Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Tip of the Week”
By Lauren Diepenbrock Red imported fire ants (Solenopsis Invicta), commonly referred to as fire ants, are commonplace throughout Florida. The pest infests a broad range of habitats, including urban sites, natural areas and production fields. In citrus, a range of impacts from this pest are seen. From a human health perspective, fire ant stings can cause symptoms from mild irritation …
By Tripti Vashisth, Meryam Manzoor and Johann Hiller Fruit quality and yield remain major concerns for sweet orange growers in the HLB era. Both are closely linked to the tree’s ability to support developing fruit throughout the season. Leaves are the primary source of carbohydrates needed for fruit growth, retention and juice development. Canopy density and leaf area directly influence …
By Michael E. Rogers Florida citrus growers continue to adapt to new challenges, regulations and technologies while maintaining the resilience that has defined the industry for generations. Supporting that effort, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) research and Extension programs remain focused on delivering practical, science-based solutions that help growers maintain productive and profitable operations. For …
By Jamie D. Burrow and Tripti Vashisth Florida citrus production continues to change, and staying up to date is vital. The Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo seminars are an opportunity for growers to hear the latest updates from University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus researchers. A mix of panel discussions and presentations is scheduled to …
By John M. Chater Kaolin clay is used as a crop protectant in many crops, including tree crops like citrus. This clay is often white to grayish white and is commonly used to reduce sunburn on fruit and young trees. Kaolin also has been demonstrated to reduce pest feeding and activity in some tree crops. The albedo from the clay …
By Tripti Vashisth, Taylor Livingston and Abhishek Neupane Florida citrus production occurs predominantly on sandy soils that are inherently low in organic matter and possess limited water- and nutrient-holding capacity. These soil constraints have become increasingly important in the era of huanglongbing (HLB), where compromised root systems reduce the tree’s ability to efficiently acquire water and nutrients. As a result, …
By Jamie D. Burrow and Tripti Vashisth The UF/IFAS Citrus Team conducts ongoing research to improve citrus production management strategies. The Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo is one of the main annual events where the team comes together to showcase the latest research and tools available to citrus growers. For more than 20 years, the citrus team has had a …
By Jamie D. Burrow, Taylor Livingston and Tripti Vashisth Before huanglongbing (HLB), citrus grew well in Florida because of the climate and sandy soil. Trees had strong structural roots and a wealth of feeder roots. Since the continued tree decline caused by HLB, root systems have become smaller and weaker. By improving the physio-chemical properties of the sandy soil, it …
By Jamie D. Burrow, Tripti Vashisth and Michael E. Rogers In the early days of huanglongbing (HLB), the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Team realized it needed to bring its HLB content together on a single website to make it more accessible. The website has become outdated, and much more is available today for …
By Ute Albrecht, Larissa Nunes and Igor Silva Trunk injection of oxytetracycline (OTC) requires drilling a hole into the trunk and injecting a foreign substance into the tree. Not only does the physical damage from drilling cause injury, but the application of chemicals can exacerbate both the external and internal damage. BARK CRACKING Externally, aside from the drill hole, bark …
By Jamie Burrow and Tripti Vashisth If you haven’t had a chance yet, take a few minutes to explore the new 2026 University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Variety Guide. You’ll find it beginning on page 21 of the April 2026 issue of the UF/IFAS Citrus Magazine. WHAT IT INCLUDES This guide is designed to …
By Lukasz Stelinski As summer takes hold in June, Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) populations are often high coinciding with availability of new flush. This is also a time when natural enemies can provide meaningful ACP suppression. Growers can improve biological control by making management decisions that help predators and parasitoids survive and function in the grove. MANAGE ANTS One important …
By Tripti Vashisth, Taylor Livingston, Meryam Manzoor and Johann Hiller Citrus fruit quality and yield remain major concerns for sweet orange growers in the huanglongbing (HLB) era. These outcomes largely depend on the tree’s ability to support developing fruit throughout the growing season. Leaf area and canopy density are positively correlated with carbohydrate production and allocation to fruit, directly influencing …
By Lauren Fessler Mathews, Ana Redondo and Ozgur Batuman Citrus canker continues to impact Florida citrus, increasing premature fruit drop and decreasing yield and fruit quality. While copper sprays have long been relied upon to control this disease, concerns about environmental impact and possible resistance development have led to efforts to find sustainable alternatives. Previous studies have shown that plant …
By Ramdas Kanissery When the summer heat rolls in and the rain gets spotty, growers tend to shift their focus to irrigation, nutrition and HLB management. Weed control often gets pushed to the back burner. But here’s the thing: Heat and dry spells do not stop weeds. They change them, and those changes can make your weed management program a …
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 …
By Megan Dewdney Algal spot is rarely a top concern for growers until it seems to be suddenly everywhere. Is the disease a major concern or a nuisance? It depends. If the disease is only in a few locations, then the management goal is making sure that the disease is not spreading too widely. If many trees are affected, the …
By Jawwad A. Qureshi Citrus under protective screen (CUPS) is a novel system for large-scale citrus production in screen houses covered with a tightly woven mesh screen on all four sides and the roof. The primary goal of this shift from a traditional open orchard to a CUPS system is to protect citrus crops from huanglongbing (HLB) disease, which is …
By Michelle Danyluk, William “Billy” Mitchell, Stephanie Brown, Emmy Collins, Keith R. Schneider and Taylor O’Bannon Most citrus growers have been meeting the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Produce Safety Rule (PSR) requirements since 2016. However, changes to this rule in May of 2024 now require growers to have an agricultural water assessment (AgWa) for production (i.e., pre-harvest) water. A …
By Jawwad A. Qureshi Natural enemies are the beneficial organisms that control insect and mite pests. Citrus trees produce most of their young shoots (flush) for the year in spring and will continue to produce more in summer and fall. Arthropod activity has already started in citrus groves. For example, overwintering Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) adults have started reproducing. Other …
