The Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) Foundation has been a lifeline to Florida’s citrus industry in the battle against HLB. CRAFT’s programs provide incentives for new plantings and existing tree therapies in exchange for growers submitting data for those projects. CRAFT then analyzes that data for trends and potential solutions. Another key mission of CRAFT is sharing the results …
Amending Oxytetracycline With Ascorbic Acid
By Lauren Fessler Mathews, Ana Redondo and Ozgur Batuman Trunk injections of oxytetracycline (OTC) have been proven to give huanglongbing (HLB)-affected citrus in Florida a boost in productivity and quality. However, previous studies have shown that even just six hours of exposure to heat and humidity in the grove can lead to OTC injections that no longer adequately suppress CLas …
Benefits and Risks of Individual Protective Covers
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers have long extolled the virtues of individual protective covers (IPCs). Multi-county citrus Extension agent Edwin Gutierrez-Rodriguez does the same but also warns of potential risks. Following is information from a recent UF/IFAS blog article he authored. In the ongoing battle against huanglongbing (HLB), also known as citrus greening disease, …
Citrus State of the Industry Survey, Part 1: Grove Conditions
The citrus industry in the Southeast was spared from hurricanes in 2025. In Florida, will that in combination with HLB therapies help turn things in a positive direction for the 2025–26 citrus season? This year’s Citrus State of the Industry Survey aims to answer that question and gauge the current attitude of growers. This month, we share survey results on …
A Focus on Flavor
By J. Scott Angle, jangle@ufl.edu, @IFAS_VP Our job at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to help you make money. Since HLB is the biggest threat to your bottom line, it’s at the top of our research agenda. We continue to seek scientific solutions to anything else that threatens your livelihood — other diseases, …
Unraveling the Mechanisms Leading to Prolonged Tree Health by Combining IPCs and Brassinosteroids
By Fernando Alferez, Divya Aryal and Saoussen Ben Abdallah University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) research in the last three years has found that the combined use of individual protective covers (IPCs) and brassinosteroids (BRs) enhances protection of citrus trees against HLB and other diseases that limit citrus production in Florida. The research has been conducted …
Study Shows Performance of New Rootstocks
A recent article provides estimates for the performance of Valencia orange grafted on new hybrid citrus rootstock cultivars developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS). These estimates can help growers decide which rootstocks to plant in HLB-endemic regions. Authors of the article are Ariel Singerman of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), …
Register Today for the Florida Citrus Show
The Florida Citrus Show is scheduled for Thursday, March 12. The event will be held at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Indian River Research and Education Center and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory in Fort Pierce. The Florida Citrus Show combines educational seminars for both citrus …
Greenie’s Performance in the Cold-Hardy Citrus Region
The December All In For Citrus podcast episode includes Muhammad Shahid, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) assistant professor at the North Florida Research and Education Center. He discusses winter preparations for the cold-hardy citrus region. For an area where freezes are common, these are important considerations. In addition to preparing for the cold, Shahid shares …
Safeguarding Citrus Biodiversity
A new greenhouse in Corsica, known as ARCHE, is part of an effort to safeguard one of the world’s largest citrus collections in the face of increasing disease and climate threats. The Citrus Biological Resource Centre (Citrus BRC) inaugurated the 1,100-square meter insect-proof facility on Dec. 5. The facility will soon house hundreds of citrus varieties from the Citrus BRC, …
Updated Australian Citrus Guide Available
The new Citrus Plant Protection Guide 2025-26 from Australia’s New South Wales Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (NSW DPIRD) is available online. The seventh edition of the guide provides up-to-date information on all aspects of managing pests and diseases in citrus orchards and includes updates on NSW DPIRD projects. Some of the projects are funded by Hort Innovation …
Can Physical Barriers Improve Sting Nematode and Root Weevil Management?
Larry Duncan, professor of nematology with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), recently presented his research regarding the management of sting nematodes and diaprepes root weevils. The presentation was part of an ongoing series of Zoom meetings organized by Mongi Zekri, UF//IFAS citrus Extension agent. STING NEMATODE Sting nematode is an important pest, especially in …
An Exciting Time To Be Involved in Agriculture
Editor’s note: This is the final installment in a series honoring Ben Albritton, the 2025 Citrus Achievement Award winner. This year’s Citrus Achievement Award winner, Ben Albritton, is excited about the future prospects of agriculture in Florida. As Florida Senate President, he’s ready to take the industry’s priorities to Tallahassee for next year’s legislative session. HEALTHY CHOICES Albritton says that …
Quarantine Changes for California and Texas
Federal and state agriculture officials recently made changes to huanglongbing (HLB, also known as citrus greening disease) and Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) quarantines in California. They also removed a Mexican fruit fly (Mexfly) quarantine in Texas. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) reported these changes. CALIFORNIA HLB On Nov. 25, APHIS and the California …
CITRUS NURSERY SOURCE: New University of Florida Varieties Introduced
By Peter Chaires In July, the Florida Foundation Seed Producers Inc. (FFSP) advised the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) and the Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) of eight newly released University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus varieties that may fall under F.S. 601.13 (4). This state statute provides the FCC with a first option to obtain …
Whitmore Farm Field Day Returns After Hurricane Milton
In early December, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) hosted its annual field day at the A.H. Whitmore Foundation Farm in Groveland, Florida. The field day was canceled last year due to Hurricane Milton. The storm brought 110 mph winds that stripped trees of fruit and caused other damage. The field day showcased various rootstocks and varieties that have been …
Implementing Insecticide Sprays for Winter Management of Psyllids
By Jawwad A. Qureshi In winter, citrus trees enter a state of quiescence due to lower light and cooler temperatures, which slows their metabolic activity. Therefore, most citrus trees do not produce new shoots during this period. These young shoots are essential for the growth of the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri. The ACP is a small sap-feeding insect …
All In For Citrus Podcast, November 2025
The November All In For Citrus podcast takes a trip around the globe. Faculty from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) join the show to describe citrus production in regions outside of the United States. Michael Rogers, director of the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center, gives an update on citrus in the Caribbean and …
Sneak Peek: December 2025 Citrus Industry
As the end of the year approaches, now is a good time to look back at what has been learned about huanglongbing (HLB) disease over the last 20 years. In the Citrus Industry section of the December issue of Specialty Crop Grower, Michael Rogers, Citrus Research and Education Center director, provides a comprehensive review of the progress made in fighting …
CRDF Considers Research Management Committee Recommendations
The Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) convened its November board of directors meeting to take up recommendations from its Research Management Committee. According to Rick Dantzler, CRDF chief operating officer, one of those recommendations was funding a proposal from Swadesh Santra, who is a professor of chemistry with the University of Central Florida. “This funding would allow Dr. Santra …





























