Nutrient Status and Root Density of Huanglongbing-Affected Trees: Consequences of Irrigation Water Bicarbonate and Soil pH Mitigation with Acidification.

The Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus bacterium, associated with Huanglongbing (HLB) disease of citrus trees, moves downward in the phloem and infects the roots soon after transmission by the Asian Citrus Psyllid (Diaphorina citri) vector into shoots. Before canopy symptoms appear, 30–50% of the roots are damaged. Without aggressive management to reduce abiotic and biotic stress, root loss increases to 70–80%. An extensive survey of HLB-affected groves in central and south-central Florida indicated that a greater decline in fibrous root health as well as a greater expression of HLB symptoms is observed where irrigation water is high in bicarbonates (>100 mg L−1) and soil pH is >6.5. Over three seasons of survey, acidification of irrigation water in the central and south-central citrus growing regions of Florida reduced the decline in root density associated with HLB. Irrigation water treatment with sulfuric acid and soil amendment with elemental sulfur for 36 months to establish a soil pH range from 4.0 to 7.0 increased root growth, soil nutrient availability, and the uptake of Ca, Mg, Mn, and Zn in response to a gradual reduction in soil pH in young and mature Valencia orange groves on Swingle citrumelo rootstock. The reduction in soil pH increased yield and soluble solids in fruit and so would improve citrus production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]