The Benefits of Growing Citrus on UV-Metalized Reflective Mulch

Josh McGillHLB Management, Research

By Jawwad Qureshi, Lauren Diepenbrock and Davie Kadyampakeni Protecting citrus trees from the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) is critical to reducing the spread and severity of huanglongbing (HLB) or citrus greening disease. ACP, the vector of the pathogen responsible for causing HLB in citrus, needs young shoots to develop and reproduce. The frequent availability of viable shoots in young trees …

Return-on-Investment Potential of CUPS

Josh McGillCUPS, Economics, HLB Management

By Ariel Singerman and Arnold W. Schumann To exclude the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP, Diaphorina citri) vector of huanglongbing (HLB) and thereby produce disease-free healthy fruit, fresh citrus can be grown under protective screen structures. The expected economic benefit from adopting citrus under protective screen (CUPS) and excluding the ACP is increased yield and quality of fruit, which in turn, are …

How to Access CRAFT Grower Data

Josh McGillCRAFT, HLB Management, Research

The Citrus Research and Field Trial Foundation, Inc. (CRAFT) has a website with a public dashboard that houses the data that participating growers have submitted. A recent University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension newsletter included an article describing how to access the data from the CRAFT grower field trials. The article, summarized here, was written …

Accelerating Citrus Breeding Efforts

Josh McGillBreeding

By John M. Chater Professors Jude Grosser and Fred Gmitter have been breeding improved citrus varieties at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) for decades. Over time, they have released several of their advanced selections. Many of these selections are sweet oranges. There is a subset of these creations …

Capitalize on Cooperative Research

Josh McGillResearch, Tip of the Week

By Larry Duncan The growers advising the Citrus Research and Development Foundation understand very well the importance of cooperative research projects between growers and scientists. Several years ago, they earmarked a portion of research funding, not for carefully managed laboratory experiments or small plot trials at state, federal or private research centers, but rather for grower-run trials testing potential HLB …

Albrecht Updates Trunk Injection Research at Citrus Industry Annual Conference

Josh McGillHLB Management

By Frank Giles During the Florida Citrus Industry Annual Conference, Ute Albrecht, a plant physiologist with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), provided an update on her research on the use of oxytetracycline hydrochloride (OTC-HCl) to treat HLB. She began her presentation with some history of OTC-HCl. The compound has been in use since the …

Managing Micronutrients in HLB-Affected Trees

Josh McGillNutrition, Tip of the Week

By Davie Kadyampakeni Nutrients are needed for optimal tree growth, fruit yields and juice quality. Any nutrient deficiencies could result in low yields and decreased revenue, so it is essential to make sure citrus trees receive adequate nutrient supplies at all times. Micronutrients, though required in minute quantities, are especially important for citrus trees impacted by citrus greening. Examples of …

Identifying HLB Therapeutics With CTV-Based Vectors

Josh McGillHLB Management, Research

By Choaa A. El Mohtar Projected citrus production in Florida for the 2022–23 season is less than 20 million boxes. This is more than a 90% decrease compared to the 2003–04 season, which was around 292 million boxes. The main reason for the decrease is huanglongbing (HLB) disease. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus …

Federal Funding for Citrus Includes Boost for Breeding

Josh McGillBreeding, California Corner

California Citrus Mutual (CCM) in mid-June welcomed congressional support for critical federal citrus programs. The programs being supported include the Citrus Health Response Program, the HLB Multi-Agency Coordination Group and an additional $1 million in federal funding for a new citrus breeding program. The House Appropriations Committee has included additional funding for citrus breeding research. The research is intended to …

Grower Achieves High Brix and Stops Drop

Josh McGillFruit Drop, Organic, Production

Low Brix has been a major problem plaguing the Florida citrus industry in recent years. While many growers are struggling to achieve the minimum required Brix level, this has not been an issue for citrus grower Chip Henry. He recently shared how he believes his organic production techniques contribute to high Brix as well as stopping premature fruit drop in …

Safeguarding Citrus From Heat Stress

Josh McGillTip of the Week, Weather

By Amir Rezazadeh Rising temperatures and climate change challenges of recent years have brought a significant threat to citrus trees. Heat stress, caused by prolonged exposure to high temperatures, poses a severe risk to citrus trees. Excessive soil evaporation, inconsistent rainfall and poor soil water-holding capacity can make trees even more sensitive to heat. High temperatures result in shortened internodes, …

Sustaining Citrus With Soil Improvement

Josh McGillCover Crops, HLB Management, Soil Health

By Frank Giles HLB has taken a toll on growers both large and small over the years. That’s been the case with third-generation grower Chuck Bellamy, who grows citrus near Inverness, Florida. His grandparents planted the first trees on the property in 1930. A few of those trees are still alive in the grove nearly 100 years later. Bellamy says …

Sting Nematode Problematic for Young Trees

Josh McGillPests

The sting nematode is the most serious nematode problem in young citrus groves, nematologist Larry Duncan reported at the Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute in April. According to Duncan, long before HLB, the sting nematode was widely encountered in groves on Florida’s Central Ridge and in Polk County. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences professor said tree …

Questions Remain on Cover Crops and Compost

Josh McGillSoil Health

Cover crops and compost can impact soil microbes in citrus groves, and that’s generally considered a good sign, soil microbiologist Sarah Strauss said in a virtual May 24 seminar. Microbes are critical components of soil health through their contributions to soil organic matter, nutrient cycling and plant defenses. But the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) …

Silicon Could Benefit Florida Citrus

Josh McGillNutrition, Production

There has been much focus on the benefits of applications of plant growth regulators like gibberellic acid and 2,4-D, and more recently oxytetracycline hydrochloride to improve the health of citrus trees infected with HLB. Silicon also has been highlighted for its potential benefits to citrus. Mohammad Adnan Shahid, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) assistant professor, …

Long-Term Research Proves CUPS Performance

Josh McGillCUPS, Research

Arnold Schumann, a professor of soil fertility and water quality with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), led the effort to study the effectiveness of citrus under protective screen (CUPS) in protecting trees from HLB. The work resulted in growers having confidence in the practice. Today, Florida CUPS plantings are closing in on 1,000 commercial …

Seminar Speakers Share Latest Citrus Research

Josh McGillEducation, Events, Research

The citrus session at the Florida Grower Citrus Show started off with a special award acknowledgement by Ron Cave, director of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Indian River Research and Education Center (IRREC). Cave recognized Pasco Avery for his induction into the 2022 class of the IPM Hall of Fame from the Southern IPM …

Considerations for High-Density Citrus Plantings

Josh McGillplanting, Tip of the Week

By Amir Rezazadeh Among all the factors that will affect the productivity and profitability of a citrus grove, choosing the optimal tree spacing is crucial. Florida citrus growers are planting trees at significantly higher densities than in the past. Due to negative impacts on plant health following the emergence of huanglongbing (HLB or citrus greening) in Florida, canopy growth substantially …

What’s New in Citrus Breeding?

Josh McGillAll In For Citrus Podcast, Breeding, Varieties

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus plant improvement team joined the All In For Citrus podcast to discuss new varieties and those in the breeding pipeline. Fred Gmitter, professor of horticultural sciences, Jude Grosser, professor of plant cell genetics, and John Chater, assistant professor of horticultural sciences, also discussed how HLB has impacted their …

Fine-Tuning CUPS Production Practices

Josh McGillCUPS, Production

Mixon family members were pioneers in the Florida blueberry industry. Brothers Jerry and Keith Mixon planted their first berries in 1993. Over the years, they grew their business and became worldwide marketers, eventually adding blackberries, raspberries and strawberries to their portfolio. BACK TO CITRUSIn 2011, they sold their berry business to the Dole Food Company. But the brothers still had …