Co-Investigators. Dr. Philip A. Stansly, UF/IFAS SWFREC. Mr. Matthew Adair, Fla. Research Center. Dr. Brian Bowman, UF/IFAS IRREC

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1 Metalized Reflective Mulch: More Fruit with Less Psyllids 2018 Florida Citrus Industry Annual Conference June 14, 2018 by Robert C. Adair, Jr. Executive Director Florida Research Center for Agricultural Sustainability, Inc Robert C. Adair, Jr.

2 Co-Investigators Dr. Philip A. Stansly, UF/IFAS SWFREC Dr. Scott Croxton, UF/IFAS SWFREC Mr. Matthew Adair, Fla. Research Center Dr. Mark Ritenour, UF/IFAS IRREC Dr. Brian Bowman, UF/IFAS IRREC Dr. Ozgur Batuman, UF/IFAS SWFREC Dr. Johnny Ferrarezi, UF/IFAS IRREC

3 Plasticulture in horticulture Plastic is derived from the Greek PLASTIKOS meaning to mold or shape a soft substance. The idea of using polyethylene film as mulch in plant production saw its beginnings in the mid-1950s as mulch in vegetable production. Today 2,500 sq. miles of agricultural land utilize polyethylene mulch and row covers for crop production in the world.

4 What is MRM MRM is an acronym for Metalized Reflective Mulch. The MRM used in this trial is called Shine N' Ripe XL and is made by Imaflex. It is a heavy duty 3 mil Totally Impermeable Film (TIF) coated with a high reflective layer of aluminum that reflects >90% of solar radiation for >3 years. It is being used in other crops like almonds, peaches, strawberry, pepper, tomato, olives, raspberries and blueberries.

5 Project Goals-- To Determine the Benefits of Compost and MRM On Newly Planted Grapefruit Trees to: Decrease the bearing age of citrus trees in new plantings Increase Crop Yields Reduce the incidence of HLB Deter Asian Citrus Psyllids Improve Fruit Size and Juice Quality Increase Profitability

6 Layout, Treatments & Caretaking 7½ 50 wide Double Beds (Indian River Cty.) Planted March 17, 2014 Ray Ruby Red Grapefruit on Sour Orange Rootstock Planting Density 145 trees/acre (12 x 25 ) 3 Treatments (Bare Ground, Compost & Metalized Reflective Mulch (MRM) 5 replicates of 100 trees for each of the 3 treatments = 1,500 trees All treatments received identical horticultural caretaking i.e. sprays, fertilization, irrigation, and pesticide applications All applications were made according to IFAS recommendations.

7 Layout: 15 ½-bed plots each with 100 trees The 3 treatments were replicated 5 times in a Completely Randomized Design Treatments: Bare Ground Compost (UPD) Metallized Reflective Mulch (MRM) One ½-bed plot of 100 trees Rep. # 5C Rep. # 5M Rep. # 4M 51 Rep. # 4B 51 Rep. # 4C 51 Rep. # 3M Rep. # 3B North

8 Ground Preparation is Very Important for a Successful Installation of MRM Establish Bare Ground with herbicide Extra tillage 2018 Robert C. Adair, Jr.

9 Roller was used to firm up the soil prior to laying the MRM 2018 Robert C. Adair, Jr.

10 MRM * Installation Under the supervision of Dr. Scott Croxton Kennco Bedding Machine Ruskin, Fla. *Shine N Ripe XL is a product of Imaflex Inc., CANADA 6 ft. wide x 1,000 ft. long rolls.

11 Proper Installation requires smooth flat beds 4 ft. wide P. D

12 Irrigation Installation Each tree was equipped with two Bowsmith 2GPH Drippers Part no. SB20

13 110 days post planting 07/05/ days post planting 10/15/ days post planting 06/12/ days post planting 11/11/ Robert C. Adair, Jr.

14 Increase in Trunk Caliper from 5/8/14 to 10/20/14 (165 days) 45 Caliper Diameter in mm ± S.E % > Bare Ground 57.6 % > Bare Ground 5 0 Bare Ground Compost MRM Treatment 2018 Robert C. Adair, Jr.

15 Tree Size at 2½ Years Bare Ground MRM

16 Growth Increase by Canopy Volume Canopy Volume (m 3 ) Oct July (19 months) (28 months) Robert C. Adair, Jr. Bare Ground Compost MRM Treatment

17 ACP Counts on Grapefruit Weeks 71 to 116 Weeks 122 to 147 Average ACP per Week ± S.E Bare Ground Compost MRM Adults Nymphs 0.0 Adults Nymphs Eggs

18 Fruit Size & Yield were determined with IRREC s Portable Optical Fruit Sizing Machine under the able operation and guidance by Dr. Kayla Thomason, IRREC). Data collected from each tree (80/treatment) included the total number of fruit per tree, their individual weights and diameters. The diameter data were used to develop a fruit size distribution curve for each tree which then was used to calculate yield as boxes/tree. Fruit diameters were converted to State standard sizes for grapefruit. Courtesy Dr. Johnny Ferrarezi, IRREC 2018 Robert C. Adair, Jr.

19 1 st and 2 nd Crop Yields for the Three Treatments 1.60 Yield in Boxes/Tree Boxes/Tree st Crop 2.5 yr. 2nd Crop 3.5 yr Bare Ground Compost MRM Based on 80 trees individually picked (reps)/treatment

20 1 st and 2 nd Crop Yields for the Three Treatments Yield at 2.5 Years (12/14/2016) Bare Ground Boxes/Tree ±S.E ±0.04 a % Increase in Yield over Bare Ground Compost 0.83 ±0.09 a 34% MRM 1.18 ±0.16 b 90% Yield at 3.5 Years (12/01/2017) Bare Ground Boxes/Tree ±S.E ±0.04 a % Increase in Yield over Bare Ground Compost 0.54 ±0.06 a 5% MRM 1.40 ±0.16 b 172% No. of observations per treatment = 80 single trees Means with the same letter within the same column are not significantly different (P < 0.05) based on SAS GLM Procedure Robert C. Adair, Jr.

21 Fruit Size Frequency for 3 Treatments at 3.75 yrs. old (2 nd Crop) Percent Fruit Size Frequency 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% Again note lower % of smaller fruit Bare Ground Compost MRM Again note higher % of larger fruit 5% 0% < >27 Commercial Fruit Size 11/30/ Robert C. Adair, Jr.

22 Bare Ground Costs Land Preparation for Bare Ground Grove Practice Equipment Cost/Acre Materials Cost/Acre Mow $ Herbicide $ $ ' Disk $ Tilage with Rotovator $ Install poly tubing & emitters $ $ Tree $1.40 ea. $ $ $ Total Cost per acre $ MRM Installation Costs Land Preparation and MRM Istallation Grove Practice Equipment Cost/Acre Materials Cost/Acre Mow $ st Herbicide $ $ Burn $ st Disk 12' $ nd Herbicide $ $ nd Disk 12' $ Tilage with Rotovator $ Roll flat with roller $ MRM Installation* $ Shine N' Ripe XL $ Install poly tubing & emitters $ $ Tree $1.40 ea. $ Additional planting $0.80 e $ $ $ Total Cost per acre $ 1, Additional Cost for MRM $ Compost Application Costs Land Preparation and Compost Application Grove Practice Equipment Cost/Acre Materials Cost/Acre Mow $ Herbicide $ $ ' Disk $ Tilage with Rotovator $ Apply Compost (3.75 tons/acre) $ $ Install poly tubing & emitters $ $ Tree $1.40 ea. $ $ $ Total Cost per acre $ Additional Cost for Compost $ Amortized Costs of MRM Cost per year with 3 yr. life span $ Cost per year with 4 yr. life span $ Based on 145 trees/acre 12 x 25 planting density 2018 Robert C. Adair, Jr.

23 Cost of Production, Revenue and Return For Each Treatment Crop Return at 2.5 years 2016 Crop (12/14/2016) Price/Field Box Back to the Tree (56% Packout) Boxes/ Tree 145 trees/acre Revenue Per Acre Production Cost/Acre Net Return Per Acre Application or Installation Costs Net Return/Acre Minus Installation Costs Bare Ground $ $ 1,149 $ 1,899 $ (750) N/A $ (750) Compost $ $ 1,538 $ 1,899 $ (361) $ * $ (474) MRM $ $ 2,187 $ 1,899 $ 287 $ $ 111 Crop Return at 3.5 years 2017 Crop (12/01/2017 Price/Field Box Back to the Tree (70% Packout) Boxes/ Tree 145 trees/acre Revenue Per Acre Production Cost/Acre Net Return Per Acre Application or Installation Costs Net Return/Acre Minus Installation Costs Bare Ground $ $ 1,128 $ 2,333 $ (1,206) N/A $ (1,206) Compost $ $ 1,186 $ 2,333 $ (1,147) $ * $ (1,260) MRM $ $ 3,065 $ 2,333 $ 732 $ $ 555 *Compost applied annually MRM Installation Amortized 4 Years The cultural cost of growing fresh grapefruit in the Indian River during 2016/17 without tree replacement was $2, per acre. Ariel Singerman, University of Florida, IFAS, CREC, Lake Alfred, FL 2018 Robert C. Adair, Jr.

24 While the growth rate afforded by MRM is dramatic, the trees begin to shade out the 6 ft. MRM We should consider 8 ft. MRM for less ACP & Diaprepes and HLB & P/D Complex 2018 Robert C. Adair, Jr. Trees at 2½ years old 11/11/2015

25 Use wider widths for longer benefits

26 Benefits of Metalized Reflective Mulch Deters populations of Asian Citrus Psyllids Reduces HLB incidence and severity Increase tree growth and yield Together with drip irrigation provides more efficient use of water, fertilizer, and herbicide Reduces in abiotic stress to rhizosphere Protects roots from herbicides Shields root system from Diaprepes

27 New Findings and Topics for Further Research Average No. of Insects/Tree/Week Average no. of ACP and Diaprepes per Tree (±S.E.) Based on Weekly Scouting From 7/27/15 to 12/28/15 Bare Ground Compost MRM 2018 Robert C. Adair, Jr ACP Adults ACP Nymphs Diaprepes

28 Severe Symptoms of Phytophthora/Diaprepes Complex Are Common in Bare Ground and Compost Treatments But are Symptom Free in the MRM Treatment MRM Treatment Compost Treatment

29 Hurricane Tested by Mathew ( ) & Irma ( ) MRM at 4¼ yrs. old

30 Felda, FL 2013 Fort Pierce, FL 2015 after 3 yrs Fort Pierce, FL new 2015 Venus FL, planted 2015

31 Large scale plantings are in place Imagery Date: Sherwood Grove, St. Lucie County Premier Citrus Management (PCM) Photo Credit: H. L. Chamberlain International Farming Corp (IFC)

32 Sherwood Grove, St. Lucie County Premier Citrus Management (PCM) Photo Credit: H.L. Chamberlain, International Farming Corp (IFC)

33 Acknowledgements Commercial Product Delivery Committee IMAFLEX INC.

34 For more information, please visit our website: Robert C. Adair, Jr.