University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus researchers and Extension staff will provide multiple educational programs at the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo Aug. 16–17.
The event will be held at a new location this year — the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. Attendance is free to growers, but registration is required.
UF faculty and staff will participate on both days of the Expo, by making presentations in the educational seminar sessions and offering information at the UF/IFAS Extension booth in the exhibit hall.
SEMINAR PRESENTATIONS
UF/IFAS Interim Senior Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources and Dean of Research Rob Gilbert will share an update on how UF/IFAS is serving the citrus industry. Michael Rogers, director of the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center, will update efforts to accelerate the development of HLB-tolerant and -resistant varieties and other research projects.
Researchers will present their latest findings on individual protective covers, irrigation and nutrition, plant growth regulators and therapeutic trunk injections. Additional practices to be addressed include cover crops and soil health, weed management, integrated pest management, disease management and planting new varieties.
A new addition this year is a researcher panel, where growers may ask the scientists directly about issues they face. The intention is to provide growers with an integrated perspective on the multiple methods for dealing with HLB and other problems.
Certified Crop Adviser and Restricted-Use Pesticide continuing education units will be available for the educational sessions.
EXTENSION BOOTH
Growers can obtain updated literature and the 2023–24 Florida Citrus Production Guide at the UF/IFAS Extension booth in the exhibit hall. They can also learn about grove tools related to nutrition, irrigation, trunk injection, individual protective cover selection, new varieties and pest management solutions.
There will be demonstrations of the new lebbeck mealybug test kits and the new Canopy Assist evaluation tool. Growers may also pick up an updated Citrus Research Summary booklet that contains more than 70 summaries of projects that UF/IFAS citrus researchers are working on.
The UF/IFAS booth will be located near the breakfast and lunch serving area.
Source: UF/IFAS
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