Fruit drop continues to plague Florida citrus groves. Growers and researchers are seeking ways to mitigate the problem. This was the topic of a number of presentations during the Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute held in Avon Park in April.
Michael Rogers, director of the Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred, discusses those presentations during the May All In For Citrus podcast episode. Gibberellic acid (GA) applications have been shown to help reduce fruit drop. Rogers provides details from an institute presentation on GA research given by Tripti Vashisth, associate professor of horticultural sciences and citrus Extension specialist with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS).
Rogers also discusses a presentation by Fernando Alferez, assistant professor of citrus horticulture with UF/IFAS, that shows applications of zinc and potassium can help trees retain fruit.
Lauren Diepenbrock, a UF/IFAS entomologist, presented her research on the spread of the lebbeck mealybug in Florida groves during the Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute. She shares her findings during the podcast and gives guidance on managing the pest. Growers need to be aware of this pest’s spread, especially in areas where it already has been confirmed.
Ramdas Kanissery, UF/IFAS weed scientist, also joins the podcast to talk about his research on the potential of herbicide injury and its impact on citrus tree health and fruit drop. He presented the research during the Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute. Kanissery stresses the importance of proper applications to avoid citrus tree injury.
Learn more about all these Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute presentations in the May All In For Citrus podcast. The podcast is a joint project of UF/IFAS and AgNet Media.
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