A recent article from Alabama A&M and Auburn universities highlighted the major issues facing citrus growers in southern Alabama’s Baldwin and Mobile counties.
FREEZES
One of the biggest obstacles that citrus growers face is highly variable weather, including late-season freezes.
Jacob Kelley, an Alabama Extension commercial horticulture agent at Auburn University, said winter temperatures that might swing from 80 to below 32 in a week cause major tree stress. “Sometimes the worse issue is early season warm-ups followed by significant temperature drops,” said Kelley.
According to Kelley, warmer temperatures cause trees to shift into a false sense of spring. Warm spells push moisture into the buds, trapping fluid in the aboveground portion of the tree. When a freeze hits, that fluid expands and splits the bark, injuring the tree. “Cold injury can kill the cells inside developing flower buds, which prevents the buds from opening and ultimately stops the tree from producing blooms,” Kelley explained.
Through careful management, growers can reduce their losses by using battle-tested techniques to protect trees from the cold.
Jay Spiers, an associate professor in the Auburn College of Agriculture’s Department of Horticulture, said greenhouses and cold frame structures are good options to protect citrus. He added that they are used for small-scale citrus production in other parts of the state.
“Winter cold damage is our most limiting factor for citrus in Alabama,” Spiers said. “Grafting satsumas onto trifoliate orange rootstock enhances cold tolerance and is the best rootstock choice for satsumas. A micro sprinkler arranged to target the graft union and another micro sprinkler placed within the canopy at 360 degrees has been our best option for active protection of field-grown satsumas.”
During a 2025 snowstorm that decimated much citrus production, growers who properly utilized irrigation techniques suffered the least damage, Kelley said. Irrigating before freezing allows the moist soil to hold heat for longer. Watering the day before predicted frost reduces yield losses.
Along with pre-freeze irrigation, growers are encouraged to use frost cloths, row covers or lightweight materials that cover the canopy. These types of covers trap radiant heat under the canopy and help protect the integrity of the tree.
Alongside physical freeze‑protection measures, Alabama producers favor satsumas because the variety’s natural hardiness fits the coastal environment. Alabama satsuma producers mainly stick to the Owari variety.
DISEASES
In 2025, the Auburn University Plant Diagnostic Lab confirmed citrus canker in samples from Mobile and Baldwin counties. Self-imposed quarantines were initiated to slow the spread.
“Since citrus canker spreads through rain and wind drift, we strongly encourage thorough equipment sanitation, especially between each orchard block,” Kelley said.
Citrus greening is another concern. Mobile and Baldwin counties have quarantines for citrus greening. Kelley said he is hopeful regarding greening since the detections were on residential properties and not commercial groves.
See the full article about Alabama citrus here.
Source: Alabama Cooperative Extension System
Share this Post