The current dry period in the Southeast can negatively impact the region’s citrus groves. Trees in the cold-hardy citrus region of North Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama need water, especially ahead of the next harvest season. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, discussed why water is so important this time of year.
“Water needs are definitely critical right now. For the people that have fruit on the tree, this would be early in the fruit set and fruit growth process, and water is going to be very critical for that, as well as just for the general health of the tree,” Sutton said.
Though rainfall has been mostly non-existent since early April, citrus producers have access to irrigation to supply their water needs. They just need to be actively using it.
“Most folks I know have micro-sprinkler irrigation. They should already have irrigation in place. I know most people use it on an as-needed basis, not on a specific schedule. Now is definitely the as-needed time,” Sutton advised.
The lack of rainfall in recent weeks led to drought conditions worsening across the Southeast, according to the May 1 update from the U.S. Drought Monitor. Nearly all of Florida is experiencing some level of drought conditions. The Panhandle and Northeast Florida are abnormally dry, while moderate and severe drought cover most of the rest of the state.
Most of the counties in South Georgia and East Georgia are abnormally dry, though moderate drought conditions are seen in some areas. According to the University of Georgia Weather Network, Tifton, Georgia, has received only 0.86 inches of rainfall since April 8, and here has only been 0.01 inches recorded in Moultrie, Georgia, during that same time frame.
Most of Alabama has sufficient moisture, though the southeast corner of the state is abnormally dry.
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