Update on Fungicides for Citrus

Josh McGillCalifornia 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 …

orange

Copper Fungicides: The Essential Tool for Citrus Growers

Josh McGillSponsored 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 McGillSponsored 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 …

disease

Florida Foliar Disease Outlook for 2025

Daniel CooperDiseases

By Megan Dewdney As I write this article in January 2025, the world is a chilly place, and it is hard to imagine warm and wet weather in Florida. The predicted weather pattern from now until flowering is moving from La Niña toward neutral. This is predicted to bring above-average spring temperatures with reduced rainfall. This is a hopeful sign …

weather

Foliar Disease Watch in Florida

Daniel CooperDiseases, Tip of the Week

By Megan Dewdney Spring is the time to start thinking about foliar disease management in Florida. Depending on the type of citrus being produced and the market destination, different diseases will be important. POSTBLOOM FRUIT DROP The disease that affects all citrus, particularly oranges, is postbloom fruit drop (PFD). This disease is highly dependent on the weather during bloom. Currently, …

disease

Post-Hurricane Disease Concerns

Daniel CooperDiseases, hurricane

Phytophthora, citrus black spot and HLB are among diseases that could be spread in Florida groves as a direct or indirect result of Hurricane Milton, researcher Megan Dewdney cautioned. Dewdney, a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences associate professor of plant pathology, offered suggestions for dealing with those diseases during a recent hurricane recovery webinar. PHYTOPHTHORA Phytophthora …

protect

Protect Against Potential Fungus Post-Hurricane

Daniel CooperDiseases, hurricane

Citrus growers impacted by Hurricane Helene now must decide the best management strategy to protect trees from potential disease issues prior to harvest. Kim Jones, a citrus grower and packer with operations in Monticello, Florida, and Tifton, Georgia, weighed in on what to consider to protect trees. “Fungus is the biggest risk at this point,” said Jones. “The sunshine is …

Syngenta

Syngenta Seeks Citrus Interns for Summer

Daniel CooperIndustry News Release

Syngenta Crop Protection has announced it is accepting applications for its summer 2025 citrus internship program. These are paid internships offering hands-on experience in the agriculture industry. Applications can be made online. Applicants should complete the survey and upload their resumes here. The deadline for applying is Nov. 8, 2024.  ABOUT THE INTERNSHIPS Interns are assigned to mentors and territories …

greasy spot

Symptoms and Management of Brown Rot and Greasy Spot

Daniel CooperDiseases

University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) presenters on Aug. 30 discussed symptoms and management of the fungal citrus diseases brown rot and greasy spot. Plant pathologist and associate professor Megan Dewdney, the featured speaker, focused on management. Multi-county citrus Extension agent Mongi Zekri, who hosted Dewdney’s talk, described disease symptoms. BROWN ROT Brown rot is usually …

Hurricane Debby

Impact of Hurricane Debby on North Florida Citrus

Daniel Cooperhurricane

High wind speeds were prevalent when Hurricane Debby passed through the North Florida region last week. Perry, Florida, received the brunt of those winds. According to Lisa Strange, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension agent in Taylor County, wind speeds were recorded at 80 miles per hour. It led to some citrus trees toppling over. Others …

booth

Visit the UF/IFAS Citrus Extension Booth at the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo

Daniel CooperCitrus Expo, Tip of the Week

By Jamie D. Burrow and Michaela Ivy Since the spring, planning has been underway for the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus Extension team booth to be on display at the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo. The event is Aug. 21–22 at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. The booth will be in the same …

Saving Citrus

Saving Citrus Symposium Focused on Fruit Drop

Daniel CooperEvents, Fruit Drop

KeyPlex recently hosted its third Saving Citrus Symposium in Sebring, Florida. The event focuses on fruit drop, which has been a major problem for growers in recent years. The third gathering provided an update on research KeyPlex has sponsored to seek causes of fruit drop and ways to manage against it. The research began in January 2021 when company personnel …

March

All In For Citrus Podcast, July 2024

Daniel CooperAll In For Citrus Podcast

As citrus growers try to stabilize production in the midst of endemic HLB, maintaining the industry’s infrastructure is critically important. Two key sectors of that infrastructure are citrus nurseries and juice processors. In the July episode of the All In For Citrus podcast, Michael Rogers, director of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research …

postharvest

Ways to Cut Postharvest Waste

Daniel CooperInternational, Research

Citrus farming worldwidedelivers an annual 140 million tons of oranges, tangerines and other citrus fruits, but much of the postharvest crop is lost before it reaches the market. “Up to 30% of citrus fruit is lost to decay and disease following harvesting,” says food scientist Yang Shan, a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and head of the Dongting …

greasy spot

Phytophthora Increasing; HLB Complicates Control

Daniel CooperDiseases

Phytophthora incidences are increasing in Florida citrus groves, plant pathologist Ozgur Batuman reported during a May 21 presentation. Phytophthora diseases include foot rot of trunk and limbs, root rot and brown rot. Batuman, a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences associate professor, said these diseases led to yield reductions of 3% to 6% per year even prior …

phytophthora

Phytophthora: A Complex Problem

Daniel CooperDiseases

While the recent Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute presentations focused mainly on HLB, other topics were addressed, including phytophthora root rot. This disease has become more problematic in recent years. Megan Dewdney, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences associate professor of plant pathology, spoke on the topic. She noted that phytophthora already is a complex problem and that …

citrus

Hacks and Suggestions for Georgia Citrus Growers

Daniel CooperGeorgia, 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 …

waxing

Waxing the Right Way

Daniel CooperFresh

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 McGillFresh, 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 …