Irrigation Management With Artificial Intelligence

Tacy CalliesIrrigation

Artificial intelligence (AI) can be an overwhelming topic, but Sandra Guzmán says it is easier to swallow when it helps growers. Guzmán, an agricultural engineering assistant professor at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Indian River Research and Education Center, has been working directly with growers to integrate the benefits of in-field technology. The influx …

Irrigation Problem Prevention

Tacy CalliesIrrigation, Tip of the Week

By Ajia Paolillo To keep your irrigation system running efficiently, it is important to perform routine maintenance throughout the year. There are many types of issues that can affect your irrigation system, causing it to run poorly. Poly tubing and emitters can become clogged. Emitters can be blocked by weeds or broken through normal wear and tear. When these issues …

irrigation

Irrigation Scheduling to Optimize Tree Performance

Tacy CalliesIrrigation, Tip of the Week

By Davie Kadyampakeni Proper irrigation scheduling applies an appropriate volume of water to a citrus grove at the appropriate time based on tree need, soil properties and weather conditions. Applying water in the right amount, right quantity and at the right time is very important for getting the best out of citrus trees. Several tools are available for determining when …

agricultural engineer

Guzmán Honored for Irrigation Work

Ernie NeffAwards

Precision irrigation scientist Sandra Guzmán was recently named a 2020 Outstanding Young Extension Worker by the Florida Section of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. Guzmán is a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researcher with expertise in artificial intelligence for water management. She works at the UF/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center …

Reusing Oilfield Produced Water for Irrigation

Tacy CalliesCalifornia Corner, Irrigation

California citrus growers and other farmers in the Bakersfield area may feel vindicated with the result of a new study by researchers at Duke University and RTI International. As reported in the California Department of Food and Agriculture Planting Seeds blog, the study finds that reusing oilfield water that’s been mixed with surface water to irrigate farms in the Cawelo …

Irrigation Scheduling Methods Affect Water Use

Tacy CalliesIrrigation

By Sandra M. Guzman and Rhuanito S. Ferrarezi Irrigation scheduling has been one of the most important management practices to improve crop production. For citrus, there are multiple options to schedule irrigation, including evapotranspiration-, plant- and soil-based methods. These methods can provide different water requirement estimates based on environmental variables, plant uptake or water content in the soil. Although each …

How to Keep Your Irrigation System Properly Maintained

Tacy CalliesIrrigation

By Davie Kadyampakeni and Arnold Schumann Irrigation system maintenance is critical for proper and efficient delivery of water in citrus and other irrigated crops. A well maintained and functional irrigation system will deliver the required amounts of water to the root zone when needed and help growers optimize crop production. If an irrigation system is not working optimally, crops can …

irrigation

Irrigation Management Advice for HLB Trees

Tacy CalliesHLB Management, Irrigation

Water is a limiting factor in Florida citrus production during the majority of the year. Florida citrus trees may require irrigation throughout the year due to the low water-holding capacity of sandy soils and the warm subtropical climate with distinct drought periods during the spring.  Davie Kadyampakeni, assistant professor of soil and water sciences at the University of Florida Institute …

Irrigation Management for Young Citrus Trees

Tacy CalliesIrrigation

By Davie Kadyampakeni, Arnold Schumann, Mongi Zekri and Chris Oswalt Irrigation management is important for achieving optimal citrus tree growth and promoting high water- and nutrient-use efficiencies in young trees. In the era of HLB, poor water-management practices, such as infrequent irrigation, lead to water stress in trees resulting in limited growth and impaired root development. On the other hand, …

daily irrigation

Daily Irrigation for HLB-Affected Trees

Ernie NeffCitrus, Irrigation

Daily irrigation is important in managing HLB-affected trees, a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) soil scientist told a Citrus Nutrition Day crowd in Bartow on Dec. 11. The researcher, Davie Kadyampakeni, said daily irrigation reduces tree water stress and improves tree water use. According to Kadyampakeni, keeping water in the top 12 inches of soil …

HLB, irrigation, nutrition

Subirrigation Holds Promise for Citrus Nurseries

Ernie NeffIrrigation, nurseries

Savings in water and fertilizer, along with faster tree growth, can be achieved by using subirrigation in citrus nurseries. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researcher Rhuanito (Johnny) Ferrarezi reported on the studies leading to those conclusions at a recent citrus nursery workshop. The event was held at the Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred, …

CRAFT program

Young Citrus Trees May Benefit from Full Irrigation

Daniel CooperCitrus, Citrus Greening, HLB Management, Industry News Release, Irrigation, Research

Mature citrus trees affected by the bacterial disease huanglongbing (HLB) typically need about 25 percent less irrigation than their healthy counterparts However, that doesn’t necessarily mean young trees with the disease will benefit from water deficits, according to a preliminary greenhouse study by researchers with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). Experiments on 1-year-old orange …

Using Soil Moisture Sensors for Citrus Irrigation

Tacy CalliesIrrigation, Technology

By Arnold Schumann, Laura Waldo, Davie Kadyampakeni, Rhuanito Ferrarezi and Chris Oswalt Florida citrus trees may require irrigation throughout the year due to the extremely sandy soils with low water-holding capacities, and the warm subtropical climate with distinct drought periods in spring. A soil water sensor system can provide the most reliable data for effective citrus irrigation scheduling in these …

irrigation

Citrus Renovation Irrigation Support Program Introduced

Daniel CooperIrrigation

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Office of Agricultural Water Policy has a new citrus cost-share program to assist with irrigation improvements on groves that are being replanted. FDACS announced it has set aside roughly $3 million for the Citrus Renovation Irrigation Support Program (CRISP). The program is designed to be a 75 percent cost share for the …

Modern Irrigation Methods Save California’s Resources

Tacy CalliesCalifornia Corner, Irrigation

By Len Wilcox California’s consistent sunshine makes for long growing seasons and allows tremendous varieties of foods to be grown, but it isn’t a perfect environment. Chronic water shortages create challenges for everything except cactus grown for tequila or jelly — but not many growers specialize in that. The rest of them, including citrus growers, have to deal with water …

Current Considerations for Citrus Irrigation Management

Tacy CalliesIrrigation

Growers can use these tips and tools for trees impacted by HLB and Hurricane Irma. By Davie Kadyampakeni, Kelly Morgan, Mongi Zekri, Rhuanito Ferrarezi, Arnold Schumann and Thomas A. Obreza Water is a limiting factor in Florida citrus production during the majority of the year. This is because of the low water-holding capacity of sandy soils resulting from low clay …

freeze

Irrigation Expected to Save Georgia Trees from Freeze

Ernie Nefffreeze

Most Georgia citrus growers believe microsprinkler irrigation will save their trees from a multi-day freeze that saw temperatures dip into the low 20s Friday morning, said Georgia Citrus Association President Lindy Savelle. “I think we’re going to do fine,” said Savelle, who ran microsprinklers virtually round-the-clock in her south Georgia grove because temperatures never got above 40 for five days …

finger limes

Cultural Practices for Finger Limes

Daniel CooperEvents, Limes

At a recent finger lime field day, horticulturist Tripti Vashisth reported that most citrus rootstocks do well with finger limes. She said that Volkamer lemon and X-639 create the most vigorous trees, and that they and US-812 seem to be promising rootstocks for finger limes. Vashisth is a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) associate professor …

Brazil's

Brazil’s First Forecast for the 2024–25 Citrus Season

Daniel CooperBrazil, Crop Forecast

The 2024–25 orange crop forecast for Brazil’s São Paulo and West-Southwest Minas Gerais citrus belt, published on May 10 by Fundecitrus and its cooperators, is 232.38 million 90-pound boxes. The projected volume represents a significant drop of 24.36% as compared to the previous crop of 307.22 million boxes. VARIETY BREAKDOWN Production by variety is divided as follows (figures in parentheses …

drought stress

Dealing With Drought Stress

Daniel CooperTip of the Week, Weather

By Amir Rezazadeh Citrus trees are not immune to the challenges posed by drought stress. Drought stress occurs when a tree’s water supply falls below its demand, leading to physiological disruptions that can impair growth, development and fruit production. In the dry season, when water scarcity is a prevalent issue in Florida, understanding and managing drought stress in citrus trees …