A pest problem in citrus under protective screen (CUPS), heat stress guidance, and Citrus Expo news headline the July episode of the All In For Citrus podcast. Citrus Research and Education Center Director Michael Rogers begins the episode with an overview of the seminars at this year’s Citrus Expo. He said his University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural …
Citrus Juice Proven to Aid Immune System
A new research review, published in Frontiers in Immunology, has found that a glass of citrus juice contains key nutrients and bioactive substances that help human immune systems work efficiently. Scientists examined evidence from nearly 200 different studies and reports. They concluded that vitamin C, folate and polyphenol compounds in citrus juice can impact immune health, fight inflammation and improve …
Cutrale Achieves Sustainability Gold Score
Cutrale recently announced it has achieved a gold score in sustainability for all its orange farms in Brazil and the United States. The award is from the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (SAI) – Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA), a widely recognized sustainability standard. The FSA was developed by the SAI to enable food and beverage businesses from all crops and countries to …
Turkey Orange Production Is Down
Orange production in Turkey is estimated to decrease 1.3 million metric tons for 2020-21, a drop of 23% from the prior season. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS) blamed the decrease on excessive hot weather conditions during the bloom period in May 2020. High price increases continue for input costs such as electricity, fertilizer and chemicals. “Fertilizer …
Grapefruit Making Strides in South Africa
The production of grapefruit in South Africa is estimated to increase by 8% in 2020-21 from the prior year, to 373,000 metric tons, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS) reported in June. The area planted to grapefruit is expected to increase by 5% to 8,700 hectares. The predominant variety planted in South Africa is the Star Ruby, …
What To Do About Algal Spot
By Megan Dewdney I did not need to visit my field trial to know that algal spot was in bloom on citrus in the last month. I have received many phone calls about it recently as growers notice the bright orange doughnuts on their tree limbs. For those unfamiliar with algal spot, it is a disease that occurs mostly on …
South Africa Orange Production to Increase
Orange production in South Africa is expected to increase by 2%, to 1.65 million metric tons, in the 2020-21 marketing year. This production estimate was reported in June by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS). The area in South Africa planted with oranges is estimated to grow by 3%, to 46,000 hectares. Increases in the amount of …
PIECES OF THE PAST: Orange Guards
By Brenda Eubanks Burnette We received a request for information several months ago from researcher/historian Jono Miller regarding an old production practice of leaving cabbage palms in citrus groves as “orange guards.” The trees helped protect groves from freezing due to the creation of a canopy to keep the heat from the land rising during cold weather. In his new …
Making Sense of Biologicals: Improve Fruit Size and Quality
Citrus growers need as many tools in their toolbox as possible. With the Florida citrus industry decimated in recent years, mainly due to citrus greening disease, growers are exploring all options to help them succeed. CYAN 365®, a biostimulant from C Green Ag Biotechnology, is one tool that has proven to help enhance the quality and size of citrus crops, …
Varieties for the Indian River Region
In response to HLB, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus breeding program is focused on developing improved varieties and rootstocks for sustainable and profitable production. Rootstock and scion performance trials have been established throughout the state. UF/IFAS citrus breeder Fred Gmitter touched on some of the experimental trials being done in Florida’s Indian River …
Mexico Could Increase Organic Citrus Production
By Francisco Seva Rivadulla Citrus growers in Mexico are beginning to explore types of production that are more respectful of the environment and associated with a healthier lifestyle, including organic production. “The organic citrus sector is still small, as its market share does not reach 5%, but gradually foreign demand is causing organic citrus to have an increasing presence in …
Court Rejects EPA’s Aldicarb Approval
The federal Court of Appeals in the District of Columbia on June 7 rejected the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) approval of the pesticide aldicarb on Florida oranges and grapefruit, the Center for Biological Diversity reported. The ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed in March by farmworker and conservation groups after the EPA approved the use of up to …
PIECES OF THE PAST: Protecting and Preserving Indian River Citrus
By Brenda Eubanks Burnette I was recently at the Indian River Citrus Museum in Vero Beach for the dedication of its Florida Citrus Crate Label Trail. The visit made me think back to the early 90s when I was selling citrus label calendars for the museum’s gift shop to Millie Bunnell, who was the director there at the time. She …
NOAA Predicts Above-Normal Hurricane Season
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted another above-normal Atlantic hurricane season. Forecasters predict a 60% chance of an above-normal season, a 30% chance of a near-normal season and a 10% chance of a below-normal season. However, experts do not anticipate the historic level of storm activity seen in 2020. For 2021, a likely range of 13 to 20 …
Monitoring Citrus Root Weevils
By Larry Duncan Soilborne larvae that feed on citrus roots are the damaging life stage of Diaprepes abbreviatus and Pachnaeus spp. (bluegreen) root weevils. Newly developed adult weevils, which emerge throughout the warm months of the year, also occur in soil. A peak emergence of adults occurs at some point each spring or early summer. Less frequently, a smaller emergence …
Promoting Orange Juice for Hydration
It may not officially be summer yet, but with temperatures heating up, Steve Johnson, chairman of the Florida Citrus Commission, has a reminder about the value of drinking orange juice (OJ) for hydration. “A glass of orange juice is a great hydration option in addition to water since it naturally contains a high percentage of water — almost 90%, says …
Principles and Risks of Trunk Injection for Delivery of Crop Protection Materials
By Ute Albrecht and Leigh Archer Trunk injection is a targeted delivery of materials into the stem or trunk of trees as an alternative to spraying or soil drenching. It is practical for disease and pest management in high-value forest trees and ornamental plants where aerial applications are problematic because of environmental and human health-related concerns. Interest in using the …
Mexican Lemon Sector Sets Sights on Asia
By Francisco Seva Rivadulla The Mexican lemon sector is betting on the diversification of international markets and has its sights set on the Asian market. Oliver Huesmann, director of Fruit Consulting and expert in the Asian market, says lemons have possibilities in all Asian countries. “What is needed is a promotion of this Mexican product so that the consumer knows …
EPA Ordered to Act on Chlorpyrifos
California Attorney General Rob Bonta on April 29 applauded a decision by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals requiring the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to make a required safety finding for chlorpyrifos residues detected on food. Chlorpyrifos is a widely used agricultural pesticide approved for use on more than 80 food crops. The court decision orders the EPA to …
When a Pesticide Doesn’t Work
By Juanita Popenoe 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 only one part of a comprehensive integrated pest management (IPM) plan and should be used strategically. What happens …




























