A lot goes into a piece of citrus fruit. Down to the molecular level, there’s millions of compounds that make up Florida’s signature crop. Researchers at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) are exploring the genetic building blocks of citrus to learn how individual compounds can be used to enhance the fruit. Those applications might …
Old Variety Gets a New Look
The Parson Brown is an early-season sweet orange that J.L. Carney identified in 1875. By the 1920s, the variety had become a popular cultivar among growers, but eventually plantings declined as Hamlin became the go-to selection for the early season. However, because of its apparent tolerance to HLB, Parson Brown is again stirring interest among growers. Manjul Dutt, assistant professor …
All In For Citrus Podcast, January 2023
The January All In For Citrus podcast kicks off 2023 with a recap of a recent citrus program on gibberellic acid as well as a preview of a host of upcoming events. Michael Rogers, director of the Citrus Research and Education Center, provides details on the various seminars scheduled on topics ranging from trunk injection to the new and improved …
Hurricanes Complicate Citrus Flowering
In the latest episode of the All In For Citrus podcast, Tripti Vashisth discusses the citrus flower bud advisory system. The service is provided by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). The advisories on flowering generally start before Thanksgiving and run through the end of February or early March. “The goal of the flower bud …
Preparing for Freezing Temperatures
With temperatures plummeting over Christmas weekend, the latest episode of the All In For Citrus podcast is well timed. Chris Oswalt, a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus Extension agent covering Polk and Hillsborough counties, joined the podcast to discuss tips on preparing for freeze events. Oswalt encouraged growers to find a reliable source of …
All In For Citrus Podcast, December 2022
The December All In For Citrus podcast includes a discussion with Michael Rogers, director of the Citrus Research and Education Center, about ongoing efforts growers are making to rehabilitate citrus groves after Hurricanes Ian and Nicole. Rogers also addressed some longer-term research being conducted by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) to develop trees that …
New Dollars Flow to Citrus Research Projects
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) recently received a large grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Michael Rogers provided details of the grant totaling $16.5 million during the latest All In For Citrus podcast. Rogers is the director of the Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) in …
Studying Tree Damage From Hurricane Winds
In the latest All In For Citrus podcast, Christopher Vincent, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) assistant professor of tree ecophysiology, discussed a project he is working on in the wake of this season’s hurricanes. He has been tasked to work with growers to survey damage after the storms, specifically how winds harmed groves. Hurricane Ian …
All In For Citrus Podcast, November 2022
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) recently received a large grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Michael Rogers provides details of the $16.5 million grant during the November All In For Citrus podcast. Rogers is the director of the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake …
Gibberellic Acid May Help Citrus Trees After a Hurricane
In the latest episode of the All In For Citrus podcast, ways to mitigate damage from Hurricane Ian are discussed by researchers from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). While extensively damaged trees are likely lost, those that experienced less damage can be helped in the recovery process. Tripti Vashisth, UF/IFAS associate professor of horticultural …
Post-Hurricane Disease Management Advice
Megan Dewdney, associate professor of plant pathology with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), joined the October All In For Citrus podcast to discuss Hurricane Ian and tips on disease management after the storm. Hurricanes weaken citrus trees and spread disease. “If a tree has a full canopy, the wind will put a lot of …
All In For Citrus Podcast, October 2022
The October All In For Citrus podcast focuses on Hurricane Ian and its impact on the state’s signature crop. The storm tore a path across Florida’s citrus-growing regions, causing hundreds of millions of dollars in damage. Michael Rogers, director of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center, provides details on how …
A Conversation With SWFREC’s Director
Editor’s note: The September All In For Citrus podcast was recorded prior to Hurricane Ian’s impact on Florida. During the September All In For Citrus Podcast, Michael Burton discussed his recent move to Florida to become the new center director of the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center (SWFREC). Burton provided details on his background and shared his research priorities …
Addressing the Imidacloprid Shortage
Imidacloprid has been a key tool in the fight against HLB. The insecticide is particularly important in protecting young trees from the Asian citrus psyllid, the vector of HLB disease. Admire Pro SLN is currently labeled to treat young citrus trees for HLB. But a fire at the Bayer manufacturing facility where the product is made has disrupted supplies. During …
All In For Citrus Podcast, September 2022
As the 2022 citrus harvest gets underway, All In For Citrus podcast host Frank Giles catches up with the directors of three University of Florida Institute of Food Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) research and education centers. The directors discuss how the citrus crop is looking in their areas as well as key research projects underway at their facilities. Michael Rogers, director …
All In For Citrus Podcast, August 2022
The August episode of the All In For Citrus podcast takes listeners on a deep dive into the use of plant growth regulators like gibberellic acid (GA) to help fight fruit drop. The episode features an in-depth conversation between Michael Rogers, director of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center, and …
Microbiology and Microbes: The Key to Boosting Citrus Productivity
Whether a citrus grove is thriving or not is often based on what is observed above the ground. However, the best measurement of fertility comes from what’s happening below ground—in the soil microbiology. There is a complex community of living organisms, everything from worms and insects to tree roots. One of the most important elements is soil microbes. Soil microbes …
Hear What’s on Tap for the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo
The Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo is set for Aug. 17–18 in North Fort Myers, Florida. The event, held at the Lee Civic Center, will be a flurry of activity as citrus and specialty crop growers come together to learn, network and see the latest tools of the trade in farming. The latest episode of the All In For Citrus …
All In For Citrus Podcast, July 2022
This month’s All In For Citrus podcast focuses on the upcoming Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo scheduled for Aug. 17–18 at the Lee Civic Center in North Fort Myers, Florida. Michael Rogers, director of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center, said the university’s citrus research team worked hard to develop …
Pay Attention to pH for Best Nutrient Uptake
There 17 essential elements that plants need to grow. Three of those elements come to plants via water and the atmosphere. The 14 other elements come from fertilizer applications. Almost all of those are dependent on soil pH to determine how well they are picked up by plants’ root systems. Getting the soil pH just right was discussed in the …