Could Finger Limes Be Florida’s Hero?

Ashley RobinsonAll In For Citrus Podcast, Limes, Research

The Australian finger lime, a citrus relative, could be a new specialty crop for Florida citrus growers. Traditionally, finger limes have remained rare in the United States, grown few and far between. However, the fruit’s unique tolerance to HLB is becoming increasingly attractive to Florida growers. Manjul Dutt, research assistant scientist at the  University of Florida Institute of Food and …

Florida Growers Wanted for Rootstock Trials

Ernie NeffResearch, Rootstocks

The Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) is establishing a new project to evaluate the most promising citrus rootstocks in grower field trials. The rootstock trials are projected to be planted in the spring or summer of 2022. The goal will be to identify plant material with the traits needed for growers to realize the highest possible pound solids per …

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Florida Citrus Industry Continues Decline

Tacy CalliesCitrus Greening

Florida citrus production has decreased for almost two decades. According to Marisa Zansler, director of economic and market research at the Florida Department of Citrus, the two main factors for the state’s steady decline are citrus greening (huanglongbing, known as HLB) and Hurricane Irma. Zansler presented staggering statistics during the Florida Agricultural Policy Outlook Conference on Feb. 26 that showed …

Making Sense of Biologicals: Benefits of Biostimulants

Tacy CalliesBiostimulants, MSOB

Fertilizers help crops reach maximum yields while fungicides prevent diseases. But what if there were products available that could further enhance the fruiting qualities all growers hope to achieve every season? IMPROVED FRUIT PRODUCTIONIf growers can increase the level of flowering hormones in their crops, this will allow for a better fertilization process that will generate improved fruit set and …

Biological Control of the Asian Citrus Psyllid

Tacy CalliesBiologicals

By Jawwad Qureshi Managing the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) is critical because of its role in spreading huanglongbing (HLB). Biological control is one method for ACP control. It is essential for developing integrated and sustainable pest management strategies. Biological control has always been a vital component of citrus pest management in Florida; understanding its contribution to the mortality of ACP …

Sneak Peek: March 2021 Citrus Industry

Tacy CalliesSneak Peek

As growers strive for sustainability in the HLB era, biological controls are playing an increasingly important role in citrus production. The March issue of Citrus Industry magazine features some of the latest biological control research. An article by University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) entomologist Jawwad Qureshi looks at three types of biological control agents used …

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All In For Citrus Podcast, February 2021

Taylor HillmanAll In For Citrus Podcast, Sponsored Content

February’s All In For Citrus podcast brings good news about a new faculty position, an upcoming in-person meeting and Australian finger limes projects to battle HLB and keep growers profitable. After more than a year in the making, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) plans to add a new faculty member in citrus horticulture. Citrus …

New Solution for Fruit Drop?

Ashley RobinsonFruit Drop, Research

Fruit left on the ground is a waste for growers and consumers alike, and Florida’s citrus industry certainly cannot afford to leave any fruit behind. Citrus fruit drop before harvest has been particularly challenging during the 2020-21 Florida growing season. That is why Fernando Alferez, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus horticulturist, is researching strategies …

Coordinated Treatment Planned for California Citrus

Taylor HillmanHLB Management

Citrus growers and industry members recently gathered virtually to discuss the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) and huanglongbing disease (HLB) situation throughout the Central Valley of California. The reason for the concern is a negative trend seen in 2020. ACP DETECTION HISTORYACPs, the vectors for the disease, are widespread in Southern California where HLB-infected trees have been found. There are ongoing …

Cold Hardy Citrus Association Building a Solid Foundation

Tacy CalliesCold Hardy

The Cold Hardy Citrus Association (CHCA), founded in 2017, was established to ensure all growers, large and small, have a unified voice in an emerging industry and to provide education on best management practices in light of HLB. CHCA members include growers, packers, processors, industry suppliers, nurseries, consultants, homeowners and academia representing Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi. Kim Jones …

Foliar Disease Management in 2021

Tacy CalliesDiseases

By Megan Dewdney There were many challenges in 2020, but fortunately the Florida season for foliar citrus diseases was relatively normal. Little to no postbloom fruit drop (PFD) was reported during the 2020 bloom because of a sudden dry spell as the flowers opened. As spring 2021 approaches, the forecast is for a La Niña weather pattern with slightly warmer …

Update on Florida OJ Supply and Demand

Tacy CalliesOrange Juice

In the Feb. 3 Florida Citrus Commission meeting, Marisa Zansler, Florida Department of Citrus director of economic and market research, provided an update on Florida orange juice (OJ) movement and availability. External trends, such as fruit drop and increased demand during the pandemic, may significantly impact the availability of orange juice throughout the season. Coming into the 2020–21 season, beginning …

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ACP Monitoring Efforts in Georgia

Tacy CalliesGeorgia

The citrus industry is expanding in Georgia. With that growth comes the need to slow the spread of the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), the vector of HLB disease. Although not yet found in Georgia’s commercial citrus production, there have been confirmed HLB-positive residential citrus trees. The disease has the potential to greatly hinder the state’s citrus industry. Therefore, University of …

Seminar to Address Fruit Drop Questions

Tacy CalliesFruit Drop

Citrus fruit drop before harvest has been a perennial problem for Florida growers but has been particularly challenging this season. Tripti Vashisth and Fernando Alferez of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) will present their latest research on fruit drop and answer questions from growers in a Zoom seminar on Feb. 16. The seminar is …

Cold Acclimation and Leaf Freezing Temperatures

Tacy CalliesWeather

Citrus Extension agent Chris Oswalt reports the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is determining the acclimation of Florida citrus trees to cold weather by measuring citrus leaf freezing temperatures. “Certain environmental conditions will initiate this acclimation process,” says Oswalt. “These environmental cues will cause physiological changes to occur within the plant that will depress the …

Time to Cut the Dead Wood

Tacy CalliesTip of the Week

By Megan Dewdney, Tripti Vashisth and Lauren Diepenbrock Dead wood has long been challenging for fresh citrus fruit production. Spores in twigs can form which cause blemishing diseases that downgrade fruit for lower profits. More recently, it has come to light that there are horticultural and entomological reasons to remove this wood as well. Many growers are familiar with melanose, …

The Goals of Pest Management

Josh McGillCEU

By Ajia Paolillo Editor’s note: This article grants one continuing education unit (CEU) in the Core category toward the renewal of a Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services restricted-use pesticide license when the accompanying test is submitted and approved. Integrated pest management (IPM) uses a combination of methods to keep pest populations at an acceptable level, which are economical …

App Now Available to Diagnose Citrus Leaf Problems

Tacy CalliesTechnology

Visual identification of nutrient deficiencies and leaf damage is an important diagnostic tool for fine-tuning management of citrus. Arnold Schumann, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) professor, shared how UF/IFAS researchers have used artificial intelligence (AI) to diagnose citrus nutritional deficiencies, diseases and pest damage. According to Schumann, disease and pest symptoms on leaves may cause …

CRDF Selects Rootstocks for Trials

Tacy CalliesCRDF

The Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) directors recently ratified the rootstock selections for the planned rootstock field trials and discussed the organization’s involvement in future research, CRDF Chief Operating Officer Rick Dantzler reported. The board ratified 10 rootstock selections for the new field trials, overseen by CRDF’s Select Committee on Plant Improvement. According to Dantzler, the field trials will evaluate …

Sneak Peek: February 2021 Citrus Industry

Tacy CalliesDiseases, Sneak Peek

While everyone strives to protect themselves from coronavirus disease, growers have an additional concern: protecting their trees from citrus disease. While HLB is of course the most damaging disease of citrus, there are other diseases that should not be overlooked. Disease management is the theme of the February 2021 issue of Citrus Industry magazine. University of Florida Institute of Food …