The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) recently provided flooding resources for citrus growers in the wake of heavy rains and flooding in early November.
Standing water in groves can be very damaging to trees, regardless of the source, UF/IFAS stated. It emphasized that pooled water or surplus water in a field from sources such as heavy rain or malfunctioning irrigation equipment are not considered flooding in the food-safety context. Learn more about the differences in “Floods, Pooled Water, and Produce Safety,” published in the UF/IFAS Citrus Magazine, August 2026 edition, page 32.
UF/IFAS reported that flooding injury is likely if citrus root systems are in saturated soil for three or more days during the warmer months when soil temperatures are between 86 and 95 degrees. If flooding occurs when the soil temperatures are below 60 degrees, saturated soils can be tolerated for several weeks. Tree stress is much lower if the water is moving rather than stagnant.
According to UF/IFAS, roots or soil samples that smell sour or like rotten eggs shortly after the flooding event indicate low oxygen environments. Root sloughing indicates that fibrous roots are damaged and dying.
Read more from UF/IFAS about flooding and standing water in citrus groves here.
FLOODING ASSESSMENTS
Amir Rezazadeh, UF/IFAS multi-county fruit and field crops Extension agent in St. Lucie and Indian River counties, reported that most citrus trees in areas where water receded quickly have not suffered substantial flood damage. He emphasized that the situation depends heavily on location and how quickly each site drains.
Learn more about the recent flood’s impacts on Florida citrus here.
FLOODING DAMAGE SURVEY
UF/IFAS is collecting information on agricultural losses and damages resulting from the heavy rainfall and flooding in early November. Information collected will help support assessments of losses to Florida agriculture. Take the survey here.
REPLACEMENT FERTILIZER APPLICATIONS
Growers enrolled in the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Best Management Practices program may make replacement fertilizer applications on enrolled acreage in counties covered by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ executive order as a result of the rain and flooding. Those counties are Brevard, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Indian River, Lake, Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, Seminole, St. Lucie and Volusia.
These applications may be used to reestablish, replant or recondition crops impacted by the recent rainfall, provided certain conditions are met, including:
- Replacement applications may not exceed the amount of nitrogen or phosphorus applied to the initial crop prior to the executive order.
- Applications must be made within 90 days of the effective date of the initial executive order.
- Growers must retain documentation of both the initial and replacement applications for implementation verification.
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