The most devasting disease to impact Florida citrus production is a threat to trees in the cold-hardy citrus region. Citrus greening disease has impacted Florida groves for more than 20 years and looms as a danger to trees in South Georgia, North Florida and South Alabama. While the best management strategy is prompt removal of trees, a longer-term solution is …
UF/IFAS Reports on CarriCea T1 Rootstock
Since the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency registered Soilcea’s CarriCea T1 citrus rootstock in April, Florida growers have ordered more than 300,000 CarriCea trees. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) recently reported that fact and more information about the new rootstock. CarriCea T1 was developed by Soilcea, a CRISPR-focused agricultural research company headquartered at the University …
Save the Date: Aug. 4–5, 2027
The 2026 Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo was one to remember! Returning to Fort Myers, the Expo brought together citrus and specialty crop growers, industry professionals, exhibitors and sponsors for two days of learning, connecting and conducting business. See highlights from the 2026 Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo! THANK YOU! AgNet Media extends a heartfelt thank you to all of …
Georgia Citrus Growers May Be Using Too Much Fertilizer
Fertilizer recommendations for citrus are still a work in progress for University of Georgia (UGA) researchers, including Mary Sutton, UGA assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist. She discussed this topic at the recent Southeast Georgia Citrus Update in Lyons. South Georgia citrus production is still in its early stage. Fertilizer recommendations are needed for the industry’s long-term sustainability. “We’re hoping …
California Citrus Acreage Report Released
California has an estimated 266,300 acres of bearing citrus, up just 200 acres in the past four years. That’s according to an acreage report released Aug. 5 by the California Department of Food and Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The major source of the acreage data was a questionnaire mailed to all California …
USDA Battles Numerous Citrus Diseases
Although huanglongbing (HLB) disease was highlighted in the citrus section of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s (USDA APHIS) recent PPQ (Plant Protection and Quarantine) 2025 Annual Report, the report also noted efforts against other citrus diseases. Those diseases include citrus canker, citrus yellow vein clearing virus, sweet orange scab and citrus black spot. The …
What You Need To Know About Managing Fire Ants
By Lauren Diepenbrock Red imported fire ants (Solenopsis Invicta), commonly referred to as fire ants, are commonplace throughout Florida. The pest infests a broad range of habitats, including urban sites, natural areas and production fields. In citrus, a range of impacts from this pest are seen. From a human health perspective, fire ant stings can cause symptoms from mild irritation …
How to Manage Horseweed
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) weed scientist Ramdas Kanissery recently shared information about management of horseweed, a common Florida citrus broadleaf weed. Kanissery is an associate professor at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center. Following are highlights from his article in the August 2026 UF/IFAS Citrus Magazine. Horseweed is found in citrus tree rows, …
CITRUS NURSERY SOURCE: Honoring a Long-Term Leader
By Peter Chaires New Varieties Development & Management Corp. (NVDMC) board members recently gathered with friends and industry colleagues at Golden Ridge Groves to honor Frank M. Hunt’s 18-year tenure as NVDMC chairman of the board. Frank stepped forward in 2005, at the inception of the organization, and remained at the helm for all but two years of the next …
Citrus Red Mite Threatens Cold-Hardy Production
The threat of Asian citrus psyllids to cold-hardy citrus does not mean growers should ignore other insects and their potential impacts in North Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama. The citrus red mite should be a concern for growers, especially in the spring and if certain weather conditions persist, explains Apurba Barman, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor of entomology …
PDIs Promising for Sustainable HLB Management
A recent University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) article addressed the use of plant defense inducers (PDIs) as sustainable alternatives to oxytetracycline (OTC) injection for HLB management. Researchers Lauren Fessler Mathews, Ana Redondo and Ozgur Batuman at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center (SWFREC) authored the article. Slightly edited excerpts of the article follow: PDIs …
Fruit Fly Quarantines Removed in Texas
Fruit fly quarantines impacting commercial citrus have been removed in Texas by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) in cooperation with the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA). SAPOTE FRUIT FLY APHIS and TDA removed the sapote fruit fly (Anastrepha serpentina) quarantines in Cameron and Hildalgo counties. The quarantines included the Harlingen and Rio Hondo …
Brix Basics for Citrus Growers
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) recently published “Brix Basics: Where Plant Sugars Come From and Why They Matter.” Edwin Gutierrez Rodriguez, UF/IFAS citrus Extension agent for DeSoto, Hardee and Manatee counties, authored the article. Edited excerpts follow: Degrees Brix is the measurement of the total dissolved solids in a liquid, based on how much …
USDA Report Highlights HLB Efforts
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) highlighted huanglongbing (HLB) disease in the citrus section of its recent Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) 2025 Annual Report. It recognized HLB as the most serious disease of citrus, currently impacting Florida and Texas and threatening citrus in Alabama, Arizona, California, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi. The report …
Canopy Management Critical for HLB-Affected Citrus
By Tripti Vashisth, Meryam Manzoor and Johann Hiller Fruit quality and yield remain major concerns for sweet orange growers in the HLB era. Both are closely linked to the tree’s ability to support developing fruit throughout the season. Leaves are the primary source of carbohydrates needed for fruit growth, retention and juice development. Canopy density and leaf area directly influence …
AI Is Altering Citrus Marketing
The world of advertising and promotion is changing fast in the digital age now driven by artificial intelligence (AI). The way people seek information has shifted as AI integrates into the internet. This presents opportunities and challenges for marketers, including the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC). The FDOC’s mission is to drive more consumption of orange juice and fresh fruit. …
New Product Registered to Aid in the Fight Against Citrus Greening
Silvec Biologics Inc. has announced that its RNA-based therapy-delivery product is registered for unconditional commercial use under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. The product is registered under the name Construct CTV-SoD2. “A new tool is now available to help strengthen citrus tree health and support the future of Florida’s citrus industry,” said Matt Joyner, executive vice …
Biostimulant Improves Citrus Resilience to Freeze Stress
A new study demonstrates that proline biostimulation can significantly enhance freezing stress tolerance in citrus by stabilizing photosynthesis, strengthening antioxidant defenses and improving carbohydrate metabolism. The findings offer promising strategies for protecting citrus crops from damaging low-temperature events. Proline biostimulation is the application of the amino acid proline to plants to help them resist harsh environmental conditions like freezing cold, …
Hedging Under Study for Cold-Hardy Citrus
One of satsuma mandarin’s drawbacks is its alternate bearing tendency. It will produce a heavy crop load one year and a low one the next year. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, said tree hedging may provide a solution. She discussed the management technique at the Southeast Georgia Citrus Update in Lyons, Georgia on …
Understanding Crop Load and Alternate Bearing
By Fernando Alferez and Muhammad A. Shahid Citrus trees bloom profusely. It is estimated that a healthy adult tree can produce more than 200,000 flowers every year. This number is much higher than that of fruits the tree can maintain and develop. Normally only between 1% to 5% of flowers set fruit that develops, matures and can ultimately be harvested. …




















