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Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Irrigation”
Increased rainfall across the cold-hardy citrus region is a sight for sore eyes. Still, citrus growers in South Georgia, North Florida and South Alabama must stay on top of their trees’ water needs to help ensure a viable crop this season. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, spoke on this subject at the recent …
The next harvest season may still be months away for Florida citrus growers, but management remains a weekly duty. That involves a plethora of chores for grove owners this summer, says Matt Smith, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension agent for Lake and Orange counties. “Growers definitely need to keep irrigation in mind. And of course, …
Microjet irrigation is the top method of freeze protection for citrus trees, but its effectiveness is only realized if growers perform proper maintenance of the sprinklers before a cold event occurs. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, emphasized that fact during the Georgia-Florida Irrigation Expo on June 10. Sutton said growers should treat their …
Microjet sprinklers provide the most effective way for producers in the cold-hardy citrus region to protect their trees from freeze damage. Microjet irrigation is even more effective than drip irrigation and overhead irrigation. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, stressed that point during the recent Georgia-Florida Irrigation Expo at the UGA Vidalia Onion and …
After significant drought in many parts of Florida, some much-needed rainfall began in May as the rainy season approaches. That seasonal transition, from a grove management perspective, is the focus of the May episode of the All In For Citrus podcast. Michael Rogers, director of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education …
By Tripti Vashisth and Taylor Livingston Florida is currently experiencing one of the most severe droughts in the past 25 years, putting HLB-affected trees under intense water stress. With Florida’s well-draining sandy soils and increased water demand in HLB-affected trees, growers are in a difficult position trying to maintain adequate tree hydration. Soil amendments, such as biochar and compost, can …
Water management is a major challenge facing agriculture in California and other dry regions. A new University of California Riverside (UCR) system can map soil moisture tree by tree, so growers water only where and when it’s needed. The system, detailed in the journal Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, is the work of Elia Scudiero’s research group. Scudiero is associate …
In the March episode of the All In For Citrus podcast, Tripti Vashisth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center assistant director, discusses demands that the recent freeze and ongoing drought have been putting on trees. Both factors heighten the importance of irrigation and fertilization. Vashisth notes the freeze knocked a lot …
Edwin A. Gutierrez-Rodriguez and Jonael Bosques, both with University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension, recently explained why patience is an important post-freeze tree management strategy. Following are highlights from the article they wrote. After Florida’s recent freeze event, a common question citrus growers were asking was: “What should I do to recover the trees?” The …
Irrigation and fertilizer applications are important management tools for Florida citrus growers following the recent freeze event in late January/early February. Davie Kadyampakeni, associate professor in soil, water and ecosystem sciences at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), discussed both facets of tree maintenance during a postfreeze webinar hosted by the UF/IFAS Citrus Team. Key …
A lack of adequate soil moisture could make an already challenging situation for Florida citrus growers worse. It is imperative that producers keep applying irrigation amid any prolonged dry period, says Chris Oswalt, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus agent. Oswalt noted that many citrus-producing regions in Florida have had little, if any, rain in …
By Davie Kadyampakeni, Alisheikh Atta, Jonas Pereira de Souza Junior, Christopher Vincent and Tripti Vashisth Typically, citrus water requirements are low in the winter and spring due to cooler temperatures but peak in summer and early fall due to rising temperatures. Thus, improved irrigation management is critical in these times of the year for improved production. Because most citrus trees …
By Edwin Gutierrez-Rodriguez and Bosques Jonael Efficient water use in citrus production, like other fruit tree crops, goes far beyond simply turning on the irrigation system. It’s a strategic practice that affects tree health, fruit quality and long-term sustainability, making it a smart agricultural practice. Some key tips to optimize your water management are: Remember, water is also a signal, …
By Davie M. Kadyampakeni and Alisheikh A. Atta The conventional four Rs for nutrient management are right source, right place, right rate and right time. This approach allows growers to synchronize nutrient supply with crop demand, enhance tree health and fruit yield, and abate economic costs and environmental losses. In contemporary farming systems in Florida citrus production, considering a fifth R …
One of the themes that emerged during the citrus seminars at the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo was that integration of multiple strategies is needed to keep HLB-infected trees productive. Davie Kadyampakeni’s talk detailed the five Rs of sustainable citrus production in the era of HLB. Kadyampakeni is an associate professor at the University of Florida Institute of Food and …
By Sandra M. Guzmán and Amir Rezazadeh During Florida’s rainy and hurricane season, accurate water management becomes even more critical for citrus growers. Soil moisture sensors (SMSs) can be used as a baseline tool for making informed irrigation decisions. But to get reliable readings, it is critical to choose, install and use them correctly. WHERE TO INSTALL Proper SMS placement …
The current dry period in the Southeast can negatively impact the region’s citrus groves. Trees in the cold-hardy citrus region of North Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama need water, especially ahead of the next harvest season. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, discussed why water is so important this time of year. “Water …
By Davie Kadyampakeni, Kondwani Kamsikiri and Alisheikh Atta Water scarcity is one of the major constraints in Florida citrus production systems, primarily due to erratic rainfall patterns and the low water- and nutrient-holding capacity of the predominantly sandy soils. The state’s soils contain more than 95% sand and have low organic matter (<1%) and very low water-holding capacity. These challenges …
By Tripti Vashisth and Prudhvi Vulchi To mitigate the effects of huanglongbing (HLB) on tree health and productivity, growers are encouraged to adopt proven horticultural practices. Based on recent field trials at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC), one effective approach combines frequent irrigation (FI), plant growth regulators (PGRs) …
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 …
