Albrecht Lab

Dr. Ute Albrecht, Plant Physiologist

Leigh Archer, Graduate Research Assistant

 

The Albrecht lab has completed numerous field trials to analyze the movement of therapeutics after trunk injection, the efficacy of trunk injected therapeutics for management of HLB, and the risks associated with using trunk injection as a management technique.

 

  • We looked at the seasonal variation in uptake and wound response after injection. We measured different rates of uptake and wounding effects between the scion and rootstock and tested the efficacy of post injection wound treatments for protecting against decay.

 

  • We also looked at the tree physiological responses to injection using different injection techniques and different injected compounds by analyzing external wound effects and internal compartmentalization. We measured the differences in uptake and distribution of compounds when they are applied using different injection techniques. We also gained preliminary insight on the efficacy of trunk injection for HLB management

 

  • Additionally, we established a trial to monitor the seasonal differences in the efficacy of trunk injected compounds for HLB management. We looked at trunk injections of an insecticide and of a bactericide and measured physiological, horticultural, and entomological effects. We were also using this trial to look at the distribution and longevity of trunk injected compounds in tree tissue.

 

  • We began investigating the use of bactericide injection in mature citrus groves. We are monitoring the impact and efficacy of trunk injections of oxytetracycline and looking at the effects of injection timing on HLB management. This trial allowed us to describe the distribution and longevity of trunk injected oxytetracycline in different scion varieties.

 

Results from our research and field trials will provide critical information on the utilization of trunk injection for HLB management at the commercial level. We have determined some of the best practices for trunk injection in citrus trees and have gained significant insight on the appropriate application timing and concentration of different therapeutics for HLB management.

 

Publications (key works are available below):

 

Archer, L., J.H. Crane, U. Albrecht (2022). Trunk injection as a tool to deliver plant protection materials – an overview of basic principles and practical considerations. Horticulturae 8:552.  https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8060552

 

Archer L, Albrecht U, Crane J (2021) Trunk injection to deliver crop protection materials: an overview of basic principles and practical considerations. EDIS, https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-HS1426-2021.

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Albrecht U, Archer L (2021) Principles and risks of trunk injection for delivery of crop protection materials. Citrus Industry Magazine 102(5):14-17. https://citrusindustry.net/2021/05/17/principles-and-risks-of-trunk-injection-for-delivery-of-crop-protection-materials/

 

Albrecht U, Archer L (2021) Trunk injection in citrus – compartmentalization of wounds and the CODIT concept. 2021 ASHS Annual Conference, 5-9 Aug, Denver, CO. https://journals.ashs.org/hortsci/view/journals/hortsci/56/9S/article-pS1.xml?rskey=81dsXi (p. S82)

 

Archer L, Albrecht U, Qureshi J (2021) Efficacy and effects of trunk injection for delivering imidacloprid and oxytetracycline to HLB-affected sweet orange trees. FSHS Annual Meeting, 26-28 Sep, Daytona Beach, FL. http://fshs.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/2021-FSHS_Proceedings-4-28-final.pdf (p. 76)

 

Archer L, Albrecht U, Roberts P (2020) Antibiotics in crop production. EDIS HS1366. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdf/HS/HS136600.pdf

 

Albrecht, U (2020) Trunk injection: difficulties and considerations. 2020 Florida Citrus Grower’s Institute. https://citrusagents.ifas.ufl.edu/media/crecifasufledu/citrus-agents/growers-institutes/2020/Albrecht_ci2020.pdf  https://citrusindustry.net/2020/06/04/trunk-injection-considerations/

 

Albrecht, U (2022) All in for citrus podcast. https://citrusindustry.net/2022/02/11/trunk-injection-could-deliver-the-kill-shot-to-hlb/

 

Archer L, Albrecht U (2021) Effect of trunk-injected oxytetracycline on preharvest fruit drop and health of HLB-affected sweet orange trees. ASHS Annual Conference, 5-9 Aug, Denver, CO

 

Archer L, Bodaghi S, Albrecht U (2020) Deciphering uptake and vascular movement of solutions in grafted citrus trees. Annual Meeting of the American State Horticultural Society. August 2020. ePoster

 

Albrecht, U (2021) Trunk injection to reduce preharvest fruit drop and restore health of HLB-affected sweet orange trees. UF/IFAS Citrus Research Summaries. Citrus Expo August 18-19 2021, North Fort Myers, FL.

Documents