UF/IFAS

UF/IFAS in Labs, at Citrus Expo and More

Ernie Neff All In For Citrus Podcast, Citrus Expo, Research

In the latest phase of COVID-19 re-openings, more citrus researchers have returned to University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) laboratories. Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) Director Michael Rogers says the number of researchers allowed in labs had been gradually increasing throughout the pandemic. Rogers also discusses an award won by a CREC researcher, work on …

Certis USA Continues Citrus Research Support

Tacy Callies CRDF, Industry News Release, Research

For the fourth consecutive year, Certis USA has donated $20,000 to the Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) to help fund the non-profit’s research aimed at finding a cure for huanglongbing (HLB; citrus greening). The company’s successful “Certis for Citrus” program utilizes sales from their top citrus products to annually support CRDF’s mission. The donation came during CRDF’s board meeting …

varieties

Top Picks From Citrus Variety Display Days

Tacy Callies Citrus, Varieties

By Yu Wang, Fred Gmitter, Jude Grosser, Joon Hyuk Suh and Peter Chaires The Citrus Variety Display Days at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) have been a unique platform to fulfill one of the core missions of the Florida citrus industry. These events help identify new selections with …

soil

CRDF Sets Tax, Discusses Research Plans

Ernie Neff CRDF

The grower assessment to help fund Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) programs will remain at 3 cents per box for the 2020-21 season. CRDF directors, sitting June 23 as the Box Tax Advisory Council, approved the assessment on commercial citrus grown in Florida. “We don’t take for granted that we’re entitled to that money,” CRDF Chief Operating Officer Rick …

The Ins and Outs of Tango

Tacy Callies Varieties

The relatively mild winter conditions over the last two decades have led to a resurgence of interest in cold-hardy citrus in Florida. Growers were looking for a low-seeded citrus variety that was sweet, easy to peel and had moderate cold tolerance. In 2009, the first Florida nurseries were licensed to grow Tango, a low-seeded (less than five seeds per fruit …

Fresh Fruit Packers Announce Partnership

Ernie Neff Fresh, Industry News Release

Florida Classic Growers (FCG) announced a partnership with Riverfront Packing Company, LLC; The Packers of Indian River, Inc. and Quality Fruit Packers, Inc. The additional citrus volume from the partnering companies will expand product offerings and increase distribution to FCG’s customers marketed under the Florida Classic label. Riverfront and its marketing arm, Scott Marketing, Inc., will continue handling all sales …

Citrus Professor Awarded by UF/IFAS Extension Peers

Tacy Callies Awards, Industry News Release

Water is essential to citrus growers. They scrutinize the amount available, its quality and when and how they should use it to grow their trees and sustain their livelihood. Soil and water sciences assistant professor Davie Kadyampakeni works tirelessly with Florida citrus growers to ensure that they have access to the most current research in water use and soil nutrient …

march

All In For Citrus Podcast, June 2020

Taylor Hillman All In For Citrus Podcast

Listen to the June episode of the All In For Citrus podcast to hear a bit of breaking news as well as updates on two research projects with exciting potential. Citrus Research and Education Center Director Michael Rogers learned just hours before the recording of this episode that the University of Florida was moving forward with phase three of reopening …

Summer Tree Care Practices to Improve Fruit Quality and Yield

Tacy Callies Citrus, Production

By Fernando Alferez and Tripti Vashisth As summer approaches and citrus trees bear developing fruit, growers can engage in several practices to improve fruit quality and yield. As temperatures rise and daylength increases, conditions are conducive for enhanced photosynthesis and accumulation of soluble sugars in the fruit. It is important to note that, in general, the temperature is negatively correlated …

Cost-Effective Psyllid Control Strategies

Ernie Neff Psyllids

Lukasz Stelinski makes the case that reducing HLB-spreading Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) populations improves tree health — even when trees already have HLB. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) entomologist offers several tips about psyllid control in a new presentation available online. Keeping ACP populations down seems to help yield, Stelinski states. His hypothesis is …

Fruit Drop of Citrus in Summer Months

Tacy Callies Production, Research

By Tripti Vashisth, Megan Dewdney and Lauren Diepenbrock This article summarizes what is known about summer fruit drop in healthy citrus trees and those with huanglongbing (HLB). Also discussed is how HLB can affect early fruit development and exacerbate fruit drop. Additionally, strategies to reduce summer fruit drop are included. Citrus flowers profusely, but less than 2 percent of the …

More CRAFT Plantings to Come

Ernie Neff planting, Research

A second phase of government-supported HLB research projects in Florida’s commercial groves is expected to be initiated this year by the Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) Foundation. A first phase, in which participating growers must have trees in the ground before June 30, saw growers signing up for 46 projects on 2,032 acres. Learn more about the first phase …

Antibiotics Used in Citrus

Tacy Callies Bactericides

A new University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension document, Antibiotics in Crop Production, was published in May by Leigh Archer, Ute Albrecht and Pamela Roberts. The authors found that the use of antibiotics has resulted in the successful control of bacterial diseases in some crops but not in others. The publication includes research information on antibiotics …

Cover Crops Benefit California Citrus Grower

Len Wilcox California Corner, Cover Crops

A California citrus grower says he has substantially increased water retention and decreased irrigation usage by planting cover crops. Chris Sayer, of Petty Ranch, says he has added about 3 percent organic content to his soil, which has reduced irrigation water usage from 2 acre feet to 1.25 to 1.5 acre feet. Sayer is a fifth-generation Ventura County farmer. He …

Trunk Injection Considerations

Ernie Neff CEU, Research

A presentation titled “Trunk Injection: Difficulties and Considerations” is one of the first from the cancelled 2020 Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute to become available online. The annual event was cancelled because of COVID-19. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is working to make additional presentations that were intended for the Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute available …

Malcolm Manners: Model Professor, Admired Mentor

Tacy Callies Citrus

In college, Malcolm Manners saw his share of “really good” and “really bad” professors. When he decided to become a professor himself, he tried to use the best ones as his pattern. “They could catch a student’s interest and educate rather than preach,” he recalls. Manners just began his 40th year as an educator at Florida Southern College (FSC) in …

Lessons Learned From Rootstock Field Trials

Tacy Callies Research, Rootstocks

By Bill Castle “The notion that field trial data are of little value in the early years and trials must run for 15 years is outdated.”  [Lesson 7] “Our new website provides the grower community with user-friendly access to our collective decades of rootstock trial data…” [Lesson 9] Those are two of many lessons shared in a recent article authored …

CRAFT Growers Planting 2,032 Florida Citrus Acres

Ernie Neff planting, Research

Florida growers have signed up for 46 HLB research projects representing 2,032 acres through the Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) Foundation, Executive Director Kristen Carlson reported recently. Solid-set projects account for 1,641 acres; resets for 391 acres. “Some growers have more than one project,” Carlson said. The CRAFT Foundation was organized last year to administer a program aimed at …

Reduce Fruit Drop, Increase Yield

Tacy Callies Industry News Release, Production, Research

University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus scientists Tripti Vashisth and Fernando Alferez are trying to reduce the amount of fruit drop from Hamlin and Valencia trees prior to harvest. If fruit drops, growers can’t harvest it, and that leads to losses for farmers and less fruit at the market for consumers. Normally, about 10 to …

Sneak Peek: June 2020 Citrus Industry Magazine

Tacy Callies Sneak Peek

Florida’s citrus harvest may be winding down for the season, but tree care continues year-round. The June issue of Citrus Industry magazine includes two timely articles on summer tree care practices. In the first article, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers Fernando Alferez and Tripti Vashisth discuss techniques to improve fruit quality and yield during …