Study Points to Importance of Magnesium in Fertilization of HLB-affected Citrus Trees

Jan 17, 2022

By Mike Loizzo

UF/IFAS researchers are trying to extend the life of citrus trees infected with Huanglongbing (HLB), a bacterial disease. New research shows magnesium may play an important role in boosting the productivity of HLB orange trees. Specifically, the researchers looked at the concentrations of the three nutrients in tree leaves and the soil.

Over 18 months, they collected samples from a grove of Valencia orange trees at the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center. The test plots in the study had varying amounts of nitrogen. Furthermore, they subdivided those and applied different amounts of calcium, magnesium, and a combination of calcium and magnesium.

Results

Dr. Gabriel Maltais-Landry is an assistant professor of sustainable nutrient management systems in the UF/IFAS soil and water sciences department (SWS). He said the different nitrogen rates did not affect leaf nitrogen and soil extractable concentrations. Similarly, the application of calcium did not increase soil calcium extractable concentration relative to the grower standard. It did have a slight effect on leaf calcium, however.

“In contrast, magnesium was effective at increasing both leaf and soil magnesium concentrations,” he said. “Overall, our results suggest a greater impact of magnesium fertilization on soil and nutrient concentrations than nitrogen or calcium fertilization.”

Dr. Davie Kadyampakeni is an assistant professor of citrus water and nutrient management at the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center and co-author of the research article. He said future studies with a larger sample size and longer duration could help determine the strength of these interactions and their long-term implications. Additionally, measuring nutrient losses through leaching in the future would provide a more thorough understanding of the fate of these nutrient inputs.

“Overall, this study provides insights on the bene?ts of a balanced nutrition approach to ensure the optimal growth of HLB-affected citrus trees in Florida,” he added.

Source : ufl.edu

Video: Not only is corn getting sweatier, it's getting smarter

Over the past several weeks, much of the U.S. Midwest has experienced prolonged episodes of extreme heat, a trend also observed in other major corn-producing regions of North America such as eastern South Dakota, southern Ontario, and parts of Kansas and Missouri. These high-temperature events can place significant physiological stress on maize (Zea mays L.), which is cultivated on approximately 90 million acres across the United States, with leading production in Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, and Minnesota. Like all maize, Bayer’s PRECEON™ Smart Corn System is subject to transpiration-driven water loss under high heat. However, this system incorporates agronomic traits designed to improve standability through enhanced stalk strength, thereby reducing lodging risk during stress conditions. Furthermore, the system supports precision agriculture practices by enabling more targeted fertilizer and crop protection applications. This approach not only helps to optimize input efficiency but also contributes to maintaining or increasing yield potential under variable environmental stresses such as heat waves, which are becoming more frequent in corn belt and fringe production regions.