The October issue of Citrus Industry magazine features two tools growers can use against Asian citrus psyllids (ACP). There’s still no silver bullet for HLB, the disease ACP carries to citrus trees. However, particle films and individual protective covers (IPCs) are showing positive results in slowing down ACP and HLB disease infection. University of Florida (UF) citrus physiologist Christopher Vincent …
All In For Citrus Podcast, September 2019
September’s All In for Citrus Podcast includes some exciting updates from University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers. First, Michael Rogers, director of the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC), discusses several topics. Included are the new Florida Citrus Production Guide, tree planting decisions, fruit displays and the planned hiring of a new horticulturist at …
Sugar Belle® Shows Potential in Orange Juice Processing
By Yu Wang, Charles Sims, Zhifeng Gao, Lisa House, Frederick Gmitter and Jude Grosser The citrus industry has faced significant declines in both production and consumption during the huanglongbing (HLB) era. For example, Florida orange production has dropped about 70 percent over the last two decades. In the absence of effective interventions, the spread of HLB will continue to reduce the …
USDA Citrus Fruits 2019 Summary
Florida’s 2018–2019 orange production is up 59 percent from the previous season. Citrus utilized production for the 2018–19 season totaled 7.94 million tons, up 31 percent from the 2017–18 season. California accounted for 51 percent of total U.S. citrus production; Florida totaled 44 percent, and Texas and Arizona produced the remaining 5 percent. Florida’s orange production, at 71.8 million boxes, …
Fast Track Has Winners and Losers
At a recent meeting to discuss the release of the Marathon mandarin in the Fast Track citrus evaluation program, the program manager said Fast Track selections have had varying fortunes. “The purpose of this program is to take things that look promising and then get them out into the hands of nurseries and growers as fast as possible,” says Peter …
Redefining Orange Juice?
Some Florida citrus processors, scientists, grower representatives and others recently started discussions about the feasibility of changing the legal standard of identity for orange juice (OJ). Under current U.S. Food and Drug Administration standards of identify for OJ, only sweet orange can be used in OJ products without limitation. Only 10 percent of juice from mandarins or citrus hybrids can …
Working Toward Better Orange Juice in the HLB World
By Jude Grosser, Fred Gmitter, Yu Wang and Bill Castle It’s no secret that huanglongbing (HLB) has challenged the industry to maintain the outstanding quality associated with Florida orange juice. Moreover, increased prices and competition from new juice products and blends have reduced Florida orange juice consumption. We believe that improving the quality, especially flavor and color, of juice products …
Israel’s Dynamic Citrus Industry
By Stephen H. Futch and Ariel Singerman As home to three of the world’s major religions, Israel is one of the most diverse countries in the world. Besides its cultural diversity and historical importance, Israel is also a major citrus producer and exporter. Israel’s citrus industry began in 1882. As new immigrants moved to the country, they established many very …
Critical Leaf Nutrient Thresholds to Diagnose Deficiencies in HLB Trees
By Arnold Schumann, Laura Waldo, Tripti Vashisth, Alan Wright and Kelly Morgan Huanglongbing (HLB) disease severely impacts the nutrient status of citrus trees, particularly by stunting the feeder roots and causing measurable deficiencies of nutrients in the roots and canopies. Visible symptoms of nutrient deficiencies on citrus foliage are characteristic but not diagnostic of HLB disease. Recent HLB research efforts …
Indian River Citrus Trials Discussed
Researcher Rhuanito “Johnny” Ferrarezi recently discussed experiments on citrus varieties and citrus under protective screen (CUPS) in the Indian River area. Ferrarezi is a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences assistant professor of citrus horticulture at the Indian River Research and Education Center (IRREC). One large trial Ferrarezi discussed will be of grapefruit, navel and mandarins on …
Grower Considers New Variety
About 20 people attended an informational program on April 9 at the Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred, Florida. The meeting addressed the newest Fast Track program variety, Marathon, being released. Marathon is an early-season seedless mandarin. Jerry Mixon of KLM Farms, who is growing other selections released by the Fast Track program, expressed interest in the Marathon …
Important Insurance Deadlines Are Approaching
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds Florida citrus growers of upcoming insurance deadlines as they relate to the Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program (WHIP) and the Block Grant. WHIP Requirement for Nursery CropsThe application sales closing date for crop insurance for 2020 Nursery Crops is May 1, 2019. Nursery growers who received WHIP benefits must …
Phytophthora: An Old Problem with New Challenges
By Evan Johnson Diseases caused by phytophthora continually threaten Florida citrus production. Brown rot can directly reduce yields of early maturing varieties including Hamlin and grapefruit, can delay harvest of fresh market fruit until infected fruit have dropped, or risk packinghouse rejection of the load because it can spread post-harvest. Foot and crown rot can kill trees but are uncommon …
New Citrus Variety Option for Florida Growers
FAST TRACK is an innovative program developed through the cooperative efforts of Florida Foundation Seed Producers, Inc. (FFSP), the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), and New Varieties Development & Management Corp. (NVDMC). Through FAST TRACK, commercial citrus growers can obtain a license to plant promising experimental citrus selections for trial and evaluation. FAST TRACK engages …
Crop Insurance Policies for Citrus Growers
By Ariel Singerman To compensate growers for losses suffered due to Hurricane Irma in 2017, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has put in place the Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program (WHIP). As part of the requirements for receiving payments from WHIP and/or the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Citrus Recovery Block Grant, citrus growers will have to …
Citrus Breeding in Uruguay
A primary job for scientists breeding citrus in Uruguay is to help the approximately 42,000-acre industry develop fresh fruit for export, Fernando Rivas said at a recent international citrus breeders symposium in Lake Alfred, Florida. Rivas works for Uruguay’s National Institute of Agricultural Research. On. Dec. 4, Rivas told an audience of about 70 at the Citrus Research and Education …
California Citrus Crop Report Summary
California Citrus Mutual reports that the California citrus crop summary for 2017 is now complete. The data shows a strong season for the state’s citrus growers. The total value for all California citrus is about $3.84 billion. There are 324,360 acres, which produced 257,830 tons of citrus. Navels continue to hold the number-one spot for acreage with 148,179 bearing acres …
Grower Pete Spyke Discusses New Varieties
Grower and gift fruit shipper Pete Spyke was among more than 100 people who sampled approximately 50 new University of Florida varieties at the Citrus Research and Education Center on Dec. 4. “There’s some good-tasting, easy-peel, seedless (mandarin) varieties that I think will be working their way through the gauntlet,” said Spyke. He added that several will probably be released …
Good Varieties for CUPS
At a recent field day for citrus under protective screen (CUPS) in Polk County, researcher Arnold Schumann discussed varieties that appear to work well in the system. Schumann is with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Citrus Research and Education Center. The primary purpose of growing citrus under protective screen is to keep out the Asian …
Evergreen Pro Emergency Use Approved in California
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved an emergency authorization requested by California Citrus Mutual (CCM) to use Evergreen Pro 60-6 (EPA Reg. No. 1021-1770). It was temporarily approved as a post-harvest treatment option for all citrus in California to prevent the spread of Asian citrus psyllids, the vector for huanglongbing. CCM had requested that citrus growers be allowed to use …