Production in the cold-hardy citrus region is still in its infancy. Growers and industry leaders need events like the Citrus Health Forum to obtain the necessary information to help this young industry continue to flourish. The latest forum took place at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) North Florida Research and Education Center in Quincy …
CRISPR Is Bringing Citrus Closer to HLB Resistance
You’ve probably heard the term CRISPR in recent years. It is a relatively new breakthrough in science that has applications in human health and even in the fight against HLB. Nian Wang, a professor of microbiology and cell science with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), has been on the forefront of CRISPR research. Here …
CITRUS NURSERY SOURCE: A Day of Learning About New Rootstocks and Varieties
By Peter Chaires The U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory and Florida Citrus Research Foundation (FCRF) jointly held an open house, variety display and field tour at the W.H. Whitmore Foundation Farm between Leesburg and Groveland in early December. This annual event provides a great opportunity for industry members to see the latest innovations in …
Factors Influencing Cold Hardiness of Citrus
Jake Price, University of Georgia county Extension coordinator, recently reported on the factors that influence cold hardiness of citrus. Excerpts follow: VARIETY The most obvious factor is the variety of citrus. In order of cold hardiness, the three main classes of citrus are mandarins, sweet oranges and grapefruit. Acid types of citrus such as lemons and limes are the least …
PGRs for HLB-Affected Trees: An Update
Using the plant growth regulators (PGRs) cytokinin in spring, gibberellic acid (GA) in summer and 2,4-D in late fall can be helpful for HLB-affected trees, horticulturist Tripti Vashisth reported. Her PGR update came during a Feb. 21 OJ Break. Multi-county citrus Extension agent Chris Oswalt hosted the event at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Citrus …
World Lemon/Lime Production
Global lemon/lime production in 2023–24 is forecast up 225,000 tons from the prior year to 10 million tons, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) reported. Higher production in the European Union, South Africa and Turkey more than offsets lower production in Mexico and the United States. Here are the regional lemon/lime forecasts for 2023–24: Turkey production …
Georgia Growers to Vote on Marketing Order to Fund Research
Georgia’s citrus industry started with the help of University of Georgia (UGA) Extension. Research assistance from UGA could help the industry flourish. Georgia citrus growers will have an opportunity to vote on a marketing order that will help fund potential research, explains Ken Corbett, chairman of the Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Citrus Fruits and a producer at Corbett Brothers …
Pheromone-Based Psyllid Control Not Viable
Studies with psyllid pheromones show that the insect’s behavior is altered when it is infected by the HLB-causing bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter (CLas). This makes it difficult to produce a commercial psyllid-control product based on the insect pheromone, Brazil’s Fundecitrus has concluded. “The sexual pheromone is an attractant produced by the female of the species, which promotes behavioral changes in male …
Citrus BMP Manual Being Revised
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson has tasked his staff with reviewing and revising all of the best management practices (BMP) manuals that impact Florida agricultural operations in 2024. Revision work on the citrus BMP manual was undertaken by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Office of Agricultural Water Policy in 2020. However, that work was never …
Nutrition Remains a Critical Element as New Therapies Roll Out
Growers have largely adopted new trunk-injection therapies to fight the effects of HLB in citrus groves. In addition, plant growth regulators have helped improve tree health and fruit retention. One University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) scientist reminds growers to maintain their fertilizer programs as the new therapies are deployed. Davie Kadyampakeni, UF/IFAS associate professor of …
Top Tailgater To Be Named at Florida Citrus Show
Exhibitors are gearing up to compete for the Top Tailgater title at this year’s Florida Citrus Show. The reigning champion, Southern Citrus Nurseries, took home the title and $500 cash for their vegetable spring rolls last year. This year, they’re competing to be the two-year champion with virgin bloody mary oyster shots. Who will bring home the prize this year? …
All In For Citrus Podcast, February 2024
Florida citrus growers are now well into their second application of oxytetracycline (OTC) via trunk injection to treat HLB. Per the label of both registered OTC products, after two applications, there is a one-year treatment pause. So, growers will be formulating plans on what to do during the off-season for OTC-treated trees. That was the subject of discussion during the …
Endangered Species Act To Be Addressed at Florida Citrus Show
During the Florida Citrus Show’s general session, Mike Aerts, Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association vice president, science and regulatory affairs, will address how the Endangered Species Act (ESA) is being used to challenge the registration of key crop protection materials. The ESA has already been used to knock down the use of two active ingredients specific to citrus. Currently, the …
Update on Chlorpyrifos Use
By Brett Bultemeier, Mike Aerts and Lauren Diepenbrock On Dec. 28, 2023, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit revoked a previous decision related to chlorpyrifos tolerances for food. Chlorpyrifos is a broad-spectrum insecticide used in a variety of crops, including citrus. The original decision revoked all food tolerances, whereas this new ruling essentially reinstates them. This means …
Supply Challenges and Demand Solutions
By Marisa L. Zansler The landscape of the Florida citrus industry has undergone significant transformations throughout its history. Over the past decade, it has faced substantial challenges in both supply and demand. Florida orange juice (OJ) production dropped by 85%, from 615 million gallons in the 2013–14 season to an estimated 94 million gallons in 2023–24. Even as imports increased …
Gulf Citrus Grower Panel Discusses Trunk Injection
The Gulf Citrus Growers Association recently hosted a grower panel at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Southwest Florida Research and Education Center in Immokalee to discuss experiences and results of trunk injection of oxytetracycline (OTC) to treat HLB. Participating in the panel were Ron English, Florida’s Natural Growers/Ranch 1; David Wheeler, Wheeler Farms; and …
Florida Citrus Part of USDA Plant Protection Funding
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is allocating more than $5 million to Florida for plant-health protection. The funding is part of a nationwide effort to strengthen the country’s infrastructure for pest detection, surveillance and mitigation, as well as protect the U.S. nursery system. Through the authority of the Plant Protection Act (PPA) Section 7721, USDA is providing more than …
Global Grapefruit Production to Rise
Global grapefruit production in 2023–24 is estimated up slightly from the prior year to 6.9 million tons, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) reported. A slight increase in China more than offset lower production in South Africa. World exports of grapefruit are projected to increase while fruit for processing is forecast to be lower. Here are …
Study Analyzes the Economics of Cover Crops
In the face of HLB in Florida, a recent study delved into the economic viability of incorporating cover crops in citrus groves to enhance soil health and overall tree well-being. Shourish Chakravarty and Tara Wade wrote an article, Cost Analysis of Using Cover Crops in Citrus Production, about the study. Both authors are with the University of Florida Institute of …
Oriental Fruit Fly Quarantine Conditions Modified
Conditions for the movement of fresh citrus fruit from the Redlands Oriental fruit fly (OFF) quarantine area of San Bernardino and Riverside counties in California have been temporarily modified for the duration of the 2024 harvest season. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) announced the modification on Feb. 5. Due to the imminent …