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News for citrus growers around the globe
The use of plant growth regulators (PGRs) has been a popular method to treat HLB-infected citrus trees. The materials have continued to be applied in conjunction with trunk injection of oxytetracycline (OTC) to improve tree health. Tripti Vashisth, an associate professor of horticultural sciences with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), has been studying PGRs …
The 2024 California Citrus Acreage Report indicates that acreage for five varieties increased from 2022 to 2024 while acreage for the state’s two orange varieties decreased during the same period. INCREASES The increases were in: DECREASES Navel oranges declined from 113,586 acres in 2022 to 112,366 acres in 2024. Valencia orange acres dipped from 26,225 to 25,297 acres for the …
Citrus black spot (CBS) is a constant concern for producers in northern Argentina, causing premature fall of affected fruit and aesthetic damage that reduces commercial value. Researchers at the National Agricultural Technology Institute in Yuto, Argentina (INTA Yuto) are working on rapid detection of the disease. Their work is based on a protocol that focuses on the location of the …
By Marisa L. Zansler In May 2024, news of Brazil’s 2024–25 orange crop forecast declining from 307 million boxes to 232 million boxes — a 24% drop — sent frozen concentrated orange juice (FCOJ) futures prices to historic highs. The futures price reached $4.87 per pound solids on May 28 before settling at $4.22 per pound solids at the end …
By Davie Kadyampakeni, Tripti Vashisth and Duplicate Sambani The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) conducted an experiment for four and a half years to determine effects of soil amendments on soil pH. The impacts of fulvic acid, humic acid and sulfuric acid with and without elemental sulfur were compared. Canopy size, fruit yield, fruit quality, …
Acadian Plant Health (APH) is the largest independent marine plant harvesting, cultivation, and extraction company in the world, and an international leader in sustainable, science-based biological solutions for crops. A team of researchers with Acadian closely studied the effects of Ascophyllum nodosum-based bio-stimulants and how they increase resilience against environmental stresses. Holly Little, director of research and development, speaks with AgNet …
There is a constant stream of research flowing out of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). In recent years, much of that science has focused on the fight against HLB. There are various venues where growers and other stakeholders can learn more about this research, including the All In For Citrus podcast. The podcast, produced …
Federal and state agriculture officials recently removed several fruit fly quarantines in Texas and California. TEXAS On July 16, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA/APHIS) and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) removed the Mexican fruit fly (Mexfly) quarantine in Sullivan City, Hidalgo County. This action releases 68 square miles from quarantine. There was …
July to September is the optimum time to collect citrus soil and leaf samples for analysis. Soil and leaf sampling are key components in the evaluation of a citrus nutrition program and required Citrus Best Management Practices recordkeeping documentation. Annual sampling and its analysis provide a good idea of the nutritional trends that have been occurring within specific grove blocks …
The virtues of daily irrigation and increased micronutrient applications were among key points researcher Davie Kadyampakeni made in an Aug. 13 discussion of citrus production in the HLB era. Kadyampakeni is a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) associate professor of soil, water and ecosystem sciences at the Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred. …
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 …
Through Hort Innovation investments on behalf of growers and the Australian government, the National Citrus Repository Program has been established as an ‘insurance policy’ to protect Australia’s citrus industry against destructive, incurable diseases. The repository houses more than 120 publicly-owned true-to-type ‘foundation tree’ variety clones so growers can access clean, disease-free planting material for assured quality and yield protection. According …
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Weather Service forecasters issued an Atlantic hurricane outlook update on Aug. 8 very similar to its initial outlook issued in May. Both outlooks projected an above-normal hurricane season. The forecasters updated the number of expected named storms to 17 to 24 (with winds of 39 mph or greater), of which eight to 13 …
Sponsored Content In this special series, Tom Johnson, owner of TJ BioTech, tackles questions about optimizing trunk-injection applications to treat HLB. Q: Is there more to the purity of a trunk injection of ReMedium TI® than just the purity of the active ingredient? Tom Johnson: The purity of a trunk injection is important to the overall performance of the active …
By Peter Chaires The New Varieties Development and Management Corp. (NVDMC) has awarded funding to citrus projects for the 2024–25 season. Exciting things are happening in crop transformation, but significant progress is also being made in conventional breeding. The NVDMC board continues to support conventional breeding projects, each with a focus on near-term results, while still setting a foundation for …
Since no cure exists for citrus greening-diseased plants, Brazilian researchers are developing ways to modify orange trees and the environment around groves to make it harder for greening-spreading psyllids to thrive. LOCATION AND LAYOUT The ideal grove envisioned by Fundecitrus researchers, in collaboration with the Spanish National Research Council/Polytechnic University of Valencia and Durham University (England), starts with a careful …
By Michael E. Rogers Do you plan to attend the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo on Aug. 21–22 at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa? If so, you’ll want to stop by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Extension booth to pick up the latest publication on HLB management assembled by UF/IFAS citrus experts. …
The University of Georgia (UGA) announced the appointment of citrus Extension specialist Mary Sutton and peach and citrus breeder Dario Chavez. MARY SUTTON Sutton will focus on maximizing citrus production and improving its efficiency in the face of challenges. Issues important to citrus production in Georgia include: Sutton received her master’s degree in horticulture from UGA in 2019 and her …
Global production of tangerines/mandarins, grapefruit and lemons/limes is expected to climb in 2023–24, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) reported in its Citrus: World Markets and Trade publication. TANGERINES/MANDARINS Global tangerine/mandarin production for 2023–24 is estimated up 1.2 million tons to 38.2 million tons. Here are expectations for major producing countries: GRAPEFRUIT Global grapefruit production in …
The Orange Focus Group of the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa (CGA) on July 23 cut its projections for navel and Valencia orange exports in the 2024 season. NAVELS The projected number of 15-kilogram cartons of navel orange exports is now 21 million. That continues the downward trajectory that was started in May when the season-opening estimate of 25.7 …
