citrus species

Citrus Species Show Different Responses to HLB

Daniel CooperHLB Management, Research

Researchers are studying why some citrus species appear to handle huanglongbing (HLB) better than others. Understanding these differences could help breeders develop more resilient citrus varieties and rootstocks for future production. A new study compared nine citrus species infected with HLB and identified differences in how the plants respond to the disease, including changes in nutrient levels, stress responses and …

American

USDA To Buy Fresh Citrus From American Growers

Daniel CooperFresh, USDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on July 23 announced its intent to purchase $32.5 million of fresh citrus from American growers. USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, under Section 32 of the Agriculture Act of 1935, will make the purchases. The fresh citrus will be distributed to food banks and nutrition assistance programs across the country. The fresh citrus purchases will …

roots

Building Stronger Citrus Roots Against Extreme Weather

Daniel CooperRoot health, Texas, Weather

Heavy March rain in Texas’ citrus-production region brought both a sigh of relief and concerns, according to Texas A&M University-Kingsville Citrus Center researchers Veronica Ancona, Joel Cabrera and Madhurababu Kunta. TEXAS FLOODING “Receiving from 12 to 24 inches of rain across the region sounds great, except that it was in a short period of time, leaving areas flooded, including citrus …

southeast

UGA Extension Hosts Southeast Citrus Workshop

Daniel CooperCold Hardy, Events, Georgia

A part of Georgia’s citrus crop lies in the southeastern part of the state. Aubrey Shirley, University of Georgia (UGA) Tattnall County Extension coordinator, believes that portion is continuing to grow. The main threat to that growth is citrus greening disease. “If we get greening really bad and it starts to hinder production, I think the industry is so young, …

August

Sneak Peek: August 2026 Citrus Industry

Daniel CooperSneak Peek

The Citrus Industry section of the August issue of Specialty Crop Grower magazine features practical production advice, a new variety resource, citrus marketing insights and more. The section opens with a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) article explaining crop load management and alternate bearing in citrus. Fernando Alferez and Muhammad A. Shahid discuss why citrus …

Peel

Assessing Citrus Varieties for Peel Benefits

Daniel CooperResearch, Varieties

Many people throw away citrus peels because they are too bitter to eat raw, but this outer layer of the fruit’s skin is a rich source of many sought-after beneficial compounds. The peel is in demand for companies seeking to use those compounds for health and pharmaceutical products.  Christina Dorado, lead scientist and chemist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture …

San Joaquin

Citrus Yellow Vein Clearing Virus Confirmed in San Joaquin County

Daniel CooperCalifornia Corner, Diseases

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) confirmed the positive identification of citrus yellow vein clearing virus (CYVCV) in a residential citrus tree in the Lodi area of San Joaquin County. The plant sample was confirmed positive for CYVCV on July 7 following a routine multi-pest survey …

Florida Citrus

Florida Citrus Finds New Momentum

Daniel CooperFlorida Department of Citrus

Shannon Shepp, Florida Department of Citrus executive director, recently discussed the renewed sense of optimism being felt in the Florida citrus industry due to recent positive developments. INCREASED CITRUS PRODUCTION One of the reasons for optimism is the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s final citrus forecast for the 2025–26 season. Despite weathering another challenging season, including damaging freezes, Florida orange production …

phytophthora

Managing Phytophthora in Cold-Hardy Citrus

Daniel CooperCold Hardy, Diseases

In Florida, the soilborne phytophthora pathogens — primarily Phytophthora nicotianae and Phytophthora palmivora — are the leading causes of root rot, crown rot and foot rot. Two University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers recently wrote about phytophthora management in cold-hardy citrus. The authors are Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist Muhammad Shahid and postdoc Carlos Aucique-Perez, …

varieties

Take a Closer Look at New Varieties at the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo

Morgan ColeCitrus Expo, Varieties

For the past several years, John Chater, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences assistant professor of horticultural sciences, has been charged with acting as a conduit between citrus breeders and growers seeking information on new varieties and rootstocks to plant. Chater has worked with growers to evaluate new varieties planted in the real world. This has given …

grading

Improving Automated Citrus Grading

Daniel CooperPacking, Technology

New research in China suggests that combining traditional color cameras with near-infrared imaging could make automated citrus grading systems much better at detecting surface defects. The technology has the potential to improve packhouse efficiency, reduce the number of defective fruit reaching consumers and help growers maximize the value of their crop. The study, published in the journal Agriculture, was conducted …

citrus team

Visit the UF/IFAS Citrus Team at the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo

Daniel CooperCitrus Expo, Tip of the Week

By Jamie D. Burrow and Tripti Vashisth The UF/IFAS Citrus Team conducts ongoing research to improve citrus production management strategies. The Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo is one of the main annual events where the team comes together to showcase the latest research and tools available to citrus growers. For more than 20 years, the citrus team has had a …

postharvest

Strawberry Leaf Extract Offers Hope for Control of Postharvest Citrus Diseases

Daniel CooperDiseases, Research

Postharvest diseases such as green mold (Penicillium digitatum), blue mold (P. italicum) and sour rot (Geotrichum citri-aurantii) cause heavy losses in citrus crops. These fungi thrive in warm, humid regions and have developed resistance to common fungicides such as imazalil, thiabendazole and pyrimethanil, driving up costs and raising environmental and regulatory concerns. A new study offers hope using a simple, …

predatory

Predatory Mite Promising for Citrus Nematodes

Daniel CooperBiologicals, Pests, Research

A naturally occurring predatory soil mite may one day become another tool for helping citrus growers manage citrus nematodes without relying solely on chemical controls. That’s according to a new study published in the journal Biology by Mahmoud M. Al-Azzazy and Suloiman M. Al-Rehiayani of the Department of Plant Protection, College of Agriculture and Food at Qassim University in Saudi …

new

Experience What’s New at the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo

Daniel CooperCitrus Expo, Events

The 2026 Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo is returning Aug.12–13 to Fort Myers, bringing fresh opportunities for Florida growers to learn, connect and discover the latest innovations shaping the industry. This year’s Expo will be held at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center in downtown Fort Myers, with the Luminary Hotel just steps away. The new waterfront venue features an updated …

Final Citrus Forecast of the Season Ends on a Positive Note

Tacy CalliesCrop Forecast

The final federal citrus crop forecast of the 2025–26 citrus season, issued July 10, projects increased production for Florida citrus varieties compared to the April forecast.   The July forecast, issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA NASS), also includes forecasts for other U.S. citrus-producing states. FLORIDAThe final orange forecast for Florida is 12.92 million …

fertilizer trial

Georgia Citrus Production Status and Fertilizer Trial

Daniel CooperGeorgia, Nutrition, Production

Mary Sutton, assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist at the University of Georgia, provided an update on the status of the state’s citrus crop and discussed a fertilizer trial her laboratory is conducting. FRUIT DROP AND FRUIT SIZE Sutton reported that June drop is wrapping up for much citrus. “We should see less fruit drop as we move into the …

Florida

Florida Southern College Citrus Groves Rehabilitated

Daniel CooperEducation

A collaborative effort among citrus industry partners and Florida Southern College (FSC) has led to the rehabilitation of two historic citrus groves on the Lakeland campus. The rehabilitation was made possible through donations by FSC alumnus Phillip Rucks of Rucks Citrus Nursery, as well as Mike Hurst of Mike Hurst Citrus Services. Rucks Nursery provided the trees that form the …

Citrus leafminer

Citrus Leafminers Are Back in Georgia

Daniel CooperGeorgia, Pests

Apurba Barman, assistant entomology professor at the University of Georgia (UGA), recently wrote about citrus leafminer (CLM) damage resuming in Georgia groves. His article provided management recommendations, including timing of insecticides. Edited excerpts follow: PEST DAMAGE As the temperature rises, so does the potential for CLM attack. CLM is a serious pest resulting in feeding damage to young shoots and …

grower

CITRUS NURSERY SOURCE: A Grower Wish List

Daniel CooperCitrus Nursery Source

By Peter Chaires There has been a good bit of talk recently about an anticipated shift in Florida citrus utilization. Some growers, who for many years saw their fruit utilized in processing, are looking for ways to get more of their crop in a fresh market carton for 2026–27. While grapefruit has always been grown with the fresh market in …