Greasy-Green Research Update

Josh McGillDiseases, Research

University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researchers Megan Dewdney, Mark Ritenour, Liliana Cano, Eva Mulandesa and Monty Myers recently provided an update of their greasy-green disorder research. Excerpts follow from the Indian River Citrus League’s River Ramblings publication: “Greasy green” is a term applied to fruit that develop what appears to be greasy spot rind blotch symptoms …

Lemon Scion Research Summarized

Josh McGillCalifornia Corner, lemons, Varieties

An assortment of lemon scions producing fresh market fruit performed differently for yield and other qualities in three California locations. Glenn Wright, University of Arizona associate professor and Extension specialist for tree crops, provided the comparative results from the three locations in a June 20 webinar. All results are through the 2020–21 season. SANTA PAULAThe Santa Paula location, with a …

European Orange Production to Decline

Josh McGillCrop Forecast, International

European Union (EU) orange production is projected at nearly 5.8 million metric tons (MMT) for 2022–23, almost a 13% reduction from the previous season, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) report. Reductions are expected mainly in Spain and slightly in Italy and Portugal. SPAINOrange production in Spain is projected to decline by 22.8%, amounting …

Recovery Will Require a Multipronged Management Program

Josh McGillHLB Management, hurricane, Production

By Michael Rogers The 2022–23 Florida harvest season is now behind us. Yield losses magnified by the weather events this past season position the next couple of years as “make or break” for many growers. The lingering effects of hurricane Ian will impact next season’s crop as trees continue to recover and balance out canopy regrowth with fruit production. Despite …

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OJ Availability, Price and Sales

Josh McGillFlorida Citrus Commission, Florida Department of Citrus, Orange Juice

Worldwide availability of orange juice (OJ) has declined by 10% to 12% this season (2022–23) compared to the prior season, economist Marisa Zansler told the Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) in June. Zansler is the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) director of economic and market research. The FCC is the FDOC’s governing board. In the 2022–23 season, frozen concentrated OJ availability …

Update on Sweet Orange Scab in California

Josh McGillCalifornia Corner, Diseases

A California researcher recently provided an update on sweet orange scab (SOS). The fungal disease has been detected in the state 18 times since 2013. University of California, Riverside professor and plant pathologist Jim Adaskaveg said most of the detections have been in Southern California, especially in Imperial County. Eleven detections have been in commercial lemon orchards, three in commercial …

Japanese Diagnostic Method Targets Breeding Rights Violations

Josh McGillBreeding, International

Citrus is the third most important agricultural product in Japan. The success of the Japanese citrus industry is attributed to the development of new cultivars that are free of pests and diseases, climate-resilient and exhibit superior fruit quality. There has, however, been a growing concern over the infringement and violation of breeding rights of citrus cultivars developed in Japan. This …

HLB Lessons Learned From Nepal

Josh McGillAll In For Citrus Podcast, HLB Management, International

Citrus is grown in many different regions across the globe. Some of those places look very different than the Florida landscape. But that doesn’t mean growers in different regions can’t benefit from learning about how others grow their fruit. That was the message from Christoper Vincent, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) assistant professor of environmental …

Angle Named University of Florida Interim Provost

Josh McGillEducation, Florida

J. Scott Angle, head of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), will serve as UF’s interim provost when Joseph Glover steps down in July. Angle will continue to lead UF/IFAS with executive decision making and strategic direction. Robert Gilbert, current UF/IFAS dean of research, will handle day-to-day administration for the organization in the interim. In …

Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act Introduced

Josh McGillLegislative

U.S. Representatives Jimmy Panetta of California and Kat Cammack of Florida have introduced bipartisan legislation to reduce income barriers that producers face in accessing agriculture disaster assistance. The Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act aims to ensure that basic safety-net programs for producers are readily available to help full-time farmers recover following natural disasters. Current adjusted gross income (AGI) …

Managing Micronutrients in HLB-Affected Trees

Josh McGillNutrition, Tip of the Week

By Davie Kadyampakeni Nutrients are needed for optimal tree growth, fruit yields and juice quality. Any nutrient deficiencies could result in low yields and decreased revenue, so it is essential to make sure citrus trees receive adequate nutrient supplies at all times. Micronutrients, though required in minute quantities, are especially important for citrus trees impacted by citrus greening. Examples of …

Identifying HLB Therapeutics With CTV-Based Vectors

Josh McGillHLB Management, Research

By Choaa A. El Mohtar Projected citrus production in Florida for the 2022–23 season is less than 20 million boxes. This is more than a 90% decrease compared to the 2003–04 season, which was around 292 million boxes. The main reason for the decrease is huanglongbing (HLB) disease. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus …

Adverse Effect Wage Rates Rule Challenged

Josh McGillLabor, Legal

In late February, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) pushed through a new methodology used to determine the hourly adverse effect wage rates (AEWR) for agricultural employers. The rule became effective March 30. Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) Director of Labor Relations Jamie Fussell discussed the action’s impact on growers: IMPACT ON EMPLOYERSSimply, the new rule may mean that …

PIECES OF THE PAST: Centennial Celebrations

Josh McGillMiss Florida Citrus, Pieces of the Past

By Brenda Eubanks Burnette Gap Kovach, formerly head of HESCO, recently sent me a surprise packet of goodies for the Citrus Archives that included citrus labels, the 1986 Miss Florida Citrus program and the Winter Park Public Library 1985 calendar. The calendar was in honor of the library’s centennial celebration and featured numerous Florida citrus crate labels “as a salute …

Critical Minerals Bill Seeks to Secure Fertilizer Supplies

Josh McGillLegislative, Nutrition

Four members of Congress have introduced a bill to include phosphate and potash on the final List of Critical Minerals of the U.S. Department of the Interior. The U.S. representatives are Kat Cammack of Florida, Barry Moore of Alabama, Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and Jimmy Panetta of California. “A nation that cannot feed itself is not secure,” Cammack said. “Without …

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CRDF Research Priorities Include Trunk-Injection Therapy

Josh McGillCRDF, Research

The Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) held its June board of directors meeting in conjunction with Florida Citrus Mutual’s Florida Citrus Industry Annual Conference in Bonita Springs. The June gathering is when the CRDF board passes its budget for the next year. The board funded a project by Zhanao Deng, professor of environmental horticulture with the University of Florida …

Propagation Program Update on Donaldson and Other Trees

Josh McGillFlorida Citrus Commission, Florida Department of Citrus, HLB Management

The Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) on June 14 received an update about a program for expedited propagation, in which 23 nurseries are participating. The goal of the expedited tree propagation program is to have several million HLB-tolerant or HLB-resistant trees planted in the next several years. Rosa Walsh, Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) director of scientific research, provided the update. …

Angle Calls for Faster Research Progress on HLB

Josh McGillEvents, HLB Management

Scott Angle, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources, began the educational session during the Florida Citrus Industry Annual Conference with a message of urgency. He recognized the critical threat posed by HLB and said science could catch up to the problem. “Plant sciences are advancing globally at almost …

No Perfect Tree Spacing for Multiple Objectives

Josh McGillCalifornia Corner, planting

Looking for the perfect tree planting density to meet all of your objectives for citrus fruit quality and yield? That may not be possible, University of California Cooperative Extension’s Craig Kallsen said in a recent talk about planting density’s impact on navel orange yield and quality.  The citrus and pistachio farm advisor for Kern County gave the example of a …

Eliminate Fire Ants to Improve ACP Control

Josh McGillBiologicals, Pests

By Lukasz Stelinski Ants can be involved in mutualistic relationships with honeydew-producing hemipterans. Ants provide protection against their natural enemies, and in return, hemipterans reward ants with honeydew. Such mutualism may affect population regulation of hemipterans by third trophic level predators. However, current knowledge regarding the effects of this food-for-protection mutualism of ants with Asian citrus psyllid (ACP, Diaphorina citri) …