Laser Technology May Be a Key to Rehabilitating Greening-Diseased Citrus Trees

A University of Florida scientist hopes to improve on laser technology to enhance the efficiency of spray solutions aimed at restoring vitality to greening-affected citrus trees and reducing amounts of chemicals applied.

With the updated technology, a laser shoots infra-red energy pulses at citrus tree leaves, said Ed Etxeberria, a professor of horticultural sciences at the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

The UF/IFAS researcher came up with the idea for the updated laser technology after much research showed bactericides needed to be absorbed faster to fight diseases in citrus trees. Research got going when Luis Ponce, a visiting scientist and colleague of Etxeberria’s, came to his lab and built a new laser machine with increased flexibility and maneuverability. That replaced the laser machine Etxeberria had previously worked with.

The results are a more efficient application with substantially reduced chemical use, Etxeberria said.

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https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/2018/10/30/laser-technology-may-be-a-key-to-rehabilitating-greening-diseased-citrus-trees/