purity level

TJ BioTech and AgroSource Settle Patent Dispute

Tacy CalliesHLB Management, OTC Expert

Sponsored Content Question: What is the status of the civil action that TJ BioTech filed against AgroSource? Answer: TJ BioTech LLC filed a civil action in August 2025 and received a preliminary injunction through the district court. This preliminary injunction had the effect of removing AgroSource’s product Rectify™ from the market. This past week, a confidential settlement was reached between …

Postfreeze Recovery Recommendations for Citrus Trees

Tacy Calliesfreeze

Florida citrus growers hoping to expedite the recovery process for trees impacted by the late January/early February freeze event should pump the brakes and wait — at least until spring. That advice is from Muhammad Shahid, assistant professor of horticulture at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). He shared tree recovery recommendations with growers during …

‘Significant’ Melanose Concerns Following Freeze

Tacy CalliesDiseases, freeze

Freeze damage to Florida citrus could lead to a buildup in certain diseases. One, in particular, is a major threat, believes Megan Dewdney, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) associate professor in plant pathology and Extension specialist. “Our big concern in terms of foliar problems is going to be melanose. Just as a reminder, melanose produces …

Snail Management

Planning Spring Snail Management

Tacy CalliesPests, Tip of the Week

By Lauren M. Diepenbrock Many citrus growers in Florida have been impacted by Bulimulus bonariensis (previously referred to as Bulimulus sporadicus) since the first reports of this pest in groves in 2020. This snail is an ongoing challenge and, with funding from the Citrus Research and Development Foundation, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) has …

Citrus Achievement

Citrus Achievement Award Call for Nominations

Daniel CooperAwards

As the Citrus Achievement Award celebrates its 26th year, AgNet Media is seeking nominations for this year’s winner. The award has grown into the gold standard of industry recognition for those who have made and continue to make a significant impact within and even beyond the Florida citrus community. The Citrus Achievement Award is presented to an individual grower, allied …

program

Remember To Remove Stakes After Tree Establishment

Tacy CalliesProduction

It’s a good practice to support young trees with stakes, but the stakes should be removed once the trees are established. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) multi-county citrus Extension agent Edwin A. Gutierrez-Rodriguez tells why in a slightly-edited article: It is commonly accepted that when establishing a new citrus grove or caring for young trees, …

HLB

Invaio and Fundecitrus Collaborate on HLB Solutions

Daniel CooperHLB Management

Invaio Sciences, Inc. recently announced a collaboration with Fundecitrus (Fund for Citrus Protection), a research organization based in Araraquara, Brazil. The partnership aims to accelerate the development and evaluation of novel solutions — particularly peptide-based technologies — for controlling huanglongbing (HLB), also known as citrus greening disease. The collaboration combines Invaio’s Biologicals by Design™ platform and Fundecitrus’ expertise in grove …

H-2A program

H-2A Program Use Soars

Daniel CooperLabor

The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) recently reported key facts about use of the H-2A program. The vast majority of Florida citrus is harvested by temporary foreign workers through the H-2A program. The program continues to grow with 398,258 positions certified in fiscal year (FY) 2025. Nearly 50% of the certifications in FY 2025 work in just five states: Florida, …

psyllid

Postfreeze Psyllid Populations Reduced

Daniel Cooperfreeze, Psyllids

Southeast citrus growers hoping that the Feb. 1 freeze would wipe out the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) population are going to be disappointed. “What we do know about freezes is a lot of time they will reduce or delay the buildup of many of the populations of pests that we worry about,” said Lauren Diepenbrock, University of Florida Institute of …

CRDF

CRDF Board Funds Plant Transformation Projects

Daniel CooperCRDF

In January, the Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) board of directors took up several projects aimed at plant transformation to improve HLB disease resistance in plants. MANJUL DUTT The board voted to fund work by Manjul Dutt, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) assistant professor of horticultural sciences, to graft the most promising non-genetically modified …

role

Study Highlights Soil pH Role in Citrus Tree Health

Daniel CooperSoil Health

A new study examines the critical role soil pH plays in determining citrus root development, nutrient absorption and overall tree health. It offers insights for growers facing declining production challenges due to biotic restraints such as HLB disease and abiotic stresses such as low or high soil pH. The study looks at citrus root morphology across a range of soil …

Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo

Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo to Offer an Enhanced Experience

Daniel CooperCitrus Expo, Events

Mark your calendar for the 2026 Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo, set for Aug. 12–13. The event is returning with several upgrades designed to improve the experience for citrus and specialty crop growers, exhibitors and industry partners. EXCEPTIONAL LOCATION The 2026 Expo is relocating back to Fort Myers, Florida, but at a new location. The event will be held at …

Millennium Block

Millennium Block HLB Findings Expected This Year

Daniel CooperHLB Management, Research

Fruit harvested at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Millennium Block from 2022 to 2026 will help determine the effectiveness of potential solutions to HLB. This season’s fruit will be harvested through early February, and research results are expected later this year.  The Millennium Block was planted in 2019 at the UF/IFAS Indian River Research …

flowering

Expected Freeze Effect on Flowering

Daniel Cooperfreeze, Production

Tripti Vashisth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) associate professor of horticultural sciences and citrus Extension specialist, was part of a question-and-answer session that the UF/IFAS Statewide Citrus Team held for growers last week prior to the weekend’s winter storm. She talked about how low temperatures and high winds could impact citrus flowering. She expressed hope …

fruit

Impacts of Freeze on Fruit Quality

Daniel Cooperfreeze

Florida citrus growers are in the middle of harvest season. That means plenty of fruit was still left on the trees prior to last weekend’s winter storm that brought freezing temperatures and dangerous wind chills to the state’s citrus-producing regions. Growers are assessing the negative impacts following the freeze, but they may not know the extent of damage for a …

silicon

When and How To Use Silicon for Freeze Protection and Recovery

Daniel Cooperfreeze, Nutrition, Tip of the Week

By Muhammad A. Shahid and Davie Kadyampakeni Silicon (Si) is getting a lot of attention from citrus growers as a tool to help trees handle stress, especially during cold and freeze conditions. It toughens up plant tissues, strengthens cell walls and helps trees better handle stress when it is applied at the right time. BEFORE FREEZE The most important thing …

Griffin

OLL Orange Varieties Revisited at Griffin’s Grove

Daniel CooperEvents, Rootstocks, Varieties

Last September, Jason Griffin hosted a field day in his citrus grove near Lake Alfred in partnership with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). The event was well attended, and some growers requested a second field day when the crop was closer to harvest. Griffin and UF/IFAS hosted a second event in late January as …

economic

Ag Groups Plead for Economic Support for Farmers

Daniel CooperAgriculture, Economics

American farmers “are facing extreme economic pressures that threaten the long-term viability of the U.S. agriculture sector,” 56 agriculture organizations told congressional leaders in a Jan. 15 letter. California Citrus Mutual, Florida Citrus Mutual and Texas Citrus Mutual were among the letter’s signers. The letter went to the U.S. Senate majority and minority leaders and the House of Representatives speaker …

West Indian fruit fly

West Indian Fruit Fly in Texas Grapefruit Triggers Quarantine

Daniel CooperPests, Regulation, Texas

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) on Jan. 16 established a West Indian fruit fly (Anastrepha obliqua) quarantine in Mission, Hidalgo County, Texas. It is designated the Palmview quarantine. This action parallels a quarantine established by the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) on Jan. 13. APHIS took the action in response to the confirmed …