In 2025, high school student Tanishka Aglave regaled the Highlands County Citrus Growers Association (HCCGA) annual meeting with a discussion of her prize-winning investigation into a natural alternative treatment for HLB. Instead of using the standard HLB treatment oxytetracycline (OTC) as a trunk injection, she injected HLB-infected trees with an extract from the Indian curry leaf plant. She reported that …
University of California, Riverside (UCR) citrus researcher Mikeal Roose is among 23 honorees across the University of California (UC) campuses who recently received UC Regents Innovation Awards. Roose is credited with co-developing the seedless Tango mandarin. The awards recognize UC faculty members whose research has real-world impact. Roose was among 11 honored in the Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award category for …
Blood oranges are an enticing option to help cold-hardy citrus producers diversify their crop portfolio. Muhammad Shahid, assistant professor of horticulture at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, is researching the crop at the North Florida Research and Education Center in Quincy. Nothing has deterred him from recommending it to growers in North Florida, South Georgia …
Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) staff and members of the FDOC’s marketing agency recently presented plans for the November 2026 to February 2027 gift fruit shipping season. Their plan is called the Florida Citrus Gifting Campaign. The marketing plan was presented during a virtual meeting of the Florida Citrus Commission’s (FCC) Florida Gift Fruit Shippers Advisory Council. The 2026–27 gift …
The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) reminds the state’s citrus growers that if they plan to ship fresh citrus to Florida for packing, there are certain guidelines they must adhere to. The state of Florida requires all fresh citrus fruit coming into the state to be inspected for and free from citrus canker, sweet orange scab and citrus black spot …
Sponsored Content ReMedium TI® was introduced to the Florida market in January 2023. Since its introduction, citrus producers have experienced a steady recovery from citrus greening disease, also known as huanglongbing (HLB), one of the most significant challenges facing the Florida citrus industry. Across Florida, growers are reporting renewed optimism about the potential for recovery and future growth of the …
Agriculture organizations expressed strong disapproval at the passage of a California law establishing a minimum hourly wage of at least $19.75 next year for many agricultural workers in the state. This is nearly a 17% increase from the state’s current minimum wage of $16.90. Assembly Bill 2646, signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, establishes the $19.75 minimum wage for certain temporary …
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced Oct. 1 that it was expanding the citrus greening (also known as huanglongbing or HLB) quarantined area in California. APHIS is adding 155 square miles to the quarantined Murrieta area of Riverside and San Diego counties. This expansion impacts 125.6 acres of commercial citrus. The agency expanded …
Citrus under protective screen (CUPS) has proven its effectiveness in helping Florida citrus producers overcome citrus greening disease. Its place in the cold-hardy citrus region remains a question, however. Arnold Schumann, professor at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center and leading CUPS researcher, discussed the potential for CUPS in the …
The Florida Citrus Show will return Thursday, March 11, 2027, bringing Florida growers together for a day of education, networking and the latest developments in citrus and specialty crop production. The annual event will take place in Fort Pierce at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Indian River Research and Education Center and the U.S. Department …
By Noor Ul Basar, Muhammad Adnan Shahid, Duplicate Sambani and Davie M. Kadyampakeni Huanglongbing (HLB) remains the greatest challenge facing citrus production in Florida. While there is currently no cure for HLB, effective management of affected trees remains a primary focus for Florida citrus growers. Efficient nutrient management is an important strategy for maintaining the health and productivity of HLB-affected …
By Peter Chaires Growers and nurserymen have come to understand that citrus breeding is a continuum. It can’t be turned on and off like a light switch. Though priorities of emphasis, available techniques, tools and technologies may change, large shifts in breeding objectives take time and can produce delays and inefficiencies. Making crosses is a relatively quick process. Knowledgeable breeders …
In the long battle against HLB, there have been no tactics as successful at safeguarding citrus trees as protective screen. Citrus under protective screen (CUPS) structures can exclude the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) and HLB from entire blocks, while individual protective covers (IPCs) can keep individual trees free of HLB for the critical first few years after planting. In early …
U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA NASS) released its first citrus crop forecast of the 2026–27 season on Oct. 9. The federal forecast for all Florida citrus varieties, with the exception of lemons, is down from last season. All citrus crops in other states are expected to increase. FLORIDA The Florida all-orange crop is expected to plummet …
Consistent irrigation is needed during the final few weeks of production for this year’s crop in the cold-hardy citrus region. That management tactic will help prevent fruit splitting, said Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist. Sutton said she has seen fruit split in a couple of spots that was caused by extended dry, hot …
U.S. Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Scott Franklin (FL-18), Darren Soto (FL-09) and Kat Cammack (FL-03) introduced the Restore Agricultural Investment, Stability and Expansion (RAISE) Act of 2026, to provide the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) with the standing authority to help growers recover after natural disasters by issuing block grants. “Florida’s citrus industry knows firsthand the devastating impacts of …
A report published by the Argentine Citrus Federation outlines the production capacities, economic landscape and commercial distribution of Argentina’s citrus sector. The report is titled “The Argentine citrus industry: 2025 data and estimates.” It underscores the critical role citriculture plays in both regional economies and the national gross domestic product, positioning Argentina as a major global player, particularly in the …
Syngenta is seeking applicants for its 2027 Florida citrus summer internship program running from May to August. Interns will gain hands-on experience working beside industry professionals, develop technical agronomic skills and build a foundation for a career in agriculture. WHAT YOU’LL DO Intern activities include: Interns will receive mentorship, competitive wages and a company truck for work use. QUALIFICATIONS Qualifications …
Digital technology that creates virtual versions of orchards, trees and fruit shipments could eventually help citrus growers make more informed decisions about production and fruit quality, according to a new review of research. A digital twin combines real-world information, such as weather data, sensor readings and satellite or drone images, with computer models and artificial intelligence. The resulting virtual representation …
University of Georgia Assistant Professor and Citrus Extension Specialist Mary Sutton recently provided an update on Georgia citrus. Topics she addressed include fruit split, sunburn and upcoming fruit quality evaluations. FRUIT SPLIT Fruit split is still being seen “pretty regularly,” Sutton reported. She noted that this is normal in summer, especially when there are extreme fluctuations between dry and wet …
