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 …

July

Sneak Peek: July 2026 Citrus Industry

Daniel CooperCUPS, Events, Sneak Peek

The Citrus Industry section of the July 2026 issue of Specialty Crop Grower magazine provides conference coverage, new research on a biofertilizer, details on citrus under protective screen (CUPS) expansion and more. The section opens with coverage of the Florida Citrus Industry Annual Conference. Optimism ran high following a $196 million budget allocation for the citrus industry from the Florida …

botanical insecticides

Botanical Insecticides Aid in Citrus Greening Management

Daniel CooperBrazil, Pesticides

Brazilian research into botanical insecticides is yielding promising results for managing the Asian citrus psyllid that spreads citrus greening disease. Studies by Fundecitrus show that products based on natural compounds can serve as allies in controlling the psyllid and help reduce resistance to traditional chemical insecticides. TARGETING NYMPHS During the 2024–25 citrus season, more than 30 plant-based products were evaluated …

OTC

Panel Discussion on Optimizing OTC Performance at Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo

Daniel CooperCitrus Expo, HLB Management

Growers received welcomed news in June when trunk-injection therapy of oxytetracycline (OTC) was cleared for continued applications next season. Some growers have said the treatment has helped save groves from loss due to HLB. Ute Albrecht, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences associate professor, has been one of the lead researchers on OTC applications and its effectiveness. …

irrigation

Despite Drought Relief, Irrigation Remains Critical for Cold-Hardy Citrus

Daniel CooperCold Hardy, Irrigation

Increased rainfall across the cold-hardy citrus region is a sight for sore eyes. Still, citrus growers in South Georgia, North Florida and South Alabama must stay on top of their trees’ water needs to help ensure a viable crop this season. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, spoke on this subject at the recent …

Citrus Innovation Center

Citrus Innovation Center Creates Flavors and Fragrances

Daniel CooperResearch

When most folks think of Florida citrus, orange juice or fresh grapefruit comes to mind. Few appreciate the full diversity of the fruit hidden in its bloom, peel, juices and oils. That is where the Citrus Innovation Center comes in with high-tech approaches to extract more out of Florida’s signature crop. The 30,000-square-foot facility on the campus of Florida Polytechnic …