Wayne Simmons, president of the Gulf Citrus Growers Association (GCGA), sent the following letter to the group’s membership on May 6 to announce the association will be ceasing operations: “For nearly 40 years, the Gulf Citrus Growers Association has represented the citrus growers of Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee counties with professional integrity, dedication and effectiveness. So it is …
How Florida Orange Production Plummeted 92% in 20 Years
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service (USDA ERS) recently recounted how natural disasters and diseases have reduced Florida’s orange production by 92% since the 2003–04 season. USDA ERS noted that Florida’s citrus industry has long been susceptible to freezes, hurricanes and disease. It pointed out that a series of devastating freezes in the 1970s and 1980s caused production …
Trunk-Injection Suggestions
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) associate professors Ute Albrecht, Ozgur Batuman and Megan Dewdney recently wrote Suggested Use Pattern of Injectable Antimicrobials for Huanglongbing (HLB) Management (April 2024). They emphasized that the document is not an official UF/IFAS recommendation but is based on the labels for antimicrobial products ReMedium and Rectify. Some key suggestions in …
Panel Discussions Highlight Florida Citrus Show Seminars
A pair of panel discussions during the citrus seminars at the Florida Citrus Show gave growers the opportunity to engage with experts on top-of-mind topics. BREEDER RECOMMENDATIONS The citrus seminar program started with a discussion among citrus breeders moderated by Flavia Zambon, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) assistant professor at the Indian River Research and …
Podcast Addresses Recent Irrigation Research
It was a dry April in most of Florida’s citrus-production areas. That means irrigation is vital to keep HLB-infected trees adequately watered. The drier months of the year from February through May are when flowering and fruit set are occurring. If trees are stressed due to water deficit during this time, they are more likely to suffer fruit drop and …
Phytophthora: A Complex Problem
While the recent Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute presentations focused mainly on HLB, other topics were addressed, including phytophthora root rot. This disease has become more problematic in recent years. Megan Dewdney, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences associate professor of plant pathology, spoke on the topic. She noted that phytophthora already is a complex problem and that …
Sneak Peek: May 2024 Citrus Industry
Inside the May issue of Citrus Industry magazine, you’ll find photos and coverage from the Florida Citrus Show. The annual grower-focused event was held in Fort Pierce on April 3. A high point of the day was the outdoor trade show of exhibitors serving an array of tailgate-style foods to attendees. Educational programs included a general session on current agricultural …
Grove First Project Seeks More Grower Cooperators
The Grove First project plans to expand next year and is seeking additional growers as cooperators. The project tests molecules directly in the field for their ability to treat HLB via trunk injection. The Grove First project differs from the common practice of starting HLB research in the laboratory, then moving to the greenhouse to be confirmed before going into …
Investing in New Citrus Plantings in Brazil Can Be Worthwhile
A study by Brazilian citrus consultant Gilberto Tozatti indicated that even under high HLB pressure, but with reasonable prices, it is worth investing in new citrus plantings. Tozatti’s study, presented at the recent International Research Conference on HLB, received support from the Group of Citrus Consultants (GCONCI). Tozatti summarized his presentation: Brazil is the world leader in the production of …
Irrigation Frequency Critical to Fight Tree Stress
During the month of April, Florida rainfall has been scarce. Groves are drying out after some areas enjoyed more rain than normal during the El Niño winter. The dry weather has growers busy running irrigation. Keeping HLB-infected trees well-watered is especially important to reduce plant stress. That was the message Tripti Vashisth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural …
The Effect of Soil pH on Nutrient Availability
By Chris Oswalt Soil pH influences nutrient availability. This article considers the specific fate of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in soils with elevated pH values. The discussion also assumes that these effects would be similar to conditions in the wetted zone where micro-sprinkler irrigation has raised soil pH. NITROGEN Soil pH can affect several reactions involving nitrogen in the soil …
All In For Citrus Podcast, April 2024
April was a busy month for citrus events. The Florida Citrus Show was held April 3 in Fort Pierce followed by the Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute in Avon Park on April 9. These events were a topic of discussion between All In For Citrus podcast host Frank Giles and Michael Rogers, director of the University of Florida Institute of Food …
Outlook for Brazilian Acreage and Production
A study by researchers Gilberto Tozatti, Mauricio Mendez and Rodolfo Castro indicated the likely future significant reduction in Brazilian citrus acreage and production due to huanglongbing (HLB or greening). The calculations are based solely on the current Brazilian Citrus Belt and do not consider future citrus projects happening in areas outside of it. Tozatti presented the study at the recent …
Grower Panel: OTC a Net Positive So Far
Florida Citrus Mutual recently hosted a roundtable discussion about the performance of trunk-injection therapies as growers are making their second round of applications. The grower participants included Jim Snively, Southern Gardens Citrus; Glenn Beck, Beck Bros. Citrus and Wes Soria, Sorrells Citrus. University of Florida scientist Ute Albrecht also joined the panel to provide a research update. Rick Dantzler, chief …
Evolving Research Priorities for Florida Citrus
Last week, growers convened in Avon Park for the annual Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute. The daylong seminar program provides updates on the latest research in the fight against HLB and other production issues facing growers. Rick Dantzler, chief operating officer of the Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF), presented an update on the organization’s research priorities. He noted that CRDF …
Optimizing Organic Nutrient Sources
By Davie Kadyampakeni The use of certified organic nutrient sources (manures, composts, biochar, biosolids, etc.) should be considered by Florida commercial citrus growers to improve the soil properties and long-term nutrient availability of the predominantly sandy soils. Use of the organic residues could be incorporated in the soil during tillage to plan a new grove or periodically to an existing …
Determining Planting Density
As growers grapple with planting new blocks in the HLB era, there has been considerable discussion about planting densities to optimize growth and yield. John Chater, assistant professor of horticultural sciences with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), has been working with growers in evaluating new varieties and rootstocks as trees are planted. TRENDING HIGHER …
Florida OJ Has Solid Share of Consumers
A significant portion of consumers are drawn to Florida orange juice (OJ) despite recent economic setbacks, a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) study shows. “There is an intrinsic value that consumers have for Florida orange juice. When they think of Florida, orange juice is often part of the imagery,” said Marisa Zansler, director of economic …
Protect Trees With Particle Films
By Christopher Vincent Particle film is a useful tool to take the edge off stress to citrus trees caused by weather and HLB. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) research over the past several years shows moderate concentrations of kaolin particle films cause trees to grow faster, suffer less water loss and keep leaves cooler, even …
CITRUS NURSERY SOURCE: New Leadership at Bureau of Citrus Budwood Registration
By Peter Chaires The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Bureau of Citrus Budwood Registration is key to maintaining a healthy citrus nursery industry. The bureau ensures that Florida nurseries have access to clean, quality, reliable budwood. It is important for industry to remain familiar with the team running the bureau. Considering recent changes to the bureau’s leadership, …





























