Products Proven to Help With HLB

Josh McGillHLB Management, Research

Researchers offered updates on products proven to help against the devastating citrus disease HLB in a virtual seminar on April 27. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences horticulturists Tripti Vashisth and Fernando Alferez discussed the benefits of gibberellic acid (GA) and brassinosteroids, respectively. Vashisth reported that GA-treated Valencia orange trees dropped less fruit and increased fruit yields …

Florida Grower Citrus Show Agenda Set

Ernie NeffAll In For Citrus Podcast, Events

Researchers Mark Ritenour and Sandra Guzmán with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) outline the agenda for the Florida Grower Citrus Show on Jan. 26-27 in Fort Pierce. Ritenour and Guzmán, both of the UF/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center, will be presenters at the show. Ritenour will discuss maximum residue tolerances for fruit …

Researchers Share Tree Health Suggestions

Ernie NeffHLB Management

University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers gave a crowd of growers suggestions that can help keep citrus trees healthy. The panel discussion was part of the Nov. 16 open house and field day at the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred. HLB-affected trees need enhanced nutrition “throughout the growing season,” said horticulturist …

nutrition

Open Conversation, Hands-On Exhibits and Field Tours

Ernie NeffAll In For Citrus Podcast, Events

Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) Director Michael Rogers previews the Nov. 16 Open House/Field Day at the CREC in Lake Alfred. The CREC is part of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). The program will begin at 9 a.m. “It starts off with a panel discussion, talking about strategies to improve overall health of …

April

All In For Citrus Podcast, October 2021

Tacy CalliesAll In For Citrus Podcast

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus breeding team discusses development of new varieties and rootstocks in the October episode of the All In For Citrus podcast. But before that discussion begins, Michael Rogers, UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) director, has the details on two upcoming events, including one in which growers can …

marketing

Forecast Surprises Citrus Association Executive

Ernie NeffCrop Forecast

Ray Royce, executive director of Highlands County Citrus Growers Association, was surprised that the initial Florida orange forecast for the 2021-22 season was only 47 million boxes. “I had hoped we’d be a lot closer to what our final numbers were from last year,” he said. Actual production in 2020-21 was 52.8 million boxes. The crop forecast was issued by …

HLB Research Is Focus of Short Videos

Ernie NeffHLB Management

Two short videos about HLB-related research were available at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) booth at Citrus Expo in August. The videos are available online for viewing. UF/IFAS researcher Tripti Vashisth narrated the video, HLB-Associated Preharvest Fruit Drop. She said up to 40% of fruit can drop from mildly HLB-symptomatic trees shortly before harvest, …

Sneak Peek: October 2021 Citrus Industry

Tacy CalliesSneak Peek

Citrus growers need both quantity and quality for a successful crop. As HLB continues to negatively impact both these factors, growers are seeking strategies to safeguard their fruit. The October issue of Citrus Industry magazine presents ideas for enhancing fruit quality and quantity.   University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers Tripti Vashisth and Christopher Vincent …

Keep Citrus Trees Hydrated

Tacy CalliesIrrigation, Tip of the Week

Frequent irrigation with good quality water can improve fruit growth and development and overall productivity. By Tripti Vashisth HLB-affected citrus trees have small and weak root systems. Though the roots are efficient in taking up water and nutrients, there are not sufficient roots to support the tree’s canopy requirement. Therefore, the trees often experience water and nutrient deficit. Not all …

psyllids

Control of Citrus Flush Timing Could Improve Psyllid Control

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

They say timing is everything in life, and that’s certainly true of the Asian citrus psyllid, which has devastated Florida agriculture for the past decade by transmitting citrus greening disease, also known as huanglongbing or HLB. To reproduce, this small, flying insect must lay eggs on citrus “flush” – the tender new leaves and shoots that citrus trees produce several …

Plant Biostimulants — Snake Oils or Beneficial Substances?

Tacy CalliesBiostimulants

By Ute Albrecht and Sarah Strauss Recent years have seen an explosion of products termed “biostimulants” as alternatives to traditional chemical products to improve plant growth and productivity, and to enhance the sustainability of agricultural systems. Although there is currently no legal definition of biostimulants, they are usually defined as “substance(s) and/or microorganisms that when applied to plants or the …