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Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Research”
Freezing temperatures remain one of the biggest threats to citrus production, especially in Florida and other regions where sudden cold snaps can severely damage trees. New research suggests that seaweed-based biostimulants may help citrus trees better withstand freezing conditions. The study was published in Scientific Reports. It was led by Ahmed Abdullah, Shahid Iqbal, Alaiha Asif, KeAndre Leaks and Muhammad …
How much water citrus trees receive during fruit development can have a major impact on fruit size and internal quality, according to new research published in the journal Horticulturae. The study shows that while moderate water stress may improve some aspects of fruit quality, severe drought significantly reduces fruit size and can make fruit much more acidic. Researchers in China …
Citrus peel has long been viewed as a byproduct of juice processing, often ending up as animal feed or compost. New research suggests it may deserve much more attention. Scientists found that pectin extracted from citrus peel has excellent functional properties that could increase its value for use in food, beverage and pharmaceutical products. The study was published in the …
A new systematic review, “Assessing the Value of Sustainability in the Citrus Supply Chain,” published in the journal Sustainability examines whether going green actually makes financial sense for citrus producers. Researchers Mariaconcetta Ganci, Mariarita Cammarata and Alessandro Scuderi from the University of Catania in Italy, along with Adriana Fazio of Colleroni LLC led the study. The research team analyzed 64 …
Postharvest diseases such as green mold (Penicillium digitatum), blue mold (P. italicum) and sour rot (Geotrichum citri-aurantii) cause heavy losses in citrus crops. These fungi thrive in warm, humid regions and have developed resistance to common fungicides such as imazalil, thiabendazole and pyrimethanil, driving up costs and raising environmental and regulatory concerns. A new study offers hope using a simple, …
A naturally occurring predatory soil mite may one day become another tool for helping citrus growers manage citrus nematodes without relying solely on chemical controls. That’s according to a new study published in the journal Biology by Mahmoud M. Al-Azzazy and Suloiman M. Al-Rehiayani of the Department of Plant Protection, College of Agriculture and Food at Qassim University in Saudi …
A new study published in the journal PLOS One suggests that higher vitamin C levels in the blood are associated with healthier brain structure and stronger brain network connectivity in older adults. The research provides another reminder of the potential value of vitamin C-rich foods, including citrus fruits and juices. The study — “Plasma Vitamin C Levels Are Associated With …
When most folks think of Florida citrus, orange juice or fresh grapefruit comes to mind. Few appreciate the full diversity of the fruit hidden in its bloom, peel, juices and oils. That is where the Citrus Innovation Center comes in with high-tech approaches to extract more out of Florida’s signature crop. The 30,000-square-foot facility on the campus of Florida Polytechnic …
By Peter Chaires Spring is planning season for most Florida citrus organizations. New Varieties Development & Management Corp. (NVDMC) is no exception. The board recently met with all breeding teams to review 2025–26 sponsored projects and establish research priorities for 2026–27. Though some aspects of these projects will be covered in greater depth in future articles, this month’s column is …
A new study has identified several fungal pathogens associated with preharvest sweet orange fruit spoilage. It provides insights that could help citrus growers better understand and manage fruit rot problems in the grove. The research, “Morphological Identification of Fungi Associated with Preharvest Spoilage of Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis L.) Fruit in Bilo Nopha, Southwestern Ethiopia,” was published in the journal …
Huanglongbing (HLB, or citrus greening) disease has been the focus of an enormous amount of scientific research over the past two decades. A new study — “Bibliometric Mapping of Citrus Greening Disease Reflecting Trends, Shifts and Focus Areas” — takes a unique look at that research. It analyzes thousands of scientific publications to identify where scientists have concentrated their efforts …
The Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) reported that a recent study suggests regular orange juice consumption may support heart health while improving blood pressure regulation, lipid metabolism and inflammation. However, benefits can differ from person to person based on body weight. This clinical intervention study examined how drinking orange juice every day affects the body at the molecular level and …
By Ute Albrecht, Gabriel Pugina and Larissa Nunes According to a recent industry survey, 64% of Florida citrus growers have injected their trees for three consecutive years with oxytetracycline (OTC). This article reports the results from three research trials conducted by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Plant Physiology Team at the Southwest Florida Research …
Many people worry that orange juice can raise blood sugar quickly because it contains naturally occurring sugars. However, a new study suggests that 100% orange juice may affect blood sugar differently than sugary drinks that contain the same amount of sugar but lack the natural components found in oranges. A team of researchers in Spain and the United Kingdom compared …
The Florida Legislature on May 29 approved nearly $196 million as part of the 2026–27 fiscal year budget to accelerate the recovery of Florida’s citrus industry. The expenditure includes $160 million for the Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) Foundation to expand field trials and support new plantings. It also provides $4.5 million to advance basic research through the Citrus Research and …
The Citrus Industry section of the June 2026 issue of Specialty Crop Grower focuses on leadership and research. On the cover of the magazine is Ned Hancock, winner of the 2026 Citrus Achievement Award. He is being recognized for his decades-long leadership and dedication to serving Florida’s citrus industry. Don’t miss the accompanying video in the digital issue of the …
Florida’s soils present unique challenges for growers. The soils vary widely from nutrient-poor sandy to highly organic soils, depending on location. These conditions make it difficult to sustainably manage agriculture in a way that supports food production, environmental health and a strong economy. To address these challenges, University of Florida (UF) researchers are leading a four-year study supported by a $749,999 …
The grapefruit-like pomelo, the world’s biggest citrus fruit, has a hefty peel that protects the delicate flesh inside. That peel could help inspire more shock-absorbent naval ships. Boston University (BU) College of Engineering researchers are studying the pomelo’s ability to fall from up to 50 feet without smashing into pieces. (Watch the video!) With a U.S. Navy grant, they’re combining …
Cover crops in orchards are recognized as a sustainable practice that enhances multiple ecosystem services, yet systematic evaluations of different cover crops used in citrus orchards remain limited. A recent study in China investigated the effects of cover crops on soil properties, soil carbon dioxide (CO2) flux, leaf physiological traits, fruit quality and yield in a citrus orchard, using clean …
Researchers have demonstrated how an early application of the plant hormone 2,4-D can significantly reduce fruit cracking (also known as fruit splitting) in citrus crops — a major economic challenge worldwide. The researchers are from the Mediterranean Agroforestry Institute at the Polytechnic University of Valencia and Valencian Institute of Agrarian Research in Spain. Their work complements pioneering studies conducted in …
