Solutions based on plant extracts recover citrus orchards

For 26 years, citrus producer Alfredo José Gois Neto has made the pear orange plantation, in the municipality of Rio Real (BA), one of his main sources of income. In addition to him and his family, there are 80 other people involved in the process. With an area of ​​approximately 620 hectares dedicated to cultivation, his orchard was about to be eradicated, due to issues of falling yield.

Guided by his agronomist, Gois began applying natural solutions for physiological stimulation and hormonal balance of the plant and thus managed to extend the lifespan of his crop. “When we planted an orchard, in initial planning, we thought about renovating it in its twentieth year. At 18 years old and with low productivity, I was already thinking about eradicating this entire area. Really, we would rip everything out and start over from scratch”, says the citrus grower.

Agricultural engineer Aloísio Maciel, technical manager specializing in horticulture at Alltech Crop Science, explains that with the use of compounds based on plant extracts and other substances from fermentation processes, it is possible to physiologically balance the plant, keeping it healthy and more resistant to environmental stresses caused by biotic and abiotic factors. “By favoring development conditions, we manage to balance the plant’s hormonal balance, invigorating and activating stimuli throughout the cycle”, explains the specialist.

The producer soon noticed the changes and renewal of his cultivation. “The change of the orchard was very quick, we were able to notice a good difference in its renovation in relation to the place that was being used as a witness. We also identified a 15 to 20% increase in vigor in this area”, reports the producer.

As citrus cultivation is also sensitive to climatic conditions, this was one of the factors that had a direct impact on the production of Alfredo. According to Maciel, the region has the following characteristics of climatic conditions: summers are very dry and winters are very rainy, hence the need to make the plant stronger to help it get through these periods of stress.

Technical tip

To achieve good results in citrus cultivation, Aloísio Maciel recommends the use of two solutions developed by Alltech Crop Science. The first is Agro-Mos, a solution composed of nutrients, amino acids and polysaccharides resulting from biotic fermentation processes. It has the role of increasing the plant's natural resistance, helping it to overcome stress. The second is Crop-Set, which helps with plant metabolism, keeping the plant more active, helping to expose its full genetic potential and, thus, improving productive characters.