A new pictorial guide can help California growers differentiate between the damages caused by the same pest on different citrus varieties. Comparing the Fruit Rind Scarring That Three Early-Season Pests Cause in Mandarin Species and Sweet Orange was published by University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. Early-season insect pests — such as katydids, earwigs and citrus thrips — feeding …
Citrus Groves and Soil Microbes
Research by the University of Miami’s College of Arts and Sciences aimed at protecting the Florida scrub has spurred a related study of microbes found in the soil of former citrus groves. The citrus research is led by Joshua Fowler, a postdoctoral research associate. The sandy, well-drained soils of the Florida scrub, which support many native plants, also provide ideal …
CITRUS NURSERY SOURCE: How Artificial Intelligence Applications Could Enhance Nurseries
By Peter Chairs The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences’ (UF/IFAS) commitment to the use and development of artificial intelligence (AI) in production agriculture is fueling conversations throughout the citrus industry. For most of us, AI was not even on our radar a few years ago. Today, commercial and nursery growers are excited about the development of …
Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute Put Researchers Under One Roof
The 2025 Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute had a different setup compared to previous years. Scientists from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) convened at South Florida State College in Avon Park on April 8 to share research that will help shape the future of the Florida citrus industry. Chris Oswalt, UF/IFAS citrus Extension agent who …
Book Chronicles Florida Citrus’ Rise, Fall and Future
Fifth-generation Floridian David Sumner, who grew up in a citrus family, has written “The Rise, Fall, and Future of Florida’s Citrus Industry.” The 327-page book includes historic citrus photos dating back to the late 1800s. Sumner tells the story of Florida citrus from the end of the Civil War to the present. He visited Florida archives and conducted 53 interviews …
PIECES OF THE PAST: A Lakeland Citrus Story
By Brenda Eubanks Burnette I was recently at the opening of the Lakeland History and Culture Center’s new citrus exhibit called “From the Groves, Lakeland’s Citrus Story,” located in the Lakeland Public Library by Lake Morton. Lakeland was once called the “World’s Citrus Center,” so this exhibit is long overdue. It’s been two years in the making by LuAnn Mims, …
Sneak Peek: May 2025 Citrus Industry
The May issue of Specialty Crop Grower magazine is where to find the latest Citrus Industry articles. If your grove is in Florida, there’s a good chance ghost snails have haunted your trees and irrigation equipment. An article from University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) assistant professors Lauren Diepenbrock and Nicole Quinn offers some advice on …
What the Georgia Citrus Association Learned in California
By Clint Thompson and Nick Papagni The Georgia Citrus Association’s trip to California last week allowed industry leaders to look for opportunities to advance citrus in the cold-hardy region. One of the focuses was learning about the different varieties produced in California that could have a potential future in the Southeast. Lindy Savelle, executive director of the Georgia Citrus Association …
Bill Seeks Citrus Alternative Crops
A bill passed unanimously by the Florida Senate and awaiting House approval would fund a $1 million Florida A&M University (FAMU) research project to identify alternative crops for former citrus lands. While the legislation authorizes the study, it is contingent on funding approval. The $1 million budget allocation for the FAMU project is part of a larger agricultural relief effort …
Fundecitrus Researchers Visit Australia on Greening Mission
Fundecitrus researchers Juan Arenas, Mônica Neli Alves and Sílvio Lopes recently participated in the Conference of the International Organization of Citrus Virologists in Mildura, Australia. Alves discussed research conducted by Fundecitrus exploring the use of species in the genetic improvement of citrus trees resistant to greening. Lopes presented a comparative overview of greening and citrus variegated chlorosis, two of the …
Citrus Seminars Provide Research Updates
Researchers from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) delivered several presentations to a standing-room-only audience during the citrus seminars at the Florida Citrus Show in March. VARIETIES AND ROOTSTOCKS The citrus session began with a breeder panel discussing research on varieties and rootstocks. Participants were Manjul Dutt and Jude …
Nitrogen Reduction Needed in Cold-Hardy Citrus Region
Growers in the cold-hardy citrus region are applying too much nitrogen to their groves. Muhammad Shahid, assistant professor of horticulture at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), discovered that unfortunate reality while conducting a research project in North Florida. Most citrus growers were following recommendations in the UF/IFAS Florida Citrus Production Guide, which are mostly …
All In For Citrus Podcast, April 2025
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 …
Citrus Innovation Center Opens in Florida
International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc. (IFF) on April 9 announced the opening of the Citrus Innovation Center in Lakeland, Florida, in partnership with Florida Polytechnic University. According to IFF, the 30,000-square-foot facility “encompasses state-of-the-art capabilities in botanical research leveraging … natural ingredients expertise, processing, analytics and product creation for scent and taste.” IFF stated that the center offers job opportunities …
Governor Names Florida Citrus Commissioners
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis recently appointed five new members to the Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) and reappointed five members. The new appointees are Emma Ezell, Sean Frielich, Vernon Hollingsworth III, Daniel Hunt and Melanie Ressler. Steve Johnson, Carlos Martinez, William Poulton, Daniel Sutton and John “Patrick” Schirard were reappointed. The FCC is the governing board of the Florida Department of …
Citrus Field Day Highlights Research
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 …
Florida Citrus Grower Feeling Encouraged
In a time when hope can be hard to find for the Florida citrus industry, one grower left last week’s Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute feeling encouraged. Whether it was meeting with fellow growers or learning about ongoing research that has long-term ramifications, Paul Koukos felt optimistic following the April 8 meeting. “It’s always good to get together with other growers, …
Gene Plays Role in Boosting Citrus Cold Tolerance
A pioneering study has uncovered the role of a key gene, PtrPAT1, in boosting cold tolerance in citrus plants by regulating the accumulation of glycine betaine (GB). This breakthrough deepens understanding of how plants cope with cold stress and opens the door to developing cold-resistant citrus varieties. Citrus plants, traditionally cultivated in tropical and subtropical climates, are highly vulnerable to …
Georgia Citrus Grower Discusses Satsuma Situation
Georgia’s citrus industry has found its footing more than a decade into production. Whether growers can thrive for the next 10 years may depend largely on their ability to expand production beyond satsuma mandarins. “It is a work in progress. Anybody getting into it will need to consider that,” Georgia grower Buck Paulk said. “There’s a lot of unknowns with …
Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute Included Interactive Element
Growers gathered in Avon Park for the annual Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute at South Florida Community College in early April. Scientists from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) presented updates on their work and the latest efforts to help in the fight against HLB. New this year, the scientists also hosted learning stations to further …





























