Oxytetracycline Adoption and Outcomes Survey - Growers’ Costs and Yields
Posted August 2025
Researchers: Tara Wade, Kelvin Amon, Ozgur Batuman, Yiannis Ampatzidis, Ute Albrecht, Fernando Alferez, Nabil Killiny, Amit Levy, Veronica Ancona
Contact: Tara Wade, UF/IFAS SWFREC tara.wade@ufl.edu
Summary:
Trunk injection is an alternative method for systemically delivering pesticides in woody crops. Compared to foliar sprays, it offers greater precision, improved safety, and reduced environmental impact. In Florida, trunk injection of oxytetracycline (OTC) is believed to be widely adopted by citrus growers as a strategy to manage huanglongbing (HLB). In 2024, 2 years after EPA approval of OTC for trunk injection, we conducted a statewide online survey to assess adoption, grower experiences, and perceived outcomes of this practice. The survey collected data on application costs, yield impacts, tree health, cultural practices, and farm demographics. We obtained usable responses from 80 citrus growers representing over 27,800 acres across 21 counties. Among these, 78.8% reported using OTC on 94.3% of their citrus acreage, while another 13.8% planned to use it on an additional 1.3% of acreage. Usage varied from 20% to 100% of planted acres, with 82.5% of respondents applying OTC to more than half their acreage, including 28.6% who applied it to all planted acres. Excluding outliers, growers reported an average OTC application cost of $1.32 per tree, with 76% citing costs between $1.00 and $1.50 per tree. Most respondents (84.5%) reported increased yield (boxes per acre), with 48% noting gains of 10% to 20%. In addition, 55% reported a 15% to 25% increase in pounds solids, and 50% reported a 5% to 15% increase in °Brix ratio. Fruit drop reductions were observed by 87.5% of growers, with 60.7% reporting decreases of 20% to 30%.
Take Home Message:
- On average, OTC costs $1.32/tree.
- Most growers reported increased yields, increased °Brix ratio, and increased pounds solids due to OTC use.
- Most growers reduced fruit drop due to OTC use.
