A presenter at the recent Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo said oxytetracycline (OTC) trunk injections improved fruit quality in several citrus scions that were studied. The presenter was John Chater, assistant professor and citrus genetic improvement horticulturist with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center. Chater opened his presentation with these …
Expo Delivers Research Updates and Practical Tools for Growers
By Michael E. Rogers The 2025 Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo took place Aug. 20–21 at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. The event brought growers, researchers and industry professionals together for two full days of education and discussion. This year’s program featured what may have been a record number of University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences …
All In For Citrus Podcast, August 2025
The August All In For Citrus podcast features seminar recaps from the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo, which was held this month at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. The event included an extensive citrus educational program with more than 20 presentations. Michael Rogers, director of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and …
Citrus Grower Information Meetings Set for September
Florida Citrus Mutual (FCM) will be holding a series of grower meetings around the state to provide citrus producers with the latest information on various funding and programs available to assist their operations. The meetings will take place at 10:30 a.m. as follows: Mike Joyner, FCM executive vice president and chief executive officer, will begin the meetings with an update …
UF/IFAS To Share the Latest Research at the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo
By Jamie D. Burrow and Tripti Vashisth There are many aspects to research from start to finish, but it’s the time in between that can be most intriguing and exciting. Each year, the UF/IFAS Citrus Team brings the latest research to the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo. The Aug. 20–21 trade show at the Florida State Fairgrounds will be your …
CUPS Performance Continues to Shine
Citrus under protective screen (CUPS) performance in Florida got a big thumbs up from researcher Arnold Schumann in a virtual presentation on Aug. 7. Schumann, a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences professor, reported on findings from his research at the Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) as well as commercial CUPS in Florida. Schumann’s summary of …
Research Renders Reasons to Replant
By J. Scott Angle, jangle@ufl.edu, @IFAS_VP Growing up in Polk County, Emily Worbington saw the groves disappearing. She passed more and more rooftops as she drove around Auburndale. In nearby Eagle Lake, Joe Volpe watched trees vanish, too. In fact, he tore out trees himself in his family’s century-old grove. “It broke my heart,” he says. PERSONAL PURSUITSWorbington and Volpe’s …
Best Practices for Brown Rot Management
By Megan Dewdney The Florida rains have finally come this summer, just in time for early-season fruit to start the maturation process. This means there is some risk of brown rot in early sweet oranges and grapefruit. Much of Florida has been getting summer storms, wetting the soil. While this is excellent in general, the downside is that it allows …
Recommendations for Oxytetracycline Injections
Three University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers recently issued the document Suggested Use Pattern of Injectable Antimicrobials for Huanglongbing (HLB) Management. The authors are Ute Albrecht, associate professor of horticulture; Ozgur Batuman, associate professor of plant pathology; and Megan Dewdney, associate professor of plant pathology. The antimicrobials for Florida citrus are ReMedium TI and Rectify; …
Rootstocks for Improved Tolerance to HLB
By Lamiaa Mahmoud and Manjul Dutt Utilizing tolerant rootstocks to combat HLB is a long-term management strategy that can help sustain productivity and enhance tree survival, especially when implemented alongside other HLB management approaches. Australian limes are tolerant to HLB, and their DNA can be incorporated into HLB-susceptible citrus using conventional breeding methods to enhance tolerance to HLB. Over the …
Consider Summer Gibberellic Acid Applications
By Tripti Vashisth, Maricielo Postillos and Taylor Livingston In recent years, many citrus growers in Florida have begun using gibberellic acid (GA) to enhance tree growth and productivity. Initially, the recommendation was to apply GA monthly from September to January for Valencia oranges to maintain canopy health, reduce fruit drop and improve yields. However, some growers are hesitant about applying …
All In For Citrus Podcast, May 2025
The May All In For Citrus podcast features highlights from a recent OJ Break hosted by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) in Lake Alfred. Podcast host Frank Giles caught up with Michael Rogers, CREC director, during the event. Rogers summarized some of the information presented at the OJ …
Bridging the Gap to the Tree of the Future
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center hosted an OJ Break seminar on May 14. The speakers provided updates on developing a gene-edited citrus tree with resistance to HLB and how growers can use existing tools to mitigate the disease. Nian Wang, UF/IFAS professor, provided an update on the status of …
CUPS: Pest Monitoring and Management
By Jawwad A. Qureshi Several insect pests and mites colonize citrus crops in traditional open orchards. Most pests are localized and are suppressed by predators, parasitoids and entomopathogens to levels that are not economically damaging to the crops. The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) is the primary vector of huanglongbing (HLB) disease. Despite biological and chemical control of ACP, growing a …
Nitrogen Reduction Needed in Cold-Hardy Citrus Region
Growers in the cold-hardy citrus region are applying too much nitrogen to their groves. Muhammad Shahid, assistant professor of horticulture at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), discovered that unfortunate reality while conducting a research project in North Florida. Most citrus growers were following recommendations in the UF/IFAS Florida Citrus Production Guide, which are mostly …
Improving Diaprepes Root Weevil Management
By Maegan Beatty During a recent citrus insect management workshop at the Citrus Research and Education Center, Larry Duncan, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences professor, addressed diaprepes root weevil management. This Caribbean pest was introduced to Florida in the 1960s. The adult pests feed and lay eggs in citrus tree canopies. The larvae feed on roots …
Irrigation Comparison for Young HLB Trees
By Davie Kadyampakeni, Kondwani Kamsikiri and Alisheikh Atta Water scarcity is one of the major constraints in Florida citrus production systems, primarily due to erratic rainfall patterns and the low water- and nutrient-holding capacity of the predominantly sandy soils. The state’s soils contain more than 95% sand and have low organic matter (<1%) and very low water-holding capacity. These challenges …
Options for Dooryard Citrus Trees
Citrus trees used to be a common site around Florida homes, but diseases like canker and greening have diminished residents’ ability to enjoy these iconic trees. Despite the challenges, people from Florida and across the country contact citrus nurseries this time of year, seeking to purchase trees for their yards and/or homes. It’s a passion, say nursery owners and University …
Combine Proven Horticultural Practices to Combat HLB
By Tripti Vashisth and Prudhvi Vulchi To mitigate the effects of huanglongbing (HLB) on tree health and productivity, growers are encouraged to adopt proven horticultural practices. Based on recent field trials at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC), one effective approach combines frequent irrigation (FI), plant growth regulators (PGRs) …
PIECES OF THE PAST: Polk County Roots Run Deep
By Brenda Eubanks Burnette I was honored this year to be part of the Vero Heritage Center and Indian River Citrus Museum’s “Deeply Rooted” event, which was the kick-off for Indian River County’s Centennial Celebration. It made me think of this year’s Florida Citrus Hall of Fame inductees. They all have something in common with deep roots — Polk County! …





























