers added foliar plant growth regulators (PGRs) and supplemental nutrients to the trials. The article shared that “The results showed that frequent irrigation, combined with PGRs and supplemental nutrients (FI + PNB), led to significant improvements in fruit size, yield and fruit drop reduction.”
Research takeaways included:
- “Trees treated with this combination exhibited larger fruit (62.21 millimeters compared to 58.55 millimeters in controls.”
- Treated trees showed “lower fruit drop percentages (29.74% in the FI + PNB treatment, compared to higher drop rates in other treatments).”
- “The highest canopy volume (24.55 m³) was observed in the FI treatment.”
- “Yield was higher in both the FI (47.5 pounds) and FI + PNB (47.15 pounds) treatments compared to the control (18.3 pounds).”
- “The FI + PNB treatment achieved the highest yield efficiency compared to the control.”
- “The addition of nutrients along with PGRs contributed to improved fruit quality.”
The article summarized that “Overall, combining frequent irrigation with PGRs and supplemental nutrients has proven to significantly enhance fruit size, yield, quality and yield efficiency while reducing fruit drop in HLB-affected trees.”
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