In the search for solutions to HLB, a formulation based on oak leaf extract has been developed by citrus growers Travis Murphy and Tom Thayer, the Indian River Citrus League’s October River Ramblings newsletter reported. The formulation was developed following the growers’ observations that citrus trees under oak trees were free of HLB compared to nearby field trees that had …
Sneak Peek: November 2021 Citrus Industry
The low initial U.S. citrus crop forecast for the 2021–22 season points to the need to plant more trees to sustain the country’s citrus industry. The November issue of Citrus Industry magazine features articles that will help growers take care of their young trees. Two articles help answer the question of what to plant. First, University of Florida’s (UF) Ute …
Gator Bites: Competition for Clementines
Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) Director Michael Rogers recently praised the Gator Bites mandarin variety that is being developed by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). Gator Bites look like California clementines, branded as Cuties and Halos, but Rogers thinks Gator Bites is a better piece of fruit. “This makes the Cuties and Halos …
CUPS Not for All Citrus Growers
One of the unique ways of managing citrus greening disease developed by University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers is not for all producers. Citrus under protective screen (CUPS) is just too expensive for all growers to take advantage of, says Fred Gmitter, a UF/IFAS citrus breeder. “It’s an extremely expensive investment,” Gmitter says. “For that …
Survey Seeks Input on Fresh Fruit Decay
Florida growers, packers and shippers of fresh fruit are being asked to take a survey that will help guide programs addressing fresh fruit decay. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researcher Mark Ritenour said he’d like as many survey responses as possible by mid-November. Ritenour said funding has been provided from a Florida Citrus Packers/U.S. Department of …
HLB Research Is Focus of Short Videos
Two short videos about HLB-related research were available at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) booth at Citrus Expo in August. The videos are available online for viewing. UF/IFAS researcher Tripti Vashisth narrated the video, HLB-Associated Preharvest Fruit Drop. She said up to 40% of fruit can drop from mildly HLB-symptomatic trees shortly before harvest, …
Millennium Block Field Day Draws Growers
More than 50 citrus growers and researchers attended a field day Oct. 14 in Fort Pierce to view 154 new citrus scion-rootstock combinations. Some of the combinations will result in trees that tolerate HLB. The Millennium Block Drive-Thru Field Day occurred at the University of Florida (UF) Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Indian River Research and Education Center (IRREC). …
Floridians Discuss HLB on Australia TV
A Florida citrus grower and a Florida citrus researcher were quoted extensively in a recent Australia Broadcasting Corporation TV show about HLB. Grower Kyle Story and University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences plant pathologist Megan Dewdney appeared in an approximately 12-minute segment of the show Landline. The segment’s focus was Australia’s effort to keep HLB out of …
Fungus Suppresses Asian Citrus Psyllids
The citrus disease HLB, also known as citrus greening, has a formidable enemy in a fungal pathogen, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers reported. The fungus is Cordyceps javanica, strain Apopka, discovered by research scientist Lance Osborne in the mid-1980s. The fungus was isolated from dead insects on plants in a greenhouse at the UF/IFAS …
Making Sense of Biologicals: Seaweed for Citrus Stress Management
Florida provides an environment conducive to producing a variety of crops 365 days a year. It has beautiful sunshine, an ideal climate and ample rainfall for most of the year. These conditions allow Florida growers to produce some of the best citrus in the world. But Florida citrus is not immune to the harsh realities that can come with growing …
Shekels Joins Certis Biologicals
Lee Shekels has joined Certis Biologicals in a newly created role, Florida citrus sales specialist. He will work with the company’s existing Florida sales and field development teams. “Lee’s expertise and knowledge of the citrus industry will be key in bringing biologicals as proven crop protection tools to growers with sustainable product solutions to support growth in the industry,” said …
Psyllid Management Key for Georgia Growers
The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) is not yet well established in Georgia. University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and small fruits pathologist Jonathan Oliver wants to keep it that way. The ACP vectors citrus greening disease (HLB), which has decimated Florida’s citrus production. Oliver encourages producers to scout their groves regularly to avoid a similar fate happening in Georgia. “It’s …
NVDMC, CRDF History and Updates
The Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) recently heard presentations about the history and current work of both the New Varieties Development and Management Corporation (NVDMC) and the Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF). NVDMCRosa Walsh, Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) director of scientific research, said from 2003 to 2005, the FCC discussed the need for a program that would develop, license …
IPCs Help With Diaprepes and Nematodes
Florida citrus growers have known for several years that individual protective covers (IPCs) do a good job of excluding HLB-spreading Asian citrus psyllids from young trees. “But those protective covers also protect from things like Diaprepes abbreviatus,” researcher Larry Duncan told the recent Citrus Expo audience. Duncan is a nematologist at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural …
Navel Oranges: Current Status and Future in Florida
By Pete Spyke and Bill Castle Navel oranges are fairly tolerant of HLB, are popular and easy to sell, and offer a stable source of income that is only marginally related to worldwide supply and demand. Nevertheless, the Florida navel orange industry has experienced some tough times recently. Growers are questioning whether it is possible to grow navel oranges profitably …
World Production of Non-Orange Citrus
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) recently reported on expected world production of tangerines/mandarins, grapefruit and lemons/limes in the 2020-21 marketing year. TANGERINES/MANDARINSGlobal output for 2020-21 is estimated to rise 4% to a record 33.3 million tons with growth expected in nearly every market. China’s production is projected to rise 1 million tons to a record 23 …
Steger Forecast for 2021-22 Florida Orange Crop
Private consultant Elizabeth Steger on Aug. 16 forecast Florida will produce 52 million boxes of oranges in the 2021-22 season — 1.5% less than the 52.8 million boxes produced in 2020-21. Steger projected 20.8 million boxes of early-midseason oranges; that’s less than the 22.7 million boxes produced last season. Her Valencia projection is 31.2 million boxes; that’s more than the …
Optimizing Macronutrients and Micronutrients
By Davie Kadyampakeni Nutrients are needed for optimal tree growth, fruit yield and juice quality. Any nutrient deficiencies could result in low yields and decreased revenue. It is important to make sure citrus trees always receive adequate nutrient supplies. Nutrients are categorized into two groups: macronutrients and micronutrients. MACRONUTRIENTSMacronutrients are those nutrients needed in large quantities to influence yield, growth …
HLB and Citrus Nutrition
Tripti Vashisth shared results of research into nutrition needs of citrus trees with HLB during a recent virtual educational program sponsored by the Citrus Research and Development Foundation and Florida Citrus Mutual. Vashisth is a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences horticulturist at the Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred. Here are a few key …
Grower Input Wanted on ‘Greasy Green’ Disorder
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is asking Florida fresh citrus growers and packers to complete a brief, anonymous survey about a disorder some call “greasy green.” The symptoms of the disorder are consistent with greasy spot, but a direct causal relationship has not been proven. The disorder may also be related to other possible …