Many things are improving in Florida citrus groves, and Tripti Vashisth gives most of the credit to constant and balanced fertilization. Vashisth is an assistant professor at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred.
“You can see that tree health seems to be improving; growth is improving,” Vashisth said. “The trees used to be very thin around the state, and now you can see some of the trees are bouncing back.”
Vashisth noted that fruit production is also improving. The latest orange crop forecasts are up, and production is improving in fertilizer trials that she is conducting. “Constant and balanced fertilizer is helping the trees,” she declared. She added that Valencia quality and size also are improving in Florida.
Asked how growers are accomplishing these improvements, Vashisth reiterated, “It’s the constant supply of nutrients … It’s the constant supply and a balanced supply.” She emphasized that trees need all nutrients “all year round. So you have to focus on intensive management.”
Vashisth said two growers featured in videos at a December 2018 Citrus Nutrition Day also said that “improving the organic matter in the soil is helping.”
Vashisth discussed nutrition and improved citrus conditions in an interview in the latest episode of the All In For Citrus podcast. Listen to the full podcast here.
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