Different formulations of zinc applied by foliar spray increase fruit yield by reducing fruit drop in Hamlin and Valencia oranges, according to horticulturist Fernando Alferez. In some cases, he said, potassium enhances the beneficial effects of zinc. Alferez is a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) associate professor at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center …
Frequent Irrigation Is Critical for HLB-Affected Trees
By Tripti Vashisth and Mary Sutton HLB-affected trees have small and weak root systems. These trees often experience water and nutrient deficit. However, not all HLB-affected trees experience the same impact. Trees with severe HLB symptoms will have higher root loss and water deficit than trees with mild HLB symptoms. The water deficit exacerbates during spring, which is often the …
Psyllid Capture Rate Decreases in Brazil
The capture of greening-spreading psyllids in traps in the Brazilian Citrus Belt states of São Paulo (SP) and Triângulo Sudoeste Mineiro dropped 41% in 2024 compared to 2023. The data is part of a survey carried out biweekly by Fundecitrus and made available on the Psyllid Alert platform. The average capture recorded in 2023 was 2.23 psyllids per trap, compared …
Crop Transformation Center in Full Swing
By J. Scott Angle, jangle@ufl.edu, @IFAS_VP About 18 months ago, Matt Joyner, Kyle Story, Morgan McKenna Porter, Emery Smith and other Florida citrus leaders visited me in Gainesville. Together, we shaped an idea to accelerate our search for solutions to HLB. The idea is already reality. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Crop Transformation Center …
Lessons From Oxytetracycline Injection Trials
By Ute Albrecht, Carol Tardivo, Gabriel Pugina, Larissa Nunes, Jasmine de Freitas and Gerardo Moreno Since the approval of oxytetracycline (OTC) injection to manage citrus greening (huanglongbing, HLB) in Florida, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) plant physiology team at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center (SWFREC) has completed various research trials with multiple …
Oxytetracycline Efficacy Impacted by Exposure to Field Conditions
By Lauren Fessler Mathews, Sanju Kunwar, Ana Redondo and Ozgur Batuman Based on numerous research studies conducted by scientists at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), it has been proven that injections of oxytetracycline (OTC) can help to alleviate symptoms caused by huanglongbing (HLB) disease. This treatment is now widely practiced and crucial for preventing …
Citrus Greening, Production and Plantings in Brazil
The recent U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) annual report on Brazilian citrus included updates on citrus greening disease, production and planted area. CITRUS GREENING The report noted that new chemicals and practices have been developed to fight citrus greening, a major cause of recent production declines. Those chemicals and practices include a natural repellent called caryophyllene, …
Florida Citrus Decline: Frustrations and Solutions
A recent Florida TaxWatch report detailed the reasons for the decline of the Florida citrus industry. The report also described frustrations with efforts to combat citrus greening and suggested solutions for the industry’s decline. Edited excerpts from that portion of the report follow: Prominent citrus growers stated they are still optimistic about the future as many citrus entities are investing …
Top Priorities: HLB Resistance and Hurricane Recovery
With 2024 in the rear view mirror, we asked leaders of key citrus organizations what their priorities are for this year. Here’s what they had to say. TREE OF THE FUTURE “For the last 2.5 years, our research strategy at the Citrus Research and Development Foundation has been to kill the bacteria that causes HLB — Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) …
Weathering the HLB Storm
Specialty crop growers might be aware of the disease sweeping through Florida’s citrus industry. Its impact has been tremendous and has tested the survival of the state’s signature crop. This year will mark the 20th anniversary of the official confirmation of citrus greening disease (also known as huanglongbing or HLB) in Florida. In the past two decades, the state’s output …
Experimental Citrus Tree Kills Young Psyllids
Scientists at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) are testing a new type of citrus tree that can fight off the HLB-spreading Asian citrus psyllid (ACP). The genetically modified tree has only been tested in the lab and the greenhouse but is very promising as a potential solution to HLB. The approach involves inserting a …
International Project Arms Citrus Industry Against HLB
Australia’s New South Wales (NSW) Government has partnered with the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research and Hort Innovation to prepare the citrus industry against huanglongbing (HLB). Although widespread in Asia and found in North and South America, HLB is not known to be present in Australia. The psyllid that spreads HLB is also absent from Australia. A collaborative research …
Psyllid Insecticides Effective in Brazil’s New Citrus Regions
Citrus growing is migrating to additional areas in Brazil, such as the Triângulo Mineiro region, the northwest of of São Paulo and Mato Grosso do Sul. For this reason, Fundecitrus began testing insecticides in these areas and observed that some products, to which the HLB-spreading psyllid is often resistant, performed well in the initial evaluation. Fundecitrus researcher Marcelo Miranda said …
Planting Layout Reduces HLB-Spreading Psyllids
A Brazilian study has shown that planting citrus plots parallel to the property boundary reduced HLB-spreading psyllids 12% to 23% compared to plots planted perpendicular to the property boundary. Fundecitrus conducted the study. The São Paulo Research Foundation co-financed it in partnership with Embrapa. Another study conclusion is related to the impact of planting density on border plots. Fundecitrus researcher …
Controls Needed to Effectively Evaluate Treated Trees
By Ute Albrecht, Gabriel Pugina and Caroline Tardivo Two years have passed since trunk injection of oxytetracycline (OTC) was approved for HLB management in Florida. Many growers have adopted this technology. While most reported positive responses, others did not. The plant physiology team at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Southwest Florida Research and Education …
Root Recovery Precedes Production Gains
Sponsored Content In this special series, Tom Johnson, owner of TJ BioTech, tackles questions about optimizing trunk-injection applications to treat HLB. Q: There have been some mixed results from OTC injections depending on geography within Florida. Is the citrus industry in Florida experiencing a recovery from the effects of HLB or not? Tom Johnson: Since the release of ReMedium TI® …
Progress Being Made in HLB Fight
Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientists led by Kranthi Mandadi are seeking novel solutions to huanglongbing (HLB), also known as citrus greening disease. Mandadi is a professor in the Texas A&M Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology and a researcher at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Weslaco. In the past few years, he and his collaborators have …
Fundecitrus Signs Agreement Seeking HLB Solutions
Nelson Wulff of Fundecitrus recently signed a technical cooperation agreement between Fundecitrus and the National Center of Genetic Resources (Cenargen/Embrapa) for a project to develop biotechnological solutions for HLB. Wulff, coordinator of the Fundecitrus Biotechnology and Diagnostics Laboratory, signed the agreement at the 50th anniversary ceremony of Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology in Brazil. Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology has …
Making the Most of ReMedium TI® Injections
Sponsored Content In this special series, Tom Johnson, owner of TJ BioTech, tackles questions about optimizing trunk-injection applications to treat HLB. Q: How do I get the best performance out of my ReMedium TI® injections? Tom Johnson: Getting the most out of your ReMedium TI® injections begins by properly evaluating individual tree size and tree health. While that may sound …
Improving ACP and HLB Control in Residential Settings
By Romain Exilien and Xavier Martini Residential gardens serve as reservoirs for Asian citrus psyllids (ACP) and citrus greening disease (also known as huanglongbing or HLB) due to unmanaged citrus trees. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) conducted a survey to assess residents’ needs regarding ACP and HLB management. The survey examined their current control …