Proper irrigation and nutrient management are necessary to maximize root density and tree health, especially in trees infected with HLB. Davie Kadyampakeni, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) assistant professor, shared a few irrigation and nutrient research updates during the March episode of the All In For Citrus podcast. IRRIGATION RECOMMENDATIONS Young citrus trees require optimal …
Peru’s Mandarin Exports on the Rise
By Francisco Seva Rivadulla Peru’s mandarin growers are working to build on their export momentum and open new markets. “Negotiations are well advanced with India. The technical part is already finished, such as the phytosanitary registration; only the administrative part is missing,” said Sergio Del Castillo, general manager of the Citrus Producers Association of Peru (ProCitrus). “SENASA (Peru’s National Agrarian …
Managing Citrus Root Pests
Nematologist Larry Duncan discussed efforts to control the root pests sting nematode and Diaprepes root weevil in his presentation during the virtual April 6 Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute. Duncan works at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences’ (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center. The sting nematode and Diaprepes are especially concerning in the age of HLB, …
Everette H. Fischer Remembered
Everette H. Fischer, a citrus grower and former general manager of Winter Garden Citrus Growers Association (WGCGA), died April 5. Fischer, who was born Oct. 9, 1933 in Gotha, Florida, learned the art of citrus caretaking by hand as a young boy working with his uncles. After attending the University of Florida, he worked as a county agent helping farmers …
FDACS Cost-Share Program for Food Safety
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is offering a cost-share program for producers of specialty crops who obtain food-safety certification. Producers who obtained food-safety certification for specialty crop products (fruits, vegetables or tree nuts) through several programs could be eligible for reimbursement of 75% of certification costs, up to $1,500 per producer. Programs include the U.S. Department …
Plan Greasy Spot and Melanose Management
By Megan Dewdney Greasy spot and melanose are two fungal diseases that have long needed the attention of Florida citrus growers. While they are more of a concern for fresh fruit growers, trees for processing can be damaged, too. In terms of management priorities, greasy spot is the greater concern since it reduces tree photosynthetic capacity and causes defoliation. Melanose …
Measuring OJ Marketing Success
For years, the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) measured the success of its orange juice (OJ) marketing programs by comparing year-over-year data, Florida Citrus Commission Chairman Steve Johnson stated in a recent message to growers. The Citrus Commission is the governing board for the FDOC. “Then the (COVID-19) pandemic stopped everyone in their tracks,” Johnson stated. “Suddenly consumers were turning …
Techniques for Improving CUPS-Grown Fruit
For a citrus under protective screen (CUPS) production system to be profitable, the cost of the system must be offset by high yields of premium-quality fresh fruit with strong market prices. Researchers at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) have expanded their CUPS research trials to investigate management strategies that improve fruit quality and yield. …
Soil Moisture Sensor Q&A
By Sandra Guzman Understanding how to obtain and interpret data from soil moisture sensor (SMS) systems is crucial for efficient irrigation management. These systems help create an efficient and informed irrigation schedule based on soil moisture readings collected from the field. Below are answers to some common questions about managing SMS systems, including how to view SMS data on a …
Keeping Weeds in Check
Weeds can reduce citrus growth and production, especially in young trees. A management program should be put in place to control weeds in tree rows to minimize competition with citrus, but it is also important to control weeds in row middles to reduce soil erosion. Weed management can be achieved by utilizing a combination of control practices including but not …
Economically Sustainable Psyllid Control
Spraying for the HLB-spreading Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) is essential for HLB control even when virtually all trees are already infected with the disease. Entomologist Lukasz Stelinski made that declaration early in his virtual presentation at the April 6 Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute. Stelinski is an entomologist at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus …
Trials to Seek Hamlin Alternative
Twenty-four citrus scions were approved by the Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) on March 23 for eventual use in multiple field trials around Florida. The purpose of the trials will be to find an early-season orange that is more tolerant of HLB disease than Hamlin, said CRDF Chief Operating Officer Rick Dantzler. Hamlin has long been the primary early-season …
Managing Pests in a CUPS System
Citrus under protective screen (CUPS) does a great job of safeguarding trees from the HLB-spreading Asian citrus psyllids. However, CUPS does not protect trees from all other pests. The benefits of eliminating HLB are immediate and include rapid, normal tree growth, higher yields of premium-quality fruit and less fruit drop. Since CUPS is a relatively new system, researchers are still …
BMPs: Addressing the Costs and Benefits
Agricultural best management practices (BMPs) are essential to protect Florida’s natural resources by mitigating agriculture’s potential negative impact on the environment. Public benefits of BMP implementation include sustained or improved water quality, reduced soil erosion and increased water conservation. Private benefits can include improved crop yield and reduced input costs from less labor, fuel and fertilizer. “Growers provide a public …
Tweaking the Sunshine for Better Citrus Health and Yield
By Christopher Vincent, Anirban Guha, Joon Hyuk Suh and Yu Wang It may surprise you to learn that citrus trees can get too much sunshine in the Sunshine State. Manipulating the light environment around a plant can have several surprising benefits. Shade can suppress the HLB cycle and enhance citrus health and yield. Overall, a mildly shaded citrus plant is …
Brazil Promotes Sustainable Citriculture
The citrus organization Fundecitrus recently announced a voluntary initiative by citrus growers and the orange juice industry in the São Paulo and West-Southwest Minas Gerais citrus belt of Brazil. The initiative is called Sustainable Citriculture. Fundecitrus President Lourival Carmo Monaco said the citrus sector has already been adopting sustainable standards to be in compliance with rigorous Brazilian commercial, labor and …
South Africa Citrus Exports to Break Record
The South Africa citrus industry will likely break all export season records with an estimated 158.7 million cartons in 2021, the Citrus Growers Association of Southern Africa (CGA) reported recently. If the estimate is reached, it would represent a third consecutive season of record export volumes, with 130 million cartons exported in 2019, followed by 146 million cartons in 2020. …
Dams Needed to Deal With Drought
This year’s La Niña weather event is bringing up bad memories for California citrus growers. The industry suffered during the drought years of 2012 to 2016 and the specter of a repeated drought looms with every dry day. The California Natural Resources Agency addressed drought fears in a recent report prepared by Jeanine Jones, interstate resources manager for the California …
Making Sense of Biologicals: Crop Optimization With Seaweed
Sometimes growers must think outside the box to remain sustainable amid high input costs and devastating diseases. That is the situation facing citrus growers who are struggling to remain viable in the era of citrus greening. What if seaweed could be used to aid in the quality of citrus production? Seaweed is a biostimulant that is part of the biological …
Task Force Recommendations for ACP in Kern County
The San Joaquin Valley ACP/HLB Area-Wide Task Force strongly recommends citrus growers in Kern County, California, to add an Asian citrus psyllid (ACP)-effective material to their pre-bloom or spring foliar treatments. Since ACP build populations on the young leaf flush, the sooner growers spray, the better. Fortunately, this timing coincides with pre-bloom treatments for katydid, worms, thrips and other pests. …