Evaluation of Trunk Injection Techniques for Systemic Delivery of Huanglongbing Therapies in Citrus

The bacterial pathogen associated with citrus huanglongbing (HLB) resides in the phloem of affected trees. widespread abundance vector Florida, Asian psyllid ( Diaphorina citri ), and location tree vascular tissue limits efficacy foliar-applied therapies. Trunk injection is a crop protection strategy that applies therapeutic compounds directly into system, enabling their systemic distribution within tree. However, limited information available on most effective methodology for implementing trunk at commercial scale extent damage inflicted by injection. In this study, 5-year-old HLB-affected ‘Midsweet’ sweet orange Citrus sinensis ) trees were injected insecticide imidacloprid, antibacterial oxytetracycline, or water. Injections occurred Jun Oct 2020 using three techniques. Trees monitored external wounding internal injection, as well health, titers, yield two production seasons. Low-pressure caused least damage; however, it was less delivering tested than medium- high-pressure Despite causing greatest site, oxytetracycline significantly improved reduced increased seasons study. Imidacloprid wound but did not result any lasting benefits to These results suggest could be an managing HLB can selecting suitable technique.