The world’s peerless grapefruit grows in the Indian River Citrus District. Balanced with sugar and tart, and a thin rind for easy peeling, the fruit is sold mostly for export to European and Asian markets, where it is a high-price delicacy. But the once-thriving industry is in decline, and a plant pathogen is present in all of the state’s grapefruit …
Economics of CUPS and IPCs
At Citrus Expo, economist Ariel Singerman discussed the economics of producing citrus under protective screen (CUPS) and covering young trees with individual protective covers (IPCs). The primary purpose of both strategies is to exclude HLB-spreading Asian citrus psyllids. Singerman is with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). Singerman calculated that a CUPS grower who insures …
Rogers on Planting, Production Guide and More
Michael Rogers, director of the Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC), discusses the new Florida Citrus Production Guide, tree planting decisions, fruit displays and plans for hiring a new horticulturist. The CREC is a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) facility. Rogers says the recently released production guide for growers “was a hot commodity this year …
Florida to Get 1,500 New Acres of Grapefruit
In recent years, the iconic Florida citrus industry has been faced with challenges from devastating citrus greening to major hurricanes pummeling the state’s fruit groves. But industry members are doubling down on their commitment to ensure citrus and juice products remain synonymous with the Sunshine State. Peace River Citrus Products and Scott Family Companies and its partners announced they will …
Florida Governor Joins Announcement About Indian River Grapefruit Acreage Expansion
Florida Governor Ron Desantis is expected to join citrus industry leaders in Vero Beach this evening for a major announcement about industry collaboration that is expected to re-establish Florida’s grapefruit industry in the famed Indian River production region. Dan Richey of Riverfront Packing in Vero Beach is one of the organizers for the event. Gary Cooper, Southeast AgNet Radio Network …
PIECES OF THE PAST: Teaching Northerners How to Eat Florida Grapefruit
By Brenda Eubanks Burnette I recently came across an article by Frank Kay Anderson in the June 1922 issue of Citrus Industry magazine and found it quite interesting, as I have never seen this version of a grapefruit “preparer.” It also made me wonder if this was one of the first fulfillment programs in the industry. So, if you have …
Does Reducing Psyllids Help When HLB Is Present Everywhere?
By Freddy Ibanez, Nabil Killiny, L. Gene Albrigo and Lukasz L. Stelinski With both Asian citrus psyllids (ACP) and huanglongbing (HLB) distributed throughout Florida groves, there is no longer a need to slow the spread of the disease. So, it is logical to ask whether reducing vector numbers is still something that is worth pursuing, given the investment needed in …
Gibberellic Acid for HLB-Affected Trees
Horticulturist Tripti Vashisth discussed the use of gibberellic acid (GA) in HLB-affected trees at a recent, well-attended OJ Break in Bartow hosted by multi-county citrus Extension agent Chris Oswalt. Vashisth is an assistant professor at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Citrus Research and Education Center. Vashisth told growers that HLB-affected trees are under continuous stress …
Stormwater System Inspections Extended Until 2025
As part of the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s (District) Citrus Task Force initiative, the requirement for formal recertification of permitted agricultural stormwater management systems has been extended until 2025. The permittee is still responsible for periodically inspecting the system to ensure it is functioning as permitted and designed. This action was requested by stakeholders interviewed by the task force …
The Good That Orange Juice Does
The health benefits of orange juice, and how the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) promotes them to consumers, were discussed by FDOC Scientific Research Director Rosa Walsh at Citrus Expo. Walsh summarizes key parts of her presentation in an interview with Tacy Callies, Citrus Industry magazine editor. Walsh says orange juice contains hesperidin, which “has antioxidant-like properties.” She says hesperidin …
Rootstock Work Discussed
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) plant physiologist Ute Albrecht discusses her research on citrus rootstocks. Albrecht points out that sour orange was the dominant rootstock in Florida several decades ago, until trees on the rootstock succumbed to citrus tristeza virus. “Now we have many other rootstocks that are beneficial for different reasons,” she says. Those …
Martin Named New California CRB President
Marcy L. Martin was named the new president of the Citrus Research Board (CRB). The appointment was announced by CRB Chairman Dan Dreyer, who said that Martin was selected after a nearly year-long national search for the best candidate to lead the organization. Martin joins the CRB with more than 25 years of experience with California commodity organizations. She most …
Payne Picked for 2019 Florida 500 List
Jack Payne, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) senior vice president of agriculture and natural resources, earned a spot on this year’s Florida 500, Florida Trend Magazine’s second annual list of the state’s most influential business leaders. Eighteen agricultural sector leaders made the list. “My recognition is really a reflection of UF/IFAS as a whole,” Payne …
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 …
Cloud-Based Software Helps Farmers on the Ground
A University of Florida agricultural engineer has developed software that can help farmers find the best places to plant crops and to identify fruit and vegetable varieties that perform better against diseases. Now, Yiannis Ampatzidis is leading an effort to refine the software so it can help growers even more. To help farmers protect and even increase their harvests, Ampatzidis, …
Research on Shade Benefits and Growing Better Bingo
Money provided by the Florida Legislature allows research into the positive impact of shade on trees, Bingo tree dieback and additional areas not funded by other sources. “The University of Florida (UF) each year gets legislative appropriations from the state, and these are Citrus Initiative legislative funds,” says Michael Rogers, director of the Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC). The …
Futuristic Control of Psyllids
Two University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences faculty discussed research that might offer future weapons in the fight against HLB-spreading Asian citrus psyllids (ACP). Both scientists made presentations at the recent Citrus Expo. Bt toxins, which come from a bacterium, have been used to control pests in corn and cotton, said Bryony Bonning. “They don’t work terribly …
IPCs Effective Against Psyllids and HLB
Long-time multi-county citrus Extension agent Mongi Zekri, who serves Southwest Florida counties, says individual protective covers (IPCs) work well in the fight against citrus greening, also known as HLB. “They have been very effective in controlling or managing citrus greening, because they don’t allow the citrus psyllid, which is the vector of the disease, to get to the tree,” Zekri …
Agent Reports on Crop Conditions and Planting
After announcing at the August meeting of the Citrus Research and Development Foundation that the 2019–20 Florida Citrus Production Guide is now available, multi-county citrus Extension agent Chris Oswalt talked about tree and crop conditions. He summarizes his presentation in an interview. “After all the rainfall we’ve had, and we’ve had quite a bit of good rainfall this past month …
CRAFT Application Period Opening Soon
The Citrus Research and Field Trial Foundation Inc. (CRAFT Foundation) board of directors, technical working group (TWG), staff and a legion of volunteers have been working at top speed throughout the summer finalizing the formation, organization and funding of the CRAFT program. The first priority for the CRAFT Foundation staff and board of directors has been securing all available funding …