 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
News for citrus growers around the globe
By Michael E. Rogers Florida citrus growers continue to adapt to new challenges, regulations and technologies while maintaining the resilience that has defined the industry for generations. Supporting that effort, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) research and Extension programs remain focused on delivering practical, science-based solutions that help growers maintain productive and profitable operations. For …
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has expanded the huanglongbing (HLB) quarantine boundary in San Diego County following the confirmation of one HLB-positive residential citrus tree in Fallbrook. CDFA is also expanding the Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP) Bulk Citrus Regional Quarantine Zone 6 to reflect the HLB quarantine boundary expansion. A map of the expanded boundary can be …
As high temperatures become more common in citrus-growing regions, researchers are searching for ways to help trees better tolerate heat. A new study suggests that two naturally occurring plant hormones — abscisic acid (ABA) and brassinosteroids (BR) — may strengthen citrus trees’ defenses against heat stress. The research was published in the journal Horticulturae by Longfei Jin, Yueting Sun, Yanmei …
California Citrus Mutual (CCM) has selected Tom Danowski as its new CEO effective Sept. 1. Danowski most recently served 13 years as president and CEO of the Oregon Wine Board and Oregon Winegrowers Association. There, he helped drive the Oregon wine industry’s total annual economic impact from $2.7 billion to $8 billion, CCM reported. Prior to working in Oregon’s wine industry, …
As citrus growers continue searching for varieties that can perform under huanglongbing (HLB) pressure, researchers are looking beyond tree survival. Fruit quality, flavor and consumer acceptance are becoming increasingly important parts of the equation. A new study evaluated several HLB-tolerant mandarin hybrids and identified selections that combine disease tolerance with traits that could make them attractive for fresh-market production. An …
Citrus rust mite (CRM) populations in Texas often reach peak levels from late spring through early fall, researchers with Texas A&M University-Kingsville Citrus Center reported. The researchers, Tolulope Agunbiade and Mamoudou Sétamou, offered background on CRM and management practices in “Citrus Rust Mite, Tiny but Mighty for the Texas Citrus Industry,” an article in the first edition of the university’s …
Citrus greening disease continues to loom over the cold-hardy citrus region. While the industry expands in South Georgia and North Florida, the threat of the disease (also known as huanglongbing, or HLB) remains a focal point of citrus meetings, including on July 28 at the Southeast Georgia Citrus Update in Lyons. Jonathan Oliver, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and …
Recent research provides one of the clearest pictures to date of how huanglongbing (HLB) disease develops over time and affects different parts of a tree. An article about the research — “Microscopic Atlas of Citrus Huanglongbing Unravels Its Sequential Disease Development Mechanism” — was published in the journal Phytopathology. The authors are researchers Diann Achor, Camila Ribeiro, Jinyun Li and …
Colorado State University (CSU) made little change to its 2026 Atlantic hurricane forecast in its final seasonal update on Aug. 5, but it did lower the probabilities of a major hurricane making landfall in the United States and tracking through the Caribbean. CSU continues to forecast nine named storms, four hurricanes and one major hurricane (Category 3 or stronger) for …
New Australian research reveals that the halftime orange is being squeezed out of junior sports, with the childhood ritual increasingly being replaced by sports drinks and packaged snacks. A YouGov survey showed that 93% of parents believed the halftime orange ritual was dying out. According to parents, fewer than 30% of kids are eating orange wedges at the halftime break. …
Representatives from Fundecitrus participated in a recent roundtable discussion about the challenges of combating citrus greening. The roundtable was part of the 44th São Paulo Congress of Phytopathology in Brazil. Participants included Fundecitrus researcher Renato Bassanezi, Technology Transfer Manager Ivaldo Sala and board member Luiz Fernando Girotto, who is an agricultural director at a citrus company. The participants discussed an …
Freeze protection is a vital part of university research in the cold-hardy citrus region. Growers in South Georgia, South Alabama and North Florida only have to look back to last season to see temperatures that dropped to dangerously low levels for citrus production. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, discussed freeze-protection measures at the …
When citrus growers think about viruses and viroids, symptoms above ground — such as tree decline, leaf issues and poor fruit production — often receive the most attention. A new study shows that what happens below the soil surface may also provide important clues about how citrus rootstocks respond to these pathogens. The study, “Root Traits Responses of Citrus Rootstocks …
By Jamie D. Burrow and Tripti Vashisth Florida citrus production continues to change, and staying up to date is vital. The Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo seminars are an opportunity for growers to hear the latest updates from University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus researchers. A mix of panel discussions and presentations is scheduled to …
State, local and federal agriculture officials have eradicated a Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) infestation centered in and around the City of San Jose, California. The eradication ends a 241-square-mile quarantine that began on Aug. 19, 2025. The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Santa Clara County and Alameda County agricultural commissioner’s …
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) recently announced that the enrollment window for citrus packinghouse and nursery equipment grants is open and will remain open through Sept. 1. FDACS is offering 70% cost-share funding to support equipment purchases, equipment refurbishment and related infrastructure repairs for eligible packinghouses and commercial citrus nurseries in Florida. PACKINGHOUSE COST-SHARE FDACS …
For years, conversations surrounding Florida citrus have often centered on challenges: HLB, hurricanes, freezes and shrinking production. But today, there is a different feeling taking hold across the industry. That renewed sense of optimism will be on full display at the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo Aug. 12–13 in Fort Myers, where the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) is returning …
Researchers are studying why some citrus species appear to handle huanglongbing (HLB) better than others. Understanding these differences could help breeders develop more resilient citrus varieties and rootstocks for future production. A new study compared nine citrus species infected with HLB and identified differences in how the plants respond to the disease, including changes in nutrient levels, stress responses and …
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on July 23 announced its intent to purchase $32.5 million of fresh citrus from American growers. USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, under Section 32 of the Agriculture Act of 1935, will make the purchases. The fresh citrus will be distributed to food banks and nutrition assistance programs across the country. The fresh citrus purchases will …
Heavy March rain in Texas’ citrus-production region brought both a sigh of relief and concerns, according to Texas A&M University-Kingsville Citrus Center researchers Veronica Ancona, Joel Cabrera and Madhurababu Kunta. TEXAS FLOODING “Receiving from 12 to 24 inches of rain across the region sounds great, except that it was in a short period of time, leaving areas flooded, including citrus …
