Citrus Industry Weighs In on Oxytetracycline Trunk Injection

Josh McGillHLB Management, Pesticides

Trunk injection of oxytetracycline (OTC) has been proposed as a means to manage HLB in citrus. University of Florida research shows OTC injections increase yield and fruit quality but cause tree injury. TJ BioTech expects to receive EPA registration in late fall of this year for an OTC product that could be injected into trees. Florida citrus industry growers and …

Florida Citrus Commissioners Reappointed

Josh McGillFlorida Citrus Commission, Florida Department of Citrus

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Aug. 5 announced the reappointment of the nine members of the Florida Citrus Commission. They are: CHRISTOPHER GROOMGroom is chief operating officer of Florida’s Natural Growers. He serves as vice president and treasurer of Florida’s Natural Growers Foundation. Groom earned his bachelor’s degree in economics and Hispanic studies from Northwestern University and his master’s degree in …

First U.S. Detection of Citrus Yellow Vein Clearing Virus

Josh McGillCalifornia Corner, Diseases

The first detection of citrus yellow vein clearing virus (CYVCV) has been made in Tulare, California. The disease was detected during the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) routine multi-pest survey. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed positive identifications of the disease. CDFA is surveying for the disease in Tulare County …

Microbiology and Microbes: The Key to Boosting Citrus Productivity

Josh McGillAll In For Citrus Podcast, Sponsored Content

Whether a citrus grove is thriving or not is often based on what is observed above the ground. However, the best measurement of fertility comes from what’s happening below ground—in the soil microbiology. There is a complex community of living organisms, everything from worms and insects to tree roots. One of the most important elements is soil microbes. Soil microbes …

Startups Aim to Aid Citrus Industry

Josh McGillFlorida, Technology

Two University of Florida (UF) startup companies have formed a union to help reverse the trend of declining Florida citrus production. Agriculture Intelligence and Satlantis believe they can offer a powerful tool to help the state’s growers more closely monitor their trees and manage problems faster. The startups, housed in one of UF’s business incubators, will combine expertise in precision …

Hear What’s on Tap for the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo

Josh McGillAll In For Citrus Podcast, Citrus Expo

The Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo is set for Aug. 17–18 in North Fort Myers, Florida. The event, held at the Lee Civic Center, will be a flurry of activity as citrus and specialty crop growers come together to learn, network and see the latest tools of the trade in farming. The latest episode of the All In For Citrus …

California Growers Show Strong Support for Citrus Research Board

Josh McGillCalifornia Corner, Research

California citrus growers recently voted by a large margin to continue their support of the Citrus Research Board (CRB) in a state-mandated referendum. The recently concluded referendum, which must be held every five years, was conducted by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). A majority of eligible citrus producers voted in the referendum. Their support was nearly unanimous …

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All In For Citrus Podcast, July 2022

Josh McGillAll In For Citrus Podcast, Citrus Expo

This month’s All In For Citrus podcast focuses on the upcoming Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo scheduled for Aug. 17–18 at the Lee Civic Center in North Fort Myers, Florida. Michael Rogers, director of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center, said the university’s citrus research team worked hard to develop …

Progress in Developing Improved Citrus Rootstocks to Mitigate HLB

Josh McGillHLB Management, Research, Rootstocks

By Jude Grosser, Manjul Dutt and Fred Gmitter Exploiting citrus genetic diversity is the key to defeating HLB. Plant species have survived for millennia with evolving, hostile pathogens. This is possible through natural selection within genetically diverse populations. Tolerant or resistant individuals survive and intermate, get through the bottleneck, and the species evolves. Current citriculture is based on extremely limited …

Citrus Crop Looks ‘Very Promising’

Josh McGillCold Hardy, Crop Forecast

The sweltering heat being felt across the Southeast has done little to dampen the optimism shared by one citrus grower who believes this year’s crop is “very promising.” Kim Jones, who owns a citrus packing facility in Monticello, Florida, and is part-owner of a similar facility in Tifton, Georgia, discusses the state of this year’s crop in North Florida and …

Protecting Citrus Trees From Heat Stress

Josh McGillTip of the Week, Weather

By Anirban Guha Heat stress could take a toll on citrus tree health and fruit yield. In Florida, the hot season lasts more than four months. Long, hot, oppressive summer days can heat up leaves and fruit and make the trees extra thirsty. Also, high soil evaporation, irregular rainfall and poor soil water-holding capacity can often lead to summer drought …

Unlock Soil Nutrients to Benefit Your Citrus Grove

Josh McGillSponsored Content

Florida citrus growers are facing a rising mound of challenges these days. With citrus greening disease (HLB) devastating groves, low supply, soaring fertilizer prices and a substantial increase in overall production costs, the current odds are stacked high against citrus growers. This is an industry in crisis. Fortunately, science is catching up with new solutions to combat these urgent issues. …

Florida Citrus Industry Conference Draws Record Crowd

Josh McGillAwards, Events, HLB Management

Citrus growers and industry stakeholders gathered in Bonita Springs last week for the Florida Citrus Industry Annual Conference. After being sidelined the previous two years due to COVID-19, the conference drew a record crowd of more than 500 registered attendees. The event, hosted by Florida Citrus Mutual, was packed with educational programming and meetings for various industry groups. The Citrus …

Citrus Industry Priorities Highlighted at GCGA Annual Meeting

Josh McGillEvents, Legislative

Citrus industry growers and allied members of the Gulf Citrus Growers Association (GCGA) gathered in Fort Myers last week for the association’s annual meeting. Matt Joyner, executive vice president/CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual, recapped Florida’s 2022 legislative session and touched on some other priorities during his address to the group. Joyner said the legislative session was a strong one for …

Lebbeck Mealybug on the Move in Florida Groves

Josh McGillAll In For Citrus Podcast, Pests

In the May episode of the All In For Citrus podcast, Lauren Diepenbrock, an entomologist with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), discusses her research on the lebbeck mealybug. The pest was first identified in Florida in the Boynton Beach area in 2009 in a natural habit. “It was not until 2019 that we found …

Sneak Peek: June 2022 Citrus Industry

Josh McGillNutrition, Sneak Peek, soil

In the quest to keep HLB-infected citrus trees productive, many growers are turning to techniques to improve soil health. That’s the focus of the June issue of Citrus Industry magazine. The hope is that better soil health will lead to better tree health. Methods under study include compost, cover crops and oak mulch. Citrus grower and consultant Brad Turner makes …

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All In For Citrus Podcast, May 2022

Josh McGillAll In For Citrus Podcast, Fruit Drop, Research

Fruit drop continues to plague Florida citrus groves. Growers and researchers are seeking ways to mitigate the problem. This was the topic of a number of presentations during the Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute held in Avon Park in April. Michael Rogers, director of the Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred, discusses those presentations during the May All In …

Diagnosing Herbicide Phytotoxicity in Citrus

Josh McGillweeds

By Ramdas Kanissery, Nimal Timilsina and Ruby Tiwari Chemical weed control is an essential component of the toolbox to keep weeds in check in citrus groves. Citrus growers primarily rely on herbicide to manage weeds due to their efficacy and cost-effectiveness. Despite their benefits, herbicides may have a wide range of unintended effects on citrus. For instance, an herbicide-related injury …

Strong Season for Citrus Grower

Josh McGillFresh, Production, Weather

“The local market has improved since last season,” says citrus grower Chip Henry. “I’ve gained customers, and existing ones are buying more. When people know the fruit is being harvested, they seek out that local supply and want to support their local farmers.” Henry grows 12 acres of organic Valencias at McGuire Groves in Apopka, Florida, and sells his fruit …