It’s no secret that Florida’s citrus industry has seen significant shrinkage since the advent of citrus greening in the state. In the December issue of Citrus Industry magazine, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) economist Ariel Singerman takes an in-depth look at the acreage attrition. He examines the figures by county over the past 20 years. His article includes information on population growth and land-use concerns.
For those growers committed to continuing to grow Florida citrus, there are tools to help them succeed. One such tool is plant growth regulators (PGRs). Research has found that certain PGRs, applied in the right amount at the proper time, can help reduce preharvest fruit drop. Brandon Page, field trials coordinator for the Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF), provides details on a CRDF project that compared 10 different PGR treatments. The comprehensive study included both Hamlins and Valencias. Find out what PGRs yielded the best results in Page’s report.
Another tool that can benefit citrus growers is IrrigMonitor, a new data visualization platform developed by UF/IFAS researchers at the Indian River Research and Education Center Smart Irrigation and Hydrology Lab. The IrrigMonitor system provides real-time insights on soil-moisture levels to help growers improve irrigation scheduling and management. Sandra Guzmán, UF/IFAS assistant professor, explains how to use IrrigMonitor in her December article.
Also in the December issue is an explanation of the Food Traceability Rule, a new federal regulation that establishes recordkeeping requirements for those who manufacture, process, pack or hold foods on the Food Traceability List. Learn more from the article by UF/IFAS authors Clara Diekman and Michelle Danyluk.
The December issue of Citrus Industry magazine is coming soon. Both print and digital issues are available. If you are not already receiving the magazine, sign up for a subscription here.
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