Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Research”
A Chinese official’s visit to new citrus facilities in Pakistan showcased citrus research and growing agricultural cooperation between Pakistan and China. Sun Yan, consul general of the People’s Republic of China in Lahore, Pakistan, inaugurated a newly established climate-controlled glasshouse and screen house at the Citrus Research Institute (CRI) in Sargodha. He was briefed on the institute’s research programs, citrus …
The development of citrus varieties that can resist HLB could eventually change how growers manage the disease. However, a recent study suggests the transition may not be as simple as planting resistant trees and stopping control of the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) that spreads HLB. A paper about the research, published in the April 2026 issue of Agricultural Systems, examines …
Jacob Villagomez, director of governmental affairs for California Citrus Mutual, recently discussed developments that could benefit California citrus growers. Among the topics he addressed in the AgNet News Hour podcast were the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) recent modernization of the federal standard of identity for pasteurized orange juice (OJ) and HLB research in California. STANDARD OF IDENTITY FOR …
A recent University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) article addressed the use of plant defense inducers (PDIs) as sustainable alternatives to oxytetracycline (OTC) injection for HLB management. Researchers Lauren Fessler Mathews, Ana Redondo and Ozgur Batuman at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center (SWFREC) authored the article. Slightly edited excerpts of the article follow: PDIs …
Researchers have discovered a soil bacterium that helps citrus plants grow by releasing a natural chemical signal that improves the plant’s ability to take up nutrients. The finding could lead to new biological products designed to improve citrus tree health and fertilizer efficiency. An article about the study was published in Horticulture Research. The authors are Hongfei Li, Dongxin Liu, …
Beneficial soil fungi known as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) may help citrus trees tolerate toxic levels of manganese, according to new research. The findings could eventually lead to new management strategies for citrus grown in acidic soils where manganese toxicity can limit tree growth and productivity. An article about the study was published in the journal Tree Physiology. The research …
New research suggests that how citrus trees respond to water stress may be more important than simply how much water they receive. The findings could help growers improve irrigation management, reduce fruit cracking and protect yields as weather becomes more variable. An article about the study — “Linking plant water status dynamics to yield and fruit cracking in citrus orchards …
As high temperatures become more common in citrus-growing regions, researchers are searching for ways to help trees better tolerate heat. A new study suggests that two naturally occurring plant hormones — abscisic acid (ABA) and brassinosteroids (BR) — may strengthen citrus trees’ defenses against heat stress. The research was published in the journal Horticulturae by Longfei Jin, Yueting Sun, Yanmei …
As citrus growers continue searching for varieties that can perform under huanglongbing (HLB) pressure, researchers are looking beyond tree survival. Fruit quality, flavor and consumer acceptance are becoming increasingly important parts of the equation. A new study evaluated several HLB-tolerant mandarin hybrids and identified selections that combine disease tolerance with traits that could make them attractive for fresh-market production. An …
Recent research provides one of the clearest pictures to date of how huanglongbing (HLB) disease develops over time and affects different parts of a tree. An article about the research — “Microscopic Atlas of Citrus Huanglongbing Unravels Its Sequential Disease Development Mechanism” — was published in the journal Phytopathology. The authors are researchers Diann Achor, Camila Ribeiro, Jinyun Li and …
When citrus growers think about viruses and viroids, symptoms above ground — such as tree decline, leaf issues and poor fruit production — often receive the most attention. A new study shows that what happens below the soil surface may also provide important clues about how citrus rootstocks respond to these pathogens. The study, “Root Traits Responses of Citrus Rootstocks …
Researchers are studying why some citrus species appear to handle huanglongbing (HLB) better than others. Understanding these differences could help breeders develop more resilient citrus varieties and rootstocks for future production. A new study compared nine citrus species infected with HLB and identified differences in how the plants respond to the disease, including changes in nutrient levels, stress responses and …
A new research platform may help scientists identify potential treatments for citrus greening disease faster, potentially speeding up the search for solutions. Citrus greening, also known as huanglongbing (HLB), is caused by the bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas). The disease disrupts the tree’s ability to transport nutrients, leading to symptoms such as blotchy leaves, small and misshapen fruit, poor juice …
Many people throw away citrus peels because they are too bitter to eat raw, but this outer layer of the fruit’s skin is a rich source of many sought-after beneficial compounds. The peel is in demand for companies seeking to use those compounds for health and pharmaceutical products. Christina Dorado, lead scientist and chemist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture …
Following the discovery of non-commercial citrus plants resistant to greening disease, Fundecitrus researchers in the field of biotechnology have been working to understand the mechanisms underlying this resistance. The Brazilian scientists also seek to identify viable pathways for transferring these traits to commercial varieties. In 2019, hypotheses were confirmed showing that certain citrus species native to Oceania, such as Eremocitrus …
A newly published study suggests that the use of individual protective covers (IPCs) followed by monthly applications of homobrassinolide (HBr) after IPCs are removed is beneficial. The two-step approach can help young mandarin trees stay healthier longer and produce more fruit in Florida’s HLB-endemic environment. The study, “Combining Individual Protective Covers and Homobrassinolide Treatment Prolongs Tree Health and Increases Fruit …
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 …
