Treatment of X-disease of Peaches Using Oxytetracycline Microinjection Capsules

Abstract

Oxytetracycline microinjection was assessed in four Massachusetts peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] orchards where many trees were infected with X-disease. The injections significantly alleviated symptoms in all but the most severely diseased trees in the first year following treatment. This improvement was observed, to a lesser degree, the second season after treatment. Injection wounds did not callus and some damage to wood was observed around them, but after 2 years, there was no indication that injection wounds resulted in significant tree damage. Microinjection capsules offer an effective and more efficient injection treatment than existing methods.