HLB

Florida’s Citrus Industry: A Balanced Perspective

Ernie NeffHLB Management

The Washington Post recently published a “well-balanced article” about Florida’s citrus industry, telling its woes as well as progress against HLB, says Michael Rogers. “We hosted a reporter from the Washington Post back in July of this year,” says Rogers, director of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center. “I think …

A Closer Look at CUPS-Grown Grapefruit

Tacy CalliesCUPS, Grapefruit

By Arnold Schumann, Ariel Singerman and Yu Wang Grapefruit production in Florida has been drastically reduced by huanglongbing (HLB) disease, from 40.9 million boxes in 2003–04 to 4.5 million boxes in 2018–19, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Grapefruit varieties are particularly vulnerable to HLB due to cumulative losses from stunted tree growth, low fruit yield, high-percentage fruit drop, …

varieties

Grower Likes UF Mandarin Varieties

Ernie NeffVarieties

Dozens of Florida citrus growers and other industry members sampled new University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus varieties Nov. 14. The samplers tasted many pieces of fruit as well as some juice from new fruit at the Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) in Lake Alfred. Those participating in the sampling carried clipboards with lists …

grapefruit

Varieties Update: OLL-20 and Bingo

Ernie NeffVarieties

Fred Gmitter provided an update at Citrus Expo on University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus varieties, including OLL-20 and Bingo. Gmitter is a UF/IFAS citrus plant breeder and geneticist at the Citrus Research and Education Center. Gmitter said OLL-20, a new sweet orange, has “exceptional flavor characteristics … It looks to be something that could …

citrus

Sample the Latest Citrus From UF/IFAS

Daniel CooperIndustry News Release

(UF/IFAS) — As citrus growers, packers, processors, gift-fruit shippers and others taste, feel and smell the latest varieties from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), they hope their taste buds explode with flavor and that a fresh aroma fills the room at the Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC). These participants will get two more …

agricultural water

Citrus Rootstock Guide Updates Available Online

Daniel CooperIndustry News Release, Rootstocks

(UF/IFAS) — Florida’s citrus growers may now access the updated Florida Citrus Rootstock Selection Guide, which is more user- and mobile-friendly. Revisions include current University of Florida rootstock horticultural traits, three new rootstocks that tolerate citrus greening and an updated bibliography. “The fourth edition of the Florida Citrus Rootstock Selection Guide has a new look and information for a comprehensive description …

CUPS

CUPS: Favorite Varieties to Grow

Ernie NeffCUPS

After five years of growing citrus under protective screen (CUPS), Arnold Schumann has named Ray Ruby grapefruit and Honey Murcott tangerine as his favorite varieties to grow in the system. Schumann is a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researcher at the Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) in Lake Alfred. He addressed the topic of …

nutrition

Nutrition and Fruit Display Meetings Met With Success

Ernie NeffNutrition

Grower turnout at recent citrus nutrition meetings and a fruit display exceeded University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) expectations, says Michael Rogers. Rogers, director of the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC), also provides an update on the search for a new member of the UF/IFAS plant breeding team. Rogers says attendance at meetings where …

citrus

All In For Citrus Podcast, October 2019

Taylor HillmanAll In For Citrus Podcast

October’s All In For Citrus podcast includes something new — a California guest! First, events providing growers with starter nutrition sampling kits went so well this month that an extra event has been added for next month, reports Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) Director Michael Rogers. Another well-attended event that he discusses was the CREC Plant Improvement Team’s first …

More on the UF Citrus Nutrition Program

Ernie NeffAll In For Citrus Podcast, Nutrition

At Citrus Expo, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) introduced a new Citrus Nutrition Program to help growers ensure their trees are getting the proper nutrition. Tripti Vashisth, UF/IFAS horticulturist at the Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC), provides more information about the effort. “We have learned the past few years that citrus nutrition can …

Grower Appreciates Nutrition Test Kit

Ernie NeffNutrition

Lake Wales citrus grower Marshall Hartley left a recent meeting at the Citrus Research and Education Center with a box containing nutrition sampling materials for his small grove. His was one of 31 boxes passed out as part of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences’ (UF/IFAS) Citrus Nutrition Management Program. More growers will pick up boxes …

guide

Production Guide: What’s New

Ernie NeffProduction

The three editors of the new Florida Citrus Production Guide recently told growers at a meeting in Sebring what’s new in the guide this year. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) produced the guide. Megan Dewdney, a UF/IFAS plant pathologist, addresses new information provided about diseases. New items include the addition of a chemical for …

nutrition

Rogers on Planting, Production Guide and More

Ernie Neffplanting

Michael Rogers, director of the Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC), discusses the new Florida Citrus Production Guide, tree planting decisions, fruit displays and plans for hiring a new horticulturist. The CREC is a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) facility. Rogers says the recently released production guide for growers “was a hot commodity this year …

nutrition

Nutrition Kits to Help Citrus Growers

Daniel CooperIndustry News Release, Nutrition

Florida’s citrus growers can soon get additional help in managing citrus greening through the newly developed University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Nutrition Program. The basis for the program is to improve the overall health and productivity of citrus groves affected by citrus greening disease by refining production practices; in particular, adjusting fertilization programs. Growers …

june

All In For Citrus Podcast, September 2019

Taylor HillmanAll In For Citrus Podcast

September’s All In for Citrus Podcast includes some exciting updates from University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers. First, Michael Rogers, director of the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC), discusses several topics. Included are the new Florida Citrus Production Guide, tree planting decisions, fruit displays and the planned hiring of a new horticulturist at …

Research on Shade Benefits and Growing Better Bingo

Ernie NeffCitrus, Research

Money provided by the Florida Legislature allows research into the positive impact of shade on trees, Bingo tree dieback and additional areas not funded by other sources. “The University of Florida (UF) each year gets legislative appropriations from the state, and these are Citrus Initiative legislative funds,” says Michael Rogers, director of the Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC). The …

citrus greening

Researchers to Look Deeper Into HLB Management

Tacy CalliesHLB Management, Research

By Karla Arboleda University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researchers are getting ready to conduct several trials on tools used to protect young citrus trees from HLB. The team of five researchers will receive $665,471 in funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for experiments at the Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) in Lake Alfred. Lauren …

podcast

Nutrient Sampling to Be Funded by UF/IFAS

Ernie NeffNutrition

A University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) official announced at Citrus Expo that UF/IFAS will fund “starter kits” for nutrient sampling. Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) Director Michael Rogers says the kits will allow for leaf and soil sampling in a 20-acre block for a year. Growers can get the starter kits at meetings slated …

Students Learn About Citrus at Youth Day

Ernie NeffCitrus

Jazlyn Sanchez and Alexander Garzon, attendees at the June Citrus Youth Day, talk with Citrus Industry Editor Tacy Callies about their experience. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences event was held at the Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred. “This is actually my third year at the event,” says Sanchez, a 10th grader. “I’m …

guide

Latest Citrus Production Guide to Be Unveiled at Citrus Expo

Daniel CooperCitrus Expo, Industry News Release, Production

The latest technical advice on citrus greening disease, tree nutrition, grove management and other aspects of Florida citrus cultivation will reach growers Aug. 14–15, as the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) unveils the newest edition of its annual guide at the 2019 Citrus Expo. Known as the “Florida Citrus Production Guide 2019–2020,” the 275-page document …