citrus greening

Use More Micronutrients for HLB

Ernie NeffNutrition

HLB-affected citrus trees benefit from micronutrients at higher-than-recommended rates, Tripti Vashisth reported in a virtual Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute presentation. Vashisth, a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researcher, said that a 20 percent higher-than-recommended rate of micronutrients can improve productivity in trees with HLB. The Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute is normally held in Avon Park in …

HLB

Genetics and Nutrition Are the ‘Way Forward’

Ernie NeffNutrition

“The combination of improved scion/rootstock genetics and optimized nutrition is clearly the way forward” for Florida’s HLB-stricken citrus industry, Jude Grosser declared in a Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute virtual presentation. Grosser is a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences plant breeder. The Growers’ Institute is normally held in April but was cancelled this year due to COVID-19. …

Nutrition: Get the Rate Right

Ernie NeffNutrition

Davie Kadyampakeni emphasized the importance of the four Rs of good nutrition of HLB-affected orange trees, with a heavy focus on the “right rate” of nutrient use. The other three Rs are right time, right placement and right source of nutrient applications. Kadyampakeni, a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researcher, discussed nutrition at this year’s virtual …

HLB Brings Nutrition Guideline Changes

Ernie NeffHLB Management, Nutrition

An updated nutrition guide from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) provides new information for properly fertilizing HLB-impacted trees. Nutrition of Florida Citrus Trees, 3rd Edition was updated by researchers Kelly Morgan and Davie Kadyampakeni. Morgan, director of the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, says growers have been requesting an update of the guide …

soil

Nutrition and Rootstocks to Be Studied

Ernie NeffNutrition

Seventeen researchers have responded to the Citrus Research and Development Foundation’s (CRDF) request for very specific citrus nutrition research, the organization’s board of directors learned May 19. CRDF Chief Operating Officer Rick Dantzler said several advisory groups will review the proposals prior to the CRDF board choosing and funding selected proposals no later than September. The research requested by CRDF …

florida all

Nutrients for the Grove: A Nurseryman’s Tips

Ernie NeffNutrition

By Aaron Himrod Good nursery growers are constantly monitoring their nutrition levels to produce well-nourished plants. While a grove owner cannot employ the same intensity of nutritional control as in an enclosed structure with consistent plant media, the principles apply in the field just as much in the nursery. A steady supply of comprehensive nutrition in the appropriate balance is needed …

Research on Water and Nutrient Retention

Ernie NeffNutrition, Research, Water

New research is using repurposed straw to create a tool that can help crops retain water and nutrients. Gang Chen, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at the Florida A&M University-Florida State University College of Engineering, led the research. It uses straw left over from processing crops like rice, wheat and corn to produce hydrogels. Hydrogels are molecules that …

nutrition

Citrus Research and Development Foundation Updates

Ernie NeffCRDF, Nutrition

The Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) agreed March 24 to seek very focused research projects that will answer growers’ questions about proper nutrition in the face of HLB. The questions were formulated by CRDF’s Nutrition Working Group, a panel of growers, scientists and others. FOCUS ON NUTRITION “We know it’s (nutrition) important and we have to get it right …

Effect of Planting Density and Enhanced Nutrition on Grapefruit

Tacy CalliesNutrition

By Rhuanito Soranz Ferrarezi, Dinesh Phuyal, Davie Kadyampakeni and Kelly Morgan The Indian River District is the world’s premier grapefruit production region due to a warm, ocean-facing humid climate and Flatwoods soils. The geographical location leads to the production of fruit with thin rinds and exceptional juice and color that has been a high-value export delicacy in Europe and Asia. …

Root Hair Enhancement With Low Phosphorus Concentrations

Tacy CalliesNutrition

By Laura Waldo and Arnold Schumann It has been the accepted belief for many years that citrus varieties and rootstocks do not develop root hairs. However, research has shown that root hair growth can be stimulated when soil phosphorus (P) concentrations are extremely low. It is possible that in Florida, citrus roots could fail to produce root hairs due to …

Nutrition: No One Size Fits All

Tacy CalliesNutrition, Research

By Tripti Vashisth Constant supply and soil application of macronutrients and micronutrients can improve the health and productivity of HLB-affected citrus. A 20 to 50 percent higher than University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) recommended rate of micronutrients is beneficial for HLB-affected trees. However, the nutrition program should be customized for each grove, as no one …

citrus

Citrus Nutrition Box Program Yielding Results

Daniel CooperHLB Management, Industry News Release, Nutrition

(UF/IFAS) — A recent program encouraging Florida citrus growers to learn more about the nutrient management of their groves is yielding promising results. Nearly 200 growers and industry representatives attended four workshops in late 2019 to learn about the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Nutrition Box program. UF/IFAS faculty distributed 117 free boxes of …

nutrition

Nutrition Questions in Need of Answers

Ernie NeffNutrition

A sheet of “Nutrient Management Concept Questions” was passed out at the January Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) board meeting in Fort Pierce. It included questions that growers and researchers have agreed need to be answered in future nutrition-related research funded by CRDF. Rick Dantzler, CRDF chief operating officer, explains how the questions were developed. “We had a Nutrition …

nutrition

Nutrition Sampling Program Update

Ernie NeffNutrition

Approximately 110 Florida citrus growers picked up nutrition sampling kits they’ll use to help ensure their groves are receiving proper nutrition this season. The kits are part of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Nutrition Management Program launched this fall. The kits provide growers everything they need to collect four leaf samples and one …

Nutrition: What Growers Want to Know

Ernie NeffNutrition

A group of growers, production managers and researchers hopes to ensure future nutrition research funded by the Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) answers grower questions about nutrition. The dozen-plus members of CRDF’s Nutrition Working Group held their first meeting Oct. 30 at the Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred. The panel is about evenly split between grower …

nutrition

Nutrition and Fruit Display Meetings Met With Success

Ernie NeffNutrition

Grower turnout at recent citrus nutrition meetings and a fruit display exceeded University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) expectations, says Michael Rogers. Rogers, director of the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC), also provides an update on the search for a new member of the UF/IFAS plant breeding team. Rogers says attendance at meetings where …

More on the UF Citrus Nutrition Program

Ernie NeffAll In For Citrus Podcast, Nutrition

At Citrus Expo, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) introduced a new Citrus Nutrition Program to help growers ensure their trees are getting the proper nutrition. Tripti Vashisth, UF/IFAS horticulturist at the Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC), provides more information about the effort. “We have learned the past few years that citrus nutrition can …

Grower Appreciates Nutrition Test Kit

Ernie NeffNutrition

Lake Wales citrus grower Marshall Hartley left a recent meeting at the Citrus Research and Education Center with a box containing nutrition sampling materials for his small grove. His was one of 31 boxes passed out as part of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences’ (UF/IFAS) Citrus Nutrition Management Program. More growers will pick up boxes …

nutrition

Nutrition Kits to Help Citrus Growers

Daniel CooperIndustry News Release, Nutrition

Florida’s citrus growers can soon get additional help in managing citrus greening through the newly developed University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Nutrition Program. The basis for the program is to improve the overall health and productivity of citrus groves affected by citrus greening disease by refining production practices; in particular, adjusting fertilization programs. Growers …

podcast

Nutrient Sampling to Be Funded by UF/IFAS

Ernie NeffNutrition

A University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) official announced at Citrus Expo that UF/IFAS will fund “starter kits” for nutrient sampling. Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) Director Michael Rogers says the kits will allow for leaf and soil sampling in a 20-acre block for a year. Growers can get the starter kits at meetings slated …