Update on Fungicides for Citrus

Josh McGill California Corner, Diseases

In a recent webinar, Jim Adaskaveg, University of California, Riverside professor and plant pathologist, discussed some recently registered fungicides to manage phytophthora and other fungal diseases of citrus. Orondis was registered in 2018, Presidio in 2019 and Revus in 2020. Adaskaveg said Orondis and Revus each contain a new active ingredient with a different mode of action and provide a …

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Copper Fungicides: The Essential Tool for Citrus Growers

Josh McGill Sponsored Content

One of the main issues for citrus crop growers is the quick spread of fungal and bacterial diseases due to warm, wet growing conditions. Without proper methods to prevent and control diseases, crop yield can be greatly reduced, and groves can become ruined. How do you produce a healthy citrus crop while keeping diseases under control? For generations, growers have …

Benefits of Biological Fungicides for Citrus Production

Josh McGill Sponsored Content

Since many of the regions where citrus trees grow have warm, humid climates, bacterial and fungal diseases can easily run rampant. Preventative methods are the best way to control diseases in citrus, because if problems occur once new leaves, shoots and fruit are developing, it is likely too late to stop the disease during that growing season. Growers can use …

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Hacks and Suggestions for Georgia Citrus Growers

Daniel Cooper Georgia, Production

Citrus meetings are vital to a grower’s plan for the upcoming season. What they learn and take back to the grove can provide major benefits heading into the upcoming harvest season. The recent Georgia Citrus Association annual meeting provided a venue for growers to share management tips with their peers. Lindy Savelle, president of the Georgia Citrus Association, compiled a …

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Waxing the Right Way

Daniel Cooper Fresh

An article about citrus waxing was recently published by Citrus Australia. The article, written by John Golding, a research horticulturist with the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, is summarized here. Waxing citrus can help maintain quality and enhance the fruit’s appearance. However, using the wrong type of wax or applying an excessively thick layer can overly restrict gas …

New Decay Control Options on the Horizon for Florida Citrus

Josh McGill Fresh, Research

By Mark A. Ritenour and Jiuxu Zhang Preventing decay of fresh fruit has always been critical for a successful citrus industry. Prior to citrus greening (huanglongbing or HLB) in Florida, effective decay control practices were well established. These practices fueled Florida’s robust fresh domestic and export citrus sales, allowing shipping durations of 21 days or more. Since the establishment of …

Sneak Peek: November 2023 Citrus Industry

Josh McGill Sneak Peek

As the new citrus season gets underway in Florida, growers are hopeful for an improved harvest. The initial U.S. Department of Agriculture forecast for 2023–24 calls for a 30% increase in the state’s orange crop. The November issue of Citrus Industry magazine has details on the forecast and other good news for growers. In the issue’s cover story, Wheeler Farms …

Syngenta Seeks Summer Intern Applicants

Josh McGill Education

Syngenta is seeking citrus interns in Florida for the summer of 2024, with an application deadline of Nov. 1. The company plans to schedule and hold interviews before Thanksgiving. Syngenta provided the following information about the internship program and the qualification requirements:  PROGRAM OVERVIEWCitrus interns at Syngenta gain hands-on experience in the ag industry. This is a paid internship that …

Trunk Injection Wounding: What You Need to Know

Josh McGill HLB Management, Tip of the Week

By Ute Albrecht and Leigh Archer  Trunk injection is an alternative technique for applying crop protection materials. This technology has now been approved to deliver oxytetracycline (OTC) for huanglongbing (HLB) management in Florida. Injections cause injury, and best practices need to be established to minimize injection-induced tree damage. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researchers (UF/IFAS) injected …

Seeking Injection Alternatives and Additions

Josh McGill CRDF, HLB Management, Research

The Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) approved three new projects during its September board of directors meeting. The projects will test the injection of different antimicrobial materials to treat HLB. One project will be managed by Ozgur Batuman, a citrus pathologist with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). Another will be run by Kranthi …

Highlights From Citrus Packinghouse Day Presentations

Josh McGill Events, Packing

Trunk injection for HLB, diplodia stem-end rot (diplodia SER) and citrus under protective screen (CUPS) were among topics addressed at the recent Citrus Packinghouse Day. The event took place at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC). TRUNK INJECTION FOR HLBTrunk injection of oxytetracycline (OTC) increases tree health, fruit quality …

What To Do When Groves Flood

Josh McGill hurricane, Weather

By Mongi Zekri During heavy rains in the summer, excess water must be removed from the root zone. Flooding injury can be expected if the root zone is saturated for three days or more during extended summer rains at relatively high soil temperatures (86 to 95 degrees). Flooding during the cooler December–March period can be tolerated for several weeks at …

California and Arizona Citrus Projects Funded

Josh McGill California Corner, Research

The California and Arizona departments of agriculture received funding for four citrus-related projects from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) for 2023. Nationwide, USDA AMS allocated $72.9 million in Specialty Crop Block Grant Program funding. DROUGHT-TOLERANT VARIETIESThe California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) received $499,921 for designing drought-tolerant specialty crops using metabolic modeling. The University …

Update on Sweet Orange Scab in California

Josh McGill California Corner, Diseases

A California researcher recently provided an update on sweet orange scab (SOS). The fungal disease has been detected in the state 18 times since 2013. University of California, Riverside professor and plant pathologist Jim Adaskaveg said most of the detections have been in Southern California, especially in Imperial County. Eleven detections have been in commercial lemon orchards, three in commercial …

Long-Term Research Proves CUPS Performance

Josh McGill CUPS, Research

Arnold Schumann, a professor of soil fertility and water quality with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), led the effort to study the effectiveness of citrus under protective screen (CUPS) in protecting trees from HLB. The work resulted in growers having confidence in the practice. Today, Florida CUPS plantings are closing in on 1,000 commercial …

Fine-Tuning CUPS Production Practices

Josh McGill CUPS, Production

Mixon family members were pioneers in the Florida blueberry industry. Brothers Jerry and Keith Mixon planted their first berries in 1993. Over the years, they grew their business and became worldwide marketers, eventually adding blackberries, raspberries and strawberries to their portfolio. BACK TO CITRUSIn 2011, they sold their berry business to the Dole Food Company. But the brothers still had …

Don’t Rush Freeze Recovery

Josh McGill freeze

Do not apply recovery techniques immediately after a freeze, cold-hardy citrus growers were advised after freezes hit their groves in December 2022 and January 2023. The best strategy is to wait to observe new growth until at least late spring, researcher Muhammad Shahid told the Georgia Citrus Association at its recent annual meeting. Shahid is a University of Florida Institute …

New Plantings a Focus of Phytophthora Management

Josh McGill Diseases

Plant pathologist Megan Dewdney put emphasis on new plantings during a mid-March discussion of phytophthora management for citrus trees infected with HLB. Dewdney is a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) associate professor at the Citrus Research and Education Center, where she spoke. Dewdney’s presentation was part of an OJ break hosted by UF/IFAS Extension multi-county …

Post-hurricane Expectations for Foliar Diseases and Phytophthora

Josh McGill Diseases, hurricane

By Megan Dewdney For foliar diseases, 2022 started off easily with limited outbreaks in Florida because the spring was dryer than average. The same La Niña weather pattern responsible for the dry conditions of the last two springs is predicted to occur again this winter into early spring. The weather pattern is then predicted to become a neutral pattern with …

Key Terms to Know When Using Pesticides

Josh McGill CEU, Pesticides

By Ajia Paolillo Editor’s note: This article grants one continuing education unit (CEU) in the Core category toward the renewal of a Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services restricted-use pesticide license when the accompanying test is submitted and approved. As a certified restricted-use pesticide applicator, it is your responsibility to use pesticides safely, not only for yourself but for …