Trunk injection of the oxytetracycline hydrochloride formulation ReMedium TI for HLB treatment was given final clearance Jan. 11. The product began moving into the Florida citrus industry that same day. Consequently, the product’s manufacturer and the Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) Foundation both issued reminders and recommendations about the product’s use.
Manufacturer TJ BioTech, LLC suggested the following things for growers to keep in mind:
- At this time, ReMedium TI is the only product that is properly labeled for injection into citrus trees for the purpose of HLB control.
- Be sure to follow all of the label instructions to keep the product use rates where they need to be.
- ReMedium TI formulation and use is patent-pending and the lowering and monitoring of the pH at 1.8 to 2 in the solution is very important. Monitor the pH of the solution prior to blending the product.
- FlexInject, the injection device, is also patent pending and is important in the delivery of the ReMedium TI into the tree. Allowing the tree to metabolize the product is a necessary tool for proper movement of the product inside the vascular system of the tree.
CRAFT stated it recognizes that many of its participants may choose to use ReMedium TI in the fight against HLB. In an effort to ensure that the accuracy of data collected in previously approved and contracted CRAFT projects is not compromised, participants are asked to follow these guidelines:
- If ReMedium TI is applied to a CRAFT project, it should be applied uniformly to the entirety of the CRAFT project.
- Should a grower choose not to apply the product to the entire CRAFT project, call CRAFT Program Manager Tamara Wood at 863-698-9276 to ensure that the intended application does not compromise the integrity of the existing project comparison. A member of CRAFT’s Technical Working Group will work with growers to ensure they are able to apply the product as needed while protecting the value of the data collected through CRAFT.
- All applications should be reported through the CRAFT data portal. Staff is currently working with partners at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service to add survey entries for the application of ReMedium TI and other similar products.
Contact Wood with any questions regarding this process or anything else related to CRAFT.
Learn more about ReMedium TI.
Source: Florida Citrus Mutual