In 2012, Jennifer Doudna, Emmanuelle Charpentier and their research team published a paper in the journal Science describing the CRISPR-Cas9 system as a precise gene-editing tool. It was considered a major scientific breakthrough with huge possibilities in human medicine and in agriculture. Doudna and Charpentier were awarded the Noble Peace Prize in chemistry in 2020 for their pioneering work with …
Fundecitrus Hosts California Delegation
Brazil’s Fundecitrus recently hosted a delegation of approximately 20 agricultural leaders from California. Karen Ross, secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, led the delegation. The group visited Brazil to learn more about Fundecitrus’ research, education, training and sustainability initiatives focused on citrus farming. The Californians participated in technical discussions with researchers and took a tour of Fundecitrus’ …
Preventing Citrus Greening Establishment in Georgia Groves
Citrus greening disease has yet to find its footing in Georgia. But that doesn’t mean it can’t or won’t eventually. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, discussed the ramifications of citrus greening during the recent Southeast Citrus Update in Lyons, Georgia. “If we get greening established here, we’ll start seeing lower and lower production on …
Florida Has a New Citrus Extension Agent
Edwin Gutierrez is the new University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus Extension agent for Florida’s Manatee, DeSoto and Hardee counties. “The citrus industry in Manatee, Hardee and DeSoto counties faces significant challenges,” said Gutierrez, who was raised in a farming family in Colombia. “Despite these challenges, I remain optimistic about the resilience of local growers …
UF/IFAS To Share the Latest Research at the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo
By Jamie D. Burrow and Tripti Vashisth There are many aspects to research from start to finish, but it’s the time in between that can be most intriguing and exciting. Each year, the UF/IFAS Citrus Team brings the latest research to the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo. The Aug. 20–21 trade show at the Florida State Fairgrounds will be your …
CITRUS NURSERY SOURCE: Gearing Up for a New Season
By Peter Chaires Summer schedules can make it challenging to assemble board meetings and facilitate planning for the fall season. Once the Florida Citrus Industry Annual Conference concludes in June, folks tend to disperse to their favorite islands, fishing holes, mountain hideaways and beaches. Some visit friends and family. Others seek isolation and a psychological recharge. For everything, there is …
Honeymoon Phase for Georgia Citrus Production
Georgia citrus growers are still in the honeymoon phase of production with regards to disease, said Jonathan Oliver, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and small fruits pathologist. While established groves in Florida have had to deal with disease buildup for decades, disease has yet to be problematic for South Georgia citrus production. But that could be changing. “With respect …
Probable Requirements for Shipping Georgia Citrus to Florida
The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) recently announced probable State of Florida requirements for shipping fresh citrus from Georgia to Florida in the upcoming season. Georgia hopes to again be able to ship fresh fruit to Florida in 2025 to be packed. As in previous years, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will almost certainly require groves to …
Extensive Educational Opportunities at the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo
The Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo is fast approaching. During the July All In For Citrus podcast, Tripti Vashisth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) associate professor, discussed the extensive citrus seminar program scheduled for Aug. 20–21 at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. The citrus sessions will include more than 20 speakers over the course …
Brazil and China Cooperating on Citrus Greening Research
Fundecitrus Executive Director Juliano Ayres and researcher Nelson Wulff visited China recently to learn about strategies to combat citrus greening and to strengthen research partnerships. Their agenda included technical visits and participation in an international symposium on biotechnological innovations aimed at controlling greening. Among the highlights was a visit to the greenhouse of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing. …
Cold-Hardy Citrus Growers Should Consider Multiple Varieties
By Clint Thompson and Dale Sandlin The potential lack of satsuma mandarins this season in the cold-hardy citrus region should not discourage growers from adding to their production portfolio in the future. It just means they need to try other varieties, despite satsumas being the most commonly produced variety in the region. Jake Price, University of Georgia (UGA) area citrus …
Mounting Concern for American Tariffs on South African Citrus
The Citrus Growers Association (CGA) of South Africa expressed concern about newly proposed U.S. tariffs that threaten the viability of South African citrus exports to America. According to the association, a 30% tariff rate placed on South African citrus would put the industry at a significant disadvantage, since some other citrus-exporting countries face only a 10% levy. The association warned …
Cold-Hardy Citrus Production: A Learning Process
Production in the cold-hardy citrus region continues to be a learning process for growers. Producers in North Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama are learning this year the price of alternate bearing for their satsuma mandarin crop. After a heavy crop load last season, production is expected to taper off quite a bit this season across the cold-hardy citrus region. …
Sneak Peek: August 2025 Citrus Industry
August signals that the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo is soon to come! The August issue of Specialty Crop Grower magazine previews the show growers look forward to every year. The not-to-be-missed event takes place Aug. 20–21 at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. In the Citrus Industry section of the magazine, growers can get an update on the progress …
Organic Citrus Market Growth
The organic citrus market in the United States experienced impressive growth in 2024, driven by rising consumer demand and increased interest in organic, sustainable food options. According to the newly released State of Organic Produce 2024, organic citrus sales hit $303 million, reflecting a 6.9% increase over the previous year. In terms of volume, the category saw a 3.4% rise, …
New Resource for Citrus Exporters
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS) launched a new resource to support American farmers’ access to international trade opportunities. Maximum Residue Limit Quick Reference Sheets provide information about pesticide residue requirements in major export markets for U.S. producers and shippers of fruits, vegetables and other horticultural crops. USDA FAS developed the MRL Quick Reference Sheets in partnership …
All In For Citrus Podcast, July 2025
The July All In For Citrus podcast episode focuses on the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo. The event is scheduled for Aug. 20–21 at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. Micheal Rogers, director of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center, previews a new, special educational session on alternative crops. Rogers …
Citrus Greening Quarantines Expanded in California
Federal and state agriculture officials recently expanded the areas quarantined for citrus greening disease in California. They expanded the quarantined area in the Coto de Caza area of Orange County by 11 square miles, the Rancho Santa Margarita area of Orange County by 93 square miles, the Perris area of Riverside County by 37 square miles, and the Rancho Cucamonga …
Leaf Tissue Analysis for Cold-Hardy Citrus
Leaf tissue analysis is a key to building a good citrus fertilization program in North Florida and South Georgia, according to University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers. The researchers are Muhammad Shahid, assistant professor of horticulture, and postdoc scholar Shahid Iqbal, both with the North Florida Research and Education Center. “Leaf tissue analysis determines the …
U.S. Tariff Threatens South African Citrus
A newly announced 30% tariff on South African citrus exports to the United States, set to take effect Aug. 1, has drawn sharp backlash from agricultural stakeholders and trade experts. As part of a broader enforcement action targeting 14 countries, this move places South Africa in a precarious economic position — despite its historically open trade relationship with the United …