canker

Canker Treatment Uses Less Water and Copper

Dan Citrus, Huanglongbing (HLB)/Citrus Greening

canker
Severe citrus canker infection in Brazil

An important bacterial disease that affects citrus trees and causes lesions, the citrus canker has been effectively controlled by spraying copper. However, standard management techniques involve spraying excessive amounts of copper and water without consideration for the size of the trees.

“This technique resulted in a waste of resources as well as higher costs, detrimental environmental impact, and risk for development of copper-resistant strains,” explained plant pathologist Franklin Behlau, who recently published an article discussing a more sustainable approach to managing citrus canker.

Behlau, a researcher at Fundecitrus, and his colleagues showed that it is possible to control citrus canker by spraying much less water and copper. “By adjusting both copper and …..

Learn more about Canker Treatment Uses Less Water and Copper on the Citrus Industry website.