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Below you'll see everything we could locate for your search of “Florida”
April is a busy month for citrus events. The Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute was held in Avon Park early in the month followed by a citrus field day at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Southwest Florida Research and Education Center (SFWREC) in Immokalee. These events are the topic of the April episode of the …
Parasitic weeds are ruthless freeloaders, stealing nutrients from crops and devastating harvests. But what if growers could trick these invaders into self-destructing? Scientists at University of California, Riverside (UCR) think they’ve found a way to turn the weeds’ own biology against them. This trick is detailed in the journal Science. At its heart lies a class of hormones called …
Florida Foundation Seed Producers, Inc. (FFSP) has signed a licensing agreement with New Varieties Development and Management Corp. (NVDMC) to introduce new citrus varieties showing tolerance to HLB. The HLB-tolerant varieties covered by the agreement are: The collaboration also includes the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and the Florida Department of Citrus. It aims to …
By Fernando Alferez, Divya Aryal and Saoussen Ben Abdallah In the last few years, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus horticulture team at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center (SWFREC) in Immokalee has performed several research trials in commercial farms and at the experimental farm at the SWFREC to elucidate the effect of …
Growers use the citrus under protective screen (CUPS) production system to protect trees from the Asian citrus psyllid, the insect vector of HLB disease. While grapefruit is most commonly grown in CUPS, statistics support the belief that CUPS can be conducive to other types of citrus. “There’s a need to establish the growing requirements and the needs of other varieties. …
By Ramdas Kanissery Managing weeds in citrus groves isn’t just about what you spray; it’s about when you spray. The effectiveness of your weed control program largely depends on the growth stage of both the weeds and the citrus trees in your grove. Getting the timing right can make a big difference in how well your weed control program works …
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Southwest Florida Research and Education Center in Immokalee hosted a citrus field day on April 10. The event showcased the research being conducted at the center. One of the tour stops featured individual protective cover (IPC) research led by Fernando Alferez, UF/IFAS associate professor of citrus horticulture. Thanks in …
U.S. Senators Rick Scott and Ashley Moody, both from Florida, recently introduced the Defending Domestic Orange Juice Production Act. They said the act supports American growers by changing the standard of sugar levels for pasteurized orange juice from a 10.5% Brix standard to 10%. The bill would have the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) make the Brix change. Currently, …
The April 10 citrus crop forecast from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA/NASS) showed increases for most citrus-producing states. FLORIDA In Florida, grapefruit and tangerine/mandarin crops climbed 8% and 14%, respectively. The Florida grapefruit crop increased by 100,000 boxes, to 1.3 million boxes. The tangerine/mandarin crop rose by 50,000 boxes, to 400,000 boxes. Florida’s orange crop …
Citrus under protective screen (CUPS) offers benefits that go beyond its initial purpose of Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) exclusion. Steven Callaham of Dundee Citrus Growers Association discussed the advantages and sustainability of this form of citrus production. Rapid tree growth is a major benefit, according to Callaham. “It has been documented that trees inside of CUPS grow about 2.5 times …
By Fernando Alferez and Osbaldo Vasquez As individual protective covers (IPCs) are being adopted as a standard management practice to protect newly planted citrus trees from psyllid infestation, it has become apparent that one of the main effects of this tool is improved tree growth. Trees under IPCs grow larger with thicker canopies. This is probably the result of healthier …
U.S. Sen. Rick Scott of Florida on March 31 introduced the United States Citrus Protection Act, which would prohibit the importation of commercially produced fresh citrus fruit from China. Scott stated the bill would further protect American jobs, ensure the integrity of domestic agriculture and reduce reliance on goods produced by regimes that pose a threat to the United States. …
Weeds can be a menace in Florida citrus. The state is home to diverse weed species and is the perfect environment for weeds to grow. Ramdas Kanissery, a weed scientist at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, discusses weed management challenges in the March All In For Citrus podcast. …
Scientists see genetic editing — and in particular CRISPR technology — as a potential way to rescue Florida citrus from HLB disease, but consumer perceptions of the technology are key. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences’ (UF/IFAS) Bachir Kassas is working to assess consumer acceptance of biotechnology. Kassas is an assistant professor in the UF/IFAS Department …
Expansion into the juice market may unlock a profitable marketing opportunity for Georgia citrus growers. But questions remain before growers can start planning this new course of action, says Lindy Savelle, executive director of the Georgia Citrus Association. “Hamlins and perhaps some early-season Valencias would work here in Georgia,” Savelle said. One question Georgia growers have about entering the juice …
The Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) Foundation board of directors has approved the opening of a supplemental Program for Expedited Propagation (PEP) Solid Set Planting application window. The application link is live here. Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on April 30. PEP projects must be solid-set plantings of scions released as part of the Florida Department of Citrus- …
The citrus industry is not immune to the trade imbalance that is impacting the ag industry across the United States. From 2000 to 2013, the United States exported more citrus than it imported. However, the imbalance began in 2014 and worsened every year through 2023, equating to a deficit of 26 million boxes. The staggering statistics are reflective of the …
Citrus trees used to be a common site around Florida homes, but diseases like canker and greening have diminished residents’ ability to enjoy these iconic trees. Despite the challenges, people from Florida and across the country contact citrus nurseries this time of year, seeking to purchase trees for their yards and/or homes. It’s a passion, say nursery owners and University …
By Tripti Vashisth and Prudhvi Vulchi To mitigate the effects of huanglongbing (HLB) on tree health and productivity, growers are encouraged to adopt proven horticultural practices. Based on recent field trials at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC), one effective approach combines frequent irrigation (FI), plant growth regulators (PGRs) …
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson on March 31 announced the completion of major updates to several existing agricultural best management practices (BMP) manuals, including the one for citrus. The manuals provide specific research-based practices to agricultural producers to improve water quality. The updates mark the first comprehensive revisions in nearly 20 years for some manuals, reflecting advancements in agricultural …
