 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Below you'll see everything we could locate for your search of “Growers”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is extending the deadline for farmers to apply for Stages 1 and 2 of the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) to Sept. 30. Additionally, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is providing greater flexibility for farmers who experienced quality losses on eligible crops. When applying for this program, farmers who experienced quality-related discounts can use verifiable and reliable documentation to …
A recent article from Alabama A&M and Auburn universities highlighted the major issues facing citrus growers in southern Alabama’s Baldwin and Mobile counties. FREEZES One of the biggest obstacles that citrus growers face is highly variable weather, including late-season freezes. Jacob Kelley, an Alabama Extension commercial horticulture agent at Auburn University, said winter temperatures that might swing from 80 to …
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 …
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 …
Researchers have discovered a soil bacterium that helps citrus plants grow by releasing a natural chemical signal that improves the plant’s ability to take up nutrients. The finding could lead to new biological products designed to improve citrus tree health and fertilizer efficiency. An article about the study was published in Horticulture Research. The authors are Hongfei Li, Dongxin Liu, …
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 …
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 …
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. …
The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) announced the selection of 13 up-and-coming leaders for Class 16 of its Emerging Leader Development Program. The program is an immersive, hands-on experience addressing the critical issues facing Florida agriculture. It helps class members develop the skills needed to lead within FFVA and beyond. Since its inception in 2011, the program — administered …
New research suggests that how citrus trees respond to water stress may be more important than simply how much water they receive. The findings could help growers improve irrigation management, reduce fruit cracking and protect yields as weather becomes more variable. An article about the study — “Linking plant water status dynamics to yield and fruit cracking in citrus orchards …
The Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) Foundation has announced that applications are now open for Traditional New Plantings Cycle Eight and Existing Tree Therapies (ETT) Round Five. TRADITIONAL NEW PLANTINGS This program evaluates grower-selected rootstock and scion combinations under commercial growing conditions. EXISTING TREE THERAPIES This program evaluates therapeutic treatments designed to improve the health and productivity of mature …
By Marisa L. Zansler The 2026–27 Florida citrus season is about to begin, making it an appropriate time to assess the outlook and consumer demand for Florida’s orange, grapefruit and specialty citrus production. For much of the past decade, industry conversations about what lies ahead for Florida citrus have, understandably, centered on its production challenges. The grip of citrus greening, …
By Michael E. Rogers Florida citrus growers continue to adapt to new challenges, regulations and technologies while maintaining the resilience that has defined the industry for generations. Supporting that effort, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) research and Extension programs remain focused on delivering practical, science-based solutions that help growers maintain productive and profitable operations. For …
As high temperatures become more common in citrus-growing regions, researchers are searching for ways to help trees better tolerate heat. A new study suggests that two naturally occurring plant hormones — abscisic acid (ABA) and brassinosteroids (BR) — may strengthen citrus trees’ defenses against heat stress. The research was published in the journal Horticulturae by Longfei Jin, Yueting Sun, Yanmei …
California Citrus Mutual (CCM) has selected Tom Danowski as its new CEO effective Sept. 1. Danowski most recently served 13 years as president and CEO of the Oregon Wine Board and Oregon Winegrowers Association. There, he helped drive the Oregon wine industry’s total annual economic impact from $2.7 billion to $8 billion, CCM reported. Prior to working in Oregon’s wine industry, …
As citrus growers continue searching for varieties that can perform under huanglongbing (HLB) pressure, researchers are looking beyond tree survival. Fruit quality, flavor and consumer acceptance are becoming increasingly important parts of the equation. A new study evaluated several HLB-tolerant mandarin hybrids and identified selections that combine disease tolerance with traits that could make them attractive for fresh-market production. An …
Citrus greening disease continues to loom over the cold-hardy citrus region. While the industry expands in South Georgia and North Florida, the threat of the disease (also known as huanglongbing, or HLB) remains a focal point of citrus meetings, including on July 28 at the Southeast Georgia Citrus Update in Lyons. Jonathan Oliver, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and …
Representatives from Fundecitrus participated in a recent roundtable discussion about the challenges of combating citrus greening. The roundtable was part of the 44th São Paulo Congress of Phytopathology in Brazil. Participants included Fundecitrus researcher Renato Bassanezi, Technology Transfer Manager Ivaldo Sala and board member Luiz Fernando Girotto, who is an agricultural director at a citrus company. The participants discussed an …
Freeze protection is a vital part of university research in the cold-hardy citrus region. Growers in South Georgia, South Alabama and North Florida only have to look back to last season to see temperatures that dropped to dangerously low levels for citrus production. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, discussed freeze-protection measures at the …
When citrus growers think about viruses and viroids, symptoms above ground — such as tree decline, leaf issues and poor fruit production — often receive the most attention. A new study shows that what happens below the soil surface may also provide important clues about how citrus rootstocks respond to these pathogens. The study, “Root Traits Responses of Citrus Rootstocks …
