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News for citrus growers around the globe
Three organizations on March 3 sued the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over its decision in the final days of the Trump administration to reapprove previously cancelled uses of the pesticide aldicarb on Florida oranges and grapefruit. The Farmworker Association of Florida, the Center for Biological Diversity and the Environmental Working Group filed the suit in the District of Columbia …
Florida’s orange crop forecast was reduced by 500,000 boxes to 55.5 million boxes in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) March 9 citrus crop forecast. This represents a 1% reduction from the February forecast. If the March projection is realized, it will be 18% lower than last season’s final production. Florida’s Valencia orange crop forecast was reduced by 1 million …
Two disaster assistance programs available to citrus growers were discussed during the virtual 2021 Louisiana State University AgCenter Citrus Symposium. The Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) and the Tree Assistance Program (TAP) are both offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Services Agency (USDA-FSA). Jamie Rodreguez, a USDA-FSA county executive director in Louisiana, made the presentation. Rodreguez said …
By Lauren Diepenbrock While scale and mealybug pests commonly found in citrus have historically been controlled by predators and parasites, management advice for this group of insects is often requested. There are likely several underlying factors to these insects becoming more frequently encountered. This includes changes in insecticide management practices, changes in nutritional management, and increased scouting due to the …
Geopolitcal expert Peter Zeihan was the keynote speaker for the recent California Citrus Mutual Showcase. The showcase was presented March 4 online. Zeihan said he believes North America will recover from the economic impacts of COVID-19 this year, but the rest of the world will not. That, along with other factors, leads him to predict a trade war is inevitable, …
By Emilie Demard and Jawwad Qureshi Managing the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), a vector of huanglongbing (HLB), is critical for reducing disease incidence and improving tree health. Growing citrus under screened structures, referred to as citrus under protective screen (CUPS), protects trees from ACP and HLB. CUPS provides an opportunity to produce premium-quality fresh fruit by preventing psyllids and HLB …
The Australian finger lime, a citrus relative, could be a new specialty crop for Florida citrus growers. Traditionally, finger limes have remained rare in the United States, grown few and far between. However, the fruit’s unique tolerance to HLB is becoming increasingly attractive to Florida growers. Manjul Dutt, research assistant scientist at the University of Florida Institute of Food and …
The Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) is establishing a new project to evaluate the most promising citrus rootstocks in grower field trials. The rootstock trials are projected to be planted in the spring or summer of 2022. The goal will be to identify plant material with the traits needed for growers to realize the highest possible pound solids per …
Citrus took the biggest freeze hit from recent Winter Storm Uri of any agricultural commodity in Texas, reported Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. AgriLife Extension estimated citrus crop losses of at least $230 million. Other Texas commodities taking major freeze hits were livestock, with losses of at least $228 million, and vegetable crops, with at least $150 million in losses. …
In a recent message to members of the Florida citrus industry, Florida Citrus Commission Chairman Steve Johnson focused on the role of social media influencers in promoting Florida orange juice. Johnson stated that partnerships with influencers on social media and in traditional media comprise what he called “a critical component” of the Florida Department of Citrus’ (FDOC) e-commerce marketing campaign. …
By Francisco Seva Rivadulla Citrus imports in the European Union (EU) are causing a large oversupply in the market. According to the Valencian Association of Farmers, the largest organization of agricultural producers in Spain, a new record of 2,198,146 tons of citrus were exported to the EU from January to October 2020. This represents an increase of 15.4% over the …
Global grapefruit production in 2020-21 is forecast up slightly to a record 6.9 million tons due to favorable weather and expanded area in China and Mexico, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). Additionally, global consumption is forecast to reach a new record with the higher supplies as exports grow to their highest level in three …
Citrus canker, a highly contagious bacterial disease of citrus, was first detected in Louisiana around 1914 and declared eradicated by 1940. However, the disease reappeared in the state in 2013. Right now, there are no effective treatments to eliminate the disease after the infection has occurred. Adding insult to injury, Louisiana’s hot and humid climate is especially conducive to the …
Tripti Vashisth revealed new research information on what causes preharvest fruit drop and possible strategies to mitigate the problem. The Florida citrus industry, stricken by HLB, has suffered a sharp increase in preharvest fruit drop, leading to a substantial reduction in citrus production. According to Vashisth, assistant professor of horticulture at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural …
Florida citrus production has decreased for almost two decades. According to Marisa Zansler, director of economic and market research at the Florida Department of Citrus, the two main factors for the state’s steady decline are citrus greening (huanglongbing, known as HLB) and Hurricane Irma. Zansler presented staggering statistics during the Florida Agricultural Policy Outlook Conference on Feb. 26 that showed …
Researchers from the University of California’s Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center are asking for help from industry members as they investigate citrus thrips. Thrips are a serious headache for citrus growers. They cause issues in all varieties of citrus, particularly in the San Joaquin Valley. Additionally, the pest has been known to rapidly develop resistance to management materials. Growers …
By Evan Johnson Now that bloom has arrived, it is time to start thinking about canker management. As the fruitlets develop, they will become susceptible around the end of March to the beginning of April. The spring fruit lesions are particularly concerning because they cause fruit drop. Without proper management, early season canker can cause 90 to 100% crop loss …
Fertilizers help crops reach maximum yields while fungicides prevent diseases. But what if there were products available that could further enhance the fruiting qualities all growers hope to achieve every season? IMPROVED FRUIT PRODUCTIONIf growers can increase the level of flowering hormones in their crops, this will allow for a better fertilization process that will generate improved fruit set and …
By Jawwad Qureshi Managing the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) is critical because of its role in spreading huanglongbing (HLB). Biological control is one method for ACP control. It is essential for developing integrated and sustainable pest management strategies. Biological control has always been a vital component of citrus pest management in Florida; understanding its contribution to the mortality of ACP …
Michael Rogers with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) discussed plans to hire a new citrus horticulturist, as well as grower meetings set for March. Rogers is director of the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) in Lake Alfred. The horticulturist to be hired will work with UF/IFAS plant breeders on the field development …
