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By Muhammad A. Shahid, KeAndre Leaks and Davie M. Kadyampakeni Right after a freeze, you may notice new growth turning black and leaves hardening, yellowing or looking water-soaked. About a week after a severe freeze, leaves may start to curl and turn brown. Leaves and fruits may begin to drop. Do not attempt any recovery treatments immediately after a freeze. …
By Fernando Alferez, Divya Aryal and Saoussen Ben Abdallah University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) research in the last three years has found that the combined use of individual protective covers (IPCs) and brassinosteroids (BRs) enhances protection of citrus trees against HLB and other diseases that limit citrus production in Florida. The research has been conducted …
The first federal forecast of the 2025–26 citrus season, issued Jan. 12, calls for continued decreased production of Florida oranges and grapefruit. The Florida lemon forecast increased and exceeds the state’s tangerine/mandarin forecast, which is flat. Other citrus-producing states are also included in the forecast, which was issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). FLORIDA …
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently issued a directive about its research and development priorities. The priorities, which cite citrus greening in item 3, are: 1. INCREASING PROFITABILITY OF FARMERS AND RANCHERS While research to increase productivity has allowed American farmers and ranchers to provide the safest, most abundant and most affordable food and fiber supply, the volatility in …
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS) recently forecast production and trade for South African oranges and orange juice (OJ) in 2025–26. ORANGES South Africa’s 2025–26 orange production is forecast to increase by 1% from 2024–25, to 1,850 million metric tons (MMT). The orange planted area is projected to increase by 2% in 2025–26, reaching 46,000 hectares. Valencias …
The urgency to find a solution to huanglongbing (HLB), also known as citrus greening disease, is why citrus is an initial focus of Florida’s Crop Transformation Center (CTC). The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and the state’s citrus industry established the center three years ago. Through the CTC, faculty at the main UF campus in …
Agriculture officials have expanded the areas quarantined for citrus greening disease (known as huanglongbing or HLB) in California. The quarantined area in the Corona area of Riverside County was expanded by 37 square miles. The San Juan Capistrano quarantined area of Orange County was expanded by 18 square miles. The actions were taken by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal …
The United Nations is recognizing 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF), aiming to spotlight the contributions of women in agriculture and agribusiness. The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) and 15 other U.S. members of an IYWF working group are collaborating to elevate this initiative on several fronts. Their efforts include the launch of an information hub …
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) projects Peruvian tangerine/mandarin production in 2025–26 at 570,000 metric tons (MT), the same as the prior year. VARIETIES Tangerine/mandarin varieties in Peru include: The market for exports is dominated by easy peelers and seedless varieties including Murcott, Tango, Primosole, Clementine, Minneola and Orri. Peru’s main harvest season runs from March …
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) has forecast China’s orange and orange juice (OJ) production and trade levels for the 2025–26 season. ORANGES China’s orange production is forecast at 7.68 million metric tons (MMT), up slightly from the prior season’s 7.62 MMT. Oranges are grown on 816,500 hectares. China is expected to import 161,000 MT of …
A recent article provides estimates for the performance of Valencia orange grafted on new hybrid citrus rootstock cultivars developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS). These estimates can help growers decide which rootstocks to plant in HLB-endemic regions. Authors of the article are Ariel Singerman of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), …
Cold-hardy citrus in the Southeast endured sub-freezing temperatures in mid-December, the second major freeze to impact the region this season. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, discussed how this freeze impacted citrus trees and fruit in North Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama. “We’re seeing some damage on younger trees that were probably planted …
Argentina’s lemon production for 2025–26 is projected to remain steady at 1.9 million metric tons (MMT) by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS). That projection is supported by mild weather conditions throughout the growing cycle. Lemon production in 2024–25 was 1.91 MMT. IMPROVEMENTS AND CHALLENGES Over the past decade, the Argentine lemon sector has benefited from …
The December All In For Citrus podcast episode includes Muhammad Shahid, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) assistant professor at the North Florida Research and Education Center. He discusses winter preparations for the cold-hardy citrus region. For an area where freezes are common, these are important considerations. In addition to preparing for the cold, Shahid shares …
By Lauren Diepenbrock Pest management is a year-round challenge in Florida citrus. But with knowledge of insect, mite and snail seasonal biology in relation to tree phenology, plans can be developed to protect fruit and maintain productive citrus trees. Populations of some highly problematic pests (Asian citrus psyllid and citrus leafminer) generally increase with flush/new growth development, so targeting peak …
Chinese researchers have delved into the complex interactions between transcription processes and metabolism in sweet orange plants deficient in boron. Boron deficiency can lead to reduced yields and compromised fruit quality. Authors of the research are Xiuyao Yang, Ke Wen, Xiujia Yang, Mengjie Zhang, Ling Zhu, Yinqiang Zi, Tuo Yin, Xulin Li, Xiaozhen Liu and Hanyao Zhang, all with the …
The Florida Citrus Commission’s (FCC) Global Marketing Committee in December provided an update on all Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) marketing programs. The FCC, appointed by Florida’s governor, is the FDOC’s governing board. ORANGE JUICE Marketing programs for orange juice (OJ) included ongoing activities with the Tampa Bay Lightning and a media event held in New York City on Dec. …
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) recently established and expanded Mexican fruit fly (Mexfly) quarantine areas in Texas. PEÑITAS QUARANTINE On Dec. 12, the agencies established a Mexfly quarantine in Peñitas, Hidalgo County, designated as the Peñitas quarantine. This quarantine was established in response to the confirmed …
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) recently announced the pending retirement of multi-county citrus Extension agent Chris Oswalt. Oswalt has been the agent for Polk and Hillsborough counties for decades. Michael Rogers, UF/IFAS statewide citrus research and Extension coordinator, said Oswalt “has faithfully served and greatly benefited numerous growers, researchers and his fellow Extension agents.” …
Noting that magnesium (Mg) deficiency is a problem in Florida citrus, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) offers the following information about its symptoms, cause and solutions. SYMPTOMS AND CAUSE Trees with inadequate Mg supply have no symptoms in the new spring flush, but leaf symptoms will develop as the leaves age and the fruit …
