Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) Director Michael Rogers previews the Nov. 16 Open House/Field Day at the CREC in Lake Alfred. The CREC is part of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). The program will begin at 9 a.m. “It starts off with a panel discussion, talking about strategies to improve overall health of …
All In For Citrus Podcast, October 2021
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus breeding team discusses development of new varieties and rootstocks in the October episode of the All In For Citrus podcast. But before that discussion begins, Michael Rogers, UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) director, has the details on two upcoming events, including one in which growers can …
All In For Citrus Podcast Has Big HLB News
The September episode of the All In For Citrus podcast is a special edition focused on one subject. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers have identified a breakthrough treatment for huanglongbing (HLB) that greatly reduces the effects of the disease. Michael Rogers, director of the Citrus Research and Education Center, said a lot of UF/IFAS …
Hurricane Preparation and Recovery: Key Points
Multi-county citrus Extension agent Ajia Paolillo recently suggested ways to prepare for and recover from a hurricane. Hurricane season began June 1 and ends Nov. 30. Paolillo said hurricane activity is usually most prevalent from August to October. She cited an August update from the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration predicting 15 to 21 tropical storms this summer, with 7 …
Missed Expo? You Can Catch Up!
If you missed Citrus Expo Aug. 18-19 and the great production information available at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) booth, you can now access it online. Posters and videos that were available at the booth are now on the UF/IFAS Citrus Research website. Click on “Presentations,” then “Citrus Expo Presentations,” then “2021 Citrus Expo.” …
All In For Citrus Podcast, August 2021
This month’s All In For Citrus Podcast gives growers valuable advice for dealing with hurricanes and tropical storms. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) team describes how to prepare for and recover from these weather events, as well as the impacts they can have on Florida’s economy. Before getting to the information about storms, the …
Chilli Thrips a Potential Problem in CUPS
A modified way of producing citrus in Florida to protect against the Asian citrus psyllid may provide shelter for another pest — chilli thrips. Citrus under protective screen (CUPS) production systems protect against the psyllid and the huanglongbing (HLB) disease the pest transmits. However, according to University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) entomologist Lauren Diepenbrock, the …
Help Trees Handle Heat
Florida citrus production can be significantly impacted during the summertime heat. High temperatures with little to no rainfall can affect trees’ vegetative growth, fruit set and fruit quality, says Amir Rezazadeh, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) multi-county fruit and field crops agent. Heat is a factor that can cause citrus trees to become significantly dehydrated. …
All In For Citrus Podcast, July 2021
A pest problem in citrus under protective screen (CUPS), heat stress guidance, and Citrus Expo news headline the July episode of the All In For Citrus podcast. Citrus Research and Education Center Director Michael Rogers begins the episode with an overview of the seminars at this year’s Citrus Expo. He said his University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural …
All In For Citrus Podcast, June 2021
This month’s All In for Citrus Podcast details the results and benefits growers are getting from the citrus nutrition box program. Before hearing from the coordinators of the program, Citrus Research and Education Center Director Michael Rogers shares updates on key events coming up this summer for the industry. The first is the Citrus, Vegetable and Specialty Crop Expo in …
Partnership Advances Citrus Variety Work
Citrus studies are advancing in groves across Florida thanks to growers willing to collaborate and share their land with researchers. This type of partnership is rare and does not form overnight. Citrus grower Tom Hammond and University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus breeder and geneticist Fred Gmitter are a prime example of a dynamic partnership. …
All In For Citrus Podcast, May 2021
It takes strong partnerships between the citrus industry and researchers to make advancements toward issues facing growers. This month’s All In For Citrus podcast details the importance of those partnerships, highlighting one special relationship that has been critical to variety development. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center Director Michael Rogers begins …
Updating Guidelines for New Plantings
Researchers at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) are taking a whole-systems approach to update current recommendations for new plantings. A research project, “Establishing Healthy Citrus Plantings in the Face of Persistent HLB Pressure,” is led by UF/IFAS entomologist Lauren Diepenbrock. According to Diepenbrock, current guidelines were created pre-HLB and therefore are out of date …
All In For Citrus Podcast, April 2021
A whole-systems approach to one University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) research project is the focus of the April All in For Citrus podcast. Citrus Research and Education Center Director Michael Rogers said the project is a good example of citrus researchers taking a more comprehensive look at problems in the industry. “We’re starting to put …
All In For Citrus Podcast, March 2021
March’s All In For Citrus podcast brings news of in-person events, details on controlling the vector of HLB disease, as well as potential changes to nutrient and water management recommendations. Citrus Research and Education Center Director Michael Rogers begins the episode discussing several upcoming events for growers. On April 6, the Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute will return as a virtual …
Field Trials for Cultivar Evaluation; Soil and Root Health
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus researchers are collaborating on ground-breaking research projects to fight against HLB. They are working with researchers at the University of California-Riverside (UC-Riverside), Texas A&M and Washington State University on a project to field-test new citrus cultivars for tolerance or resistance to HLB. The research is funded by the U.S. …
Could Finger Limes Be Florida’s Hero?
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 …
UF/IFAS Citrus Position; Upcoming Grower Meetings
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 …
All In For Citrus Podcast, February 2021
February’s All In For Citrus podcast brings good news about a new faculty position, an upcoming in-person meeting and Australian finger limes projects to battle HLB and keep growers profitable. After more than a year in the making, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) plans to add a new faculty member in citrus horticulture. Citrus …
Shade for HLB Trees Means More Yield
Like all photosynthetic plants, citrus trees need light to produce food. But in Florida, groves located in full sun sometimes receive more light energy than they can make use of, causing photosynthesis to slow down. When this happens, the trees invest their energy in protecting their leaves from sun damage, meaning the trees have less food available for fruit protection. …