Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) Director Michael Rogers previews the Nov. 16 Open House/Field Day at the CREC in Lake Alfred. The CREC is part of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS).
The program will begin at 9 a.m. “It starts off with a panel discussion, talking about strategies to improve overall health of citrus trees,” Rogers says. Growers can ask questions and engage in an open conversation with a panel of scientists. Topics of discussion will include the use of gibberellic acid.
At 10 a.m., growers and others can visit several outdoor exhibits as well as an indoor display of citrus fruit developed by CREC plant breeders. Additional indoor exhibits will open at 10:30 a.m. A total of 21 CREC faculty will have booths either indoors or outdoors. “These are opportunities for growers to hear more about some of the research that’s going on,” Rogers says.
The exhibits will include some hands-on activities. “These are things that growers can take back home and employ in their own fields,” says Rogers. Interactive discussions will include:
- How to assess root health
- Cell phone apps for disease diagnosis
- Recent pest problems in Florida
- Root weevils and nematodes
A free barbecue lunch at noon will be followed by field tours of a Jackson grapefruit trial, the CREC packinghouse and a field demonstration block. The field demonstration block will include the use of individual protective covers, kaolin clay, reflective mulch and nutrition and irrigation “in one big package,” Rogers says.
The event is slated to end at 2 p.m.
Rogers encourages growers and citrus industry members to register online.
This interview with Rogers is part of the October episode of the All In For Citrus podcast, a joint project of UF/IFAS and AgNet Media. Listen to the full podcast here.
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