The Center for Food Safety on Dec. 13 petitioned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to immediately suspend and cancel the herbicide glyphosate, the main ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup. The center filed the petition on behalf of itself, Beyond Pesticides and four farmworker advocacy groups. Last year, in a lawsuit by the same nonprofit organizations, a federal court of appeals struck down …
FFVA Endorses Glyphosate Renewal in Europe
Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) recently submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service endorsing the European Union’s (EU) 10-year registration renewal efforts for glyphosate. In the letter, FFVA stressed that glyphosate herbicide has been used safely and successfully in Europe for more than 40 years. It noted that leading health regulators, including in Europe, the …
Improving Yield Safety of Glyphosate
By Ramdas Kanissery Florida citrus growers face weed management problems throughout the year because of conditions that favor rapid weed growth in groves. A weed-free tree row is desired in a citrus grove to minimize weed competition with trees. Hence, chemical weed control using post-emergent, systemic herbicides like glyphosate has become a vital production practice in the Florida citrus industry. …
Glyphosate Decision Disappoints Ag Groups
Several national agricultural organizations issued a statement expressing disappointment over the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent glyphosate decision not to hear the case Monsanto vs. Hardeman, which pertains to state glyphosate health warnings. The statement read: “We are disappointed the Supreme Court has decided not to hear this case, which has significant implications for our global food supply and science-based regulation. …
Ag Groups Want Glyphosate Case Heard
A total of 54 agricultural organizations have voiced concern regarding the possibility of a detrimental precedent being set. A letter was sent to President Joe Biden outlining concerns related to an amicus brief that was recently submitted to the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS). In the brief, Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar advises SCOTUS against hearing a case related to glyphosate and …
Alternatives to Glyphosate in Groves
There are good reasons glyphosate is the most popular herbicide in U.S. citrus groves, but there are also concerns about its use, says Ramdas Kanissery. Because of the concerns, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences weed scientist suggests alternatives that growers can consider. Kanissery discusses glyphosate and its alternatives in a presentation originally intended for the …
Understanding Glyphosate Formulations
By Ramdas Kanissery, Steve Futch, Brent Sellers and Camille McAvoy Glyphosate is a popular post-emergent herbicide among Florida citrus growers for its broad-spectrum of weed control under trees and in row middles. The use of glyphosate as a “burn-down” application alone, or in combination with other herbicides, is a standard practice in citrus groves. Various glyphosate-containing product formulations are available …
How to Handle Glyphosate-Related Fruit Drop
By Ramdas Kanissery, Fernando Alferez and Ozgur Batuman Herbicides are one of the key inputs necessary for effective management of a wide diversity of weed infestations in citrus crop production. Most weeds in citrus could be controlled by adopting a weed management program that utilizes a combination of herbicides based on their selectivity and compatibility with the crop. This would …
Using Herbicides in Hot Weather
By Ramdas Kanissery Managing weeds during the summer is crucial for Florida citrus. However, due to the high temperatures typical of Florida’s summer months, several factors must be considered when using herbicides in citrus groves during hot weather. INCREASE EFFECTIVENESS High heat and drought stress can slow plant growth and affect how herbicides move or translocate in weeds. When temperatures …
Herbicide Application During Rainy Weather
By Ramdas Kanissery Finding the right time to apply post-emergent herbicides for controlling weeds in citrus groves is challenging in the summer months due to frequent rain. Rainy conditions delay grove maintenance, including herbicide spraying, while also impacting the effectiveness of the herbicides. Monitoring weather forecasts and identifying optimal conditions for herbicide applications can help achieve the best results. Below …
How to Improve Herbicide Efficiency
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) weed scientist Ramdas Kanissery offered numerous tips and observations for improving herbicide efficiency at this spring’s Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute. They included: In addition to discussing herbicides, Kanissery reported that cover cropping, an emergent practice in Florida citrus production, may contribute to longer-term weed management in row middles. Read more …
HLB Tools for Today and Tomorrow
By Frank Giles and Tacy Callies The Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo hosted two citrus educational sessions during the Aug. 16–17 event held at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. The sessions included both long-term research aimed at delivering trees resistant to HLB as well as what growers can do today to help mitigate the effects of the disease in …
Integrating Use of Organic Soil Amendments and Weed Management
By Ute Albrecht, Ankit Pokhrel, Sarah Strauss and Ramdas Kanissery The soils in most Florida citrus production areas are sandy. They have less than 1% organic matter and a low cation exchange capacity (CEC). This makes them prone to nutrient leaching, especially after heavy rainfall events in the summer. HUMIC SUBSTANCESOne way to improve soils is by amending them with …
How to Squelch Summer Weeds
Summer is “a field day for weeds,” Ramdas Kanissery said in a March 29 presentation about weed control for citrus. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences assistant professor provided a progressive step-by-step approach to suppressing weeds during the summer. CONTROL EXISTING WEEDSGrowers can get off to a good start by controlling existing weeds with post-emergent herbicides. …
Organic Juice Company Reports Earth-Friendly Practices
In celebration of Earth Day on April 22, Uncle Matt’s Organic described how it uses numerous environmentally friendly practices. The company said use of cover crops in its groves helps control weeds and promotes healthy soil. The complex root systems from the cover crops nurture robust biodiversity in the soil. This ecosystem provides water retention, nutrient availability and carbon capture. …
Effects of Compost and Organic Amendments on Weed Control
By Ramdas Kanissery and Mahesh Bashyal Using compost and soil amendments is beneficial to Florida citrus groves. Florida soils are sandy and have a low organic matter and cation exchange capacity. Adding compost and organic amendments (e.g., humic acid) can enhance the soil’s ability to retain water and nutrients. These practices can also boost soil microbial activity and improve soil …
Orange Light: New Name for Uncle Matt’s Product
Uncle Matt’s Organic is reintroducing its Matt50™ Orange Juice (OJ) Beverage as Orange Light. Orange Light contains half the sugar and calories as regular OJ. It is boosted with vitamin C, plus prebiotics and probiotics for gut health and immune support. Orange Light is available at Whole Foods Market and Sprouts Farmers Market locations nationwide and is also available for purchase directly …
Making Sense of Pesticide Formulations
By Brandon White 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. Have you ever wondered what the numbers or letters following the trade name of your pesticide stand for or why …
Changes in Pesticide Residue Tolerances on Citrus Destined for Korea
By Mark A. Ritenour The U.S. and other countries set maximum residue limits (MRLs) on fresh produce for various chemicals, including pesticides that might be used preharvest or postharvest. These materials must be labeled for use on the crop of interest and used only according to label instructions. While it is unlikely for U.S. MRLs to be exceeded when label …
Impact of Herbicides on Fruit Drop
Growers know the negative impacts of any kind stress on trees infected by HLB. That raised a question: Can injury from herbicides make fruit drop worse? Ramdas Kanissery, an assistant professor of weed science with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), conducted a research project to help answer that question. Kanissery discusses the research in …