citrus greening

HLB Slowed by Biocontrol

Ernie NeffHLB Management

Florida citrus growers may have a new tool to help them slow the presence of HLB in already diseased trees, courtesy of researchers at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). The researchers found that injecting a benign Xylella fastidiosa EB92-1 bacteria biocontrol into infected citrus trees over a period of six years reduced the incidence …

Growers Discuss Fruit Drop and More

Ernie NeffFruit Drop

Fruit drop, drought, fruit quality, production costs, deer and Diaprepes root weevil were among problems that bothered Peace River Valley Citrus Growers Association (PRVCGA) members in the 2020-21 season. Those were the issues raised by panelists at a PRVCGA grower roundtable luncheon on May 4 in Hardee County, Florida.   “The fruit drop has been the biggest problem this year,” …

How Artificial Intelligence Can Enhance the Citrus Industry

Tacy CalliesTechnology

By Yiannis Ampatzidis Artificial intelligence (AI) is a promising area in computer science, automation, robotics and agriculture. AI describes the capability of a machine to imitate intelligent human behavior and mimic cognitive functions such as learning and problem-solving. Machine learning, which is an application of AI, is based on the idea that a machine, such as a computer or microcontroller, …

Updating Guidelines for New Plantings

Ashley RobinsonAll In For Citrus Podcast, HLB Management, Research

Researchers at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) are taking a whole-systems approach to update current recommendations for new plantings. A research project, “Establishing Healthy Citrus Plantings in the Face of Persistent HLB Pressure,” is led by UF/IFAS entomologist Lauren Diepenbrock. According to Diepenbrock, current guidelines were created pre-HLB and therefore are out of date …

citrus acreage decline

Grower Instigates Sap Analysis Research

Ernie NeffNutrition

Indian River area citrus grower Cody Estes provided the impetus for an upcoming research project into the use of sap analysis for monitoring citrus tree nutrient levels. The analysis method has been used in other crops. Advocates declare it to be a relatively inexpensive way to quickly determine nutrient status so growers can make corrections before nutrient excess or deficiency …

Herbicide Adjuvants in Citrus Weed Control

Tacy Calliesweeds

By Ramdas Kanissery Adjuvants (derived from Latin, adiuvare: to aid or help) are materials added into an herbicide spray solution that improve handling, performance and crop safety. To be effective, an herbicide must overcome certain environmental and biological obstacles before entering and acting in the weeds. For example, environmental conditions like hot and dry weather will result in a thicker …

Making Sense of Biologicals: Crop Optimization With Seaweed

Tacy CalliesBiostimulants, MSOB

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 …

Irrigation and Nutrition Management in the Era of HLB

Ashley RobinsonIrrigation, Nutrition

A solid nutrition and irrigation program can enhance the productivity of HLB-affected trees and improve citrus tree health, potentially making production profitable even under HLB conditions. This was the subject of Davie Kadyampakeni’s talk during a March 9 OJ Break virtual meeting held for citrus growers. Kadyampakeni is a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) assistant …

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 …

Nutrition Basics for North Florida Citrus Growers

Ernie NeffNutrition

An article in the January Cold Hardy Citrus Connection newsletter offered basic nutrition management information for North Florida growers. It was written by Lisa Strange with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Taylor County Extension and Clay Olson, UF/IFAS Extension faculty, emeritus. A grower’s first nutrient management consideration is to have a soil test, the …

Making Sense of Biologicals: Interest Increasing in Biologicals

Tacy CalliesBiologicals, MSOB

By Clint Thompson Increased interest in biologicals stems from their long-term sustainability and the belief that synthetic materials have reached their ceiling of productivity. Tate McPherson, vice president of marketing and business development at Douglas Plant Health (DPH), shares those sentiments about biologicals, which represent a group of products derived from living organisms. Farmers utilize these environmentally friendly products in …

Pieces of the Past: Waverly’s Window

Tacy CalliesPieces of the Past

By Brenda Eubanks Burnette I grew up in Winter Haven and have driven by Waverly Growers Cooperative countless times when traveling around Polk County. But I never knew that at one time there was a formal garden and picnic grounds adjacent to the Waverly Welcome House.  Founded in 1914 by a group of local growers led by Charles Hillery Walker …

High-Tech Scouting in Citrus Production

Tacy CalliesTechnology

By Yiannis Ampatzidis and Tara Wade Traditional sensing technologies in citrus production for pest and disease detection and field phenotyping rely on manual sampling, which is time consuming and labor intensive. Since availability of personnel trained for field scouting is a major problem, small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with various sensors and artificial intelligence (AI) can simplify the surveying …

Pesticide Storage Area

Proper storage of pesticides

expoadminCEU

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. Pesticides are widely used in the citrus industry and are important tools in agricultural production. Safety precautions should be taken …

Enhancing Soil Health With Cover Crops

Tacy CalliesCover Crops, Soil Improvement

By Sarah Strauss, Antonio Castellano-Hinojosa, Davie Kadyampakeni, Ramdas Kanissery and Tara Wade Soil health is generally synonymous with soil quality and refers to the capacity of a soil to sustain biological productivity, maintain environmental quality and promote plant health. Soils are complicated ecosystems, and discussions of soil health must consider the links between soil functions and soil-based ecosystem services, such …

irrigation

Irrigation Scheduling to Optimize Tree Performance

Tacy CalliesIrrigation, Tip of the Week

By Davie Kadyampakeni Proper irrigation scheduling applies an appropriate volume of water to a citrus grove at the appropriate time based on tree need, soil properties and weather conditions. Applying water in the right amount, right quantity and at the right time is very important for getting the best out of citrus trees. Several tools are available for determining when …

Get the Science on Climate Change

Ernie NeffWeather

“Our climate is changing and, with that, comes more extreme events,” said Ashley Smyth, an assistant professor of soil and water science at the Tropical Research and Education Center in Homestead. The center is part of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). “Just look at the most recent hurricanes. As they cross the Gulf, they …

Artificial Intelligence System Wins UF Honors

Ernie NeffAwards, Technology

UF Innovate | Tech Licensing recently recognized an artificial intelligence (AI) system known as Agroview as a UF Invention of the Year. The AI system was invented by Yiannis Ampatzidis and his research team at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Southwest Florida Research and Education Center (SWFREC). The system utilizes images from drones and satellites …

citrus greening

Use More Micronutrients for HLB

Ernie NeffNutrition

HLB-affected citrus trees benefit from micronutrients at higher-than-recommended rates, Tripti Vashisth reported in a virtual Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute presentation. Vashisth, a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researcher, said that a 20 percent higher-than-recommended rate of micronutrients can improve productivity in trees with HLB. The Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute is normally held in Avon Park in …

stormwater

BMPs Impacted by New Florida Water Act

Ernie NeffBMPs

Florida’s new Clean Waterways Act impacts agricultural landowners and producers enrolled in the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Best Management Practices (BMPs) program. The act went into effect July 1. FDACS is required to undertake implementation verification (IV) site visits on properties enrolled in the BMP program every two years. During these IV site visits, FDACS Office …