Agromillora, in collaboration with the Valencian Institute of Agricultural Research (IVIA), has introduced CIVAC-19, a new citrus rootstock. CIVAC-19 is the result of more than a decade of research between IVIA and Agromillora. It is a hybrid rootstock of Citrus reshni (Cleopatra mandarin) and Poncirus trifoliata (trifoliate orange). Its semi-dwarfing nature provides medium vigor, key for maintaining compact canopies and …
Taking a Closer Look at CRISPR in Citrus Breeding
By Manjul Dutt Editor’s Note: This is the second article in a series outlining how genetic technology can be using in citrus breeding. Traditional methods for improving citrus, such as crossbreeding different varieties, can be time-consuming due to the creation of a random mix of genes from both parents through a process called genetic introgression. In the article last month, …
New Chinese Citrus Hybrid Sells Out in Seven Days
A team of graduate students from the Citrus Research Institute of Southwest University sold out 5,000 boxes of a newly developed hybrid citrus variety in just seven days. The Citrus Research Institute in Chongqing, China, is affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. It all started when Li Shunxin, a graduate student under researcher Cao Li, and four classmates …
Foreign Barriers to Florida Citrus
The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) recently provided comments to the Office of the United States Trade Representative as part of the annual review of foreign barriers to U.S. exports and investment. The FFVA letter noted injury to Florida citrus caused by low-priced imports from Mexico and the European Union’s use of scientifically unjustified, non-tariff trade barriers. Letter excerpts …
Florida 500 Includes Citrus Leaders
Several men with strong ties to the citrus industry have been included in the 2025 edition of Florida Trend’s Florida 500. The Florida 500 highlights 500 influential executives from various economic sectors in the state. Florida Trend places a high premium on community service and philanthropy when selecting the Florida 500. “We look for individuals to whom others in their …
Fundecitrus Honors California Researcher
Brazilian citrus research organization Fundecitrus (Fund for Protection of Citriculture) recently honored University of California Davis (UC Davis) Distinguished Professor Walter Leal for his outstanding contribution to citriculture. Fundecitrus emphasized the importance of Leal’s work on the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) and citrus fruit borer. Brazilian native Leal is a member of the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology faculty …
Cold-Hardy Citrus Producers Should Prepare for Potential Freeze
Cold-hardy citrus producers need to be prepared for a potential freeze event next week. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, cautioned growers on the UGA Citrus Blog that temperatures are expected to drop in the low 30s across the region next Monday and Tuesday, and perhaps in the upper 20s in some areas. The …
Citrus Canker Detection in Alabama
Citrus canker, a federal and state regulated plant disease, has been detected in Mobile County, Alabama. As required by federal law, the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) will establish a citrus canker quarantine for the county. The Auburn University Plant Pathology Lab confirmed the first detection from foliage and fruit samples collected during ADAI’s routine citrus survey. The …
NuCitrus Shows Strong HLB Tolerance
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers are putting genes from a non-citrus plant into Hamlin oranges to develop citrus plants that fight huanglongbing (HLB), also known as citrus greening disease. The newly developed plant is called NuCitrus. It’s based on a protein called Arabidopsis NPR1 (AtNPR1). The new citrus shows strong tolerance to HLB, but not …
2025-26 Citrus State of the Industry Survey
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Two Practices to Improve Citrus Production
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers recently explained the benefits of raised bed planting and mulching to improve citrus tree establishment, productivity and resilience against environmental stress. Assistant Professor Muhmmad Shahid and Postdoc Scholar Shahid Iqbal, both of the North Florida Research and Education Center, and Associate Professor Davie Kadyampakeni of the Citrus Research and …
Top Concern of Citrus Industry Amid Government Shutdown
The potential absence of a legal workforce may be the greatest adverse impact the government shutdown has on Florida’s citrus industry, Florida Citrus Mutual (FCM) Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer Matt Joyner stated Oct. 31. Joyner said reports indicate that the Florida industry for the first time in years is “seeing real movement in the right direction” as …
Albritton Fighting For Citrus in the Florida Legislature
Editor’s note: This is the second installment of four articles honoring Ben Albritton, the 2025 Citrus Achievement Award winner. The 2025–26 citrus season has arrived, and growers are cautiously optimistic that trees might be turning in a more productive direction — if the weather cooperates. Many growers are taking advantage of Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) Foundation programs that …
Sneak Peek: November 2025 Citrus Industry
Coming soon in the November issue of Specialty Crop Grower magazine are several articles geared to citrus growers. The Citrus Industry section of the magazine addresses a range of topics, including irrigation and nutrient management, CRISPR breeding efforts, momentum and research projects for the Florida 2025–26 citrus season and more. One of the best ways to keep HLB-infected trees productive …
Florida Citrus Budget Adopted; Issues Updated
The Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) on Oct. 22 adopted a revised $23.4 million 2025–26 budget for the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC). The FDOC budget is funded in part by a tax on each box of fruit growers produce. That tax will remain unchanged from last year, as follows: The FCC also received updates on several issues affecting the Florida …
Bed System Benefits Citrus Production
A bed system used in citrus groves is still under research at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC) in Quincy. But one researcher is already convinced that the system, which includes fabric mulch, is beneficial for growers. “This system is better for them. It’s already being used in …
Florida Processed Citrus Standards Relaxed
The Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) on Oct. 22 temporarily eased maturity standards for processed oranges and processed grapefruit. The Florida Citrus Processors Association and Florida Citrus Mutual requested the changes, which were enacted by emergency rulemaking. The Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC), which the FCC governs, reported the maturity standard changes and the dates they are in effect. ORANGES For …
Citrus Concentrates Market to Rise
The global citrus concentrates market is anticipated to rise from U.S. $9.69 billion in 2025 to U.S. $13.81 billion by 2032, according to Persistence Market Research. The firm reports that citrus concentrates are in demand due to their versatility, natural flavor and nutritional benefits. They are widely used in juices, carbonated drinks, confectionery and dairy products, with orange and lemon …
All In For Citrus Podcast, October 2025
The October All In For Citrus podcast features citrus under protective screen (CUPS). Over the past decade, the practice has grown in popularity due to its ability to exclude the Asian citrus psyllid and huanglongbing (HLB) disease. Roughly 1,500 acres of citrus are grown under screen in Florida with more acreage under development. Lauren Diepenbrock, associate professor of entomology at …
Dundee Citrus Growers Association’s Callaham Honored
Steven Callaham, executive vice president and chief executive officer of Florida’s Dundee Citrus Growers Association (Dundee CGA) for the last 22 years, was recently honored by The Packer. He was recognized as one of the 25 fresh produce industry innovators and agents of change. Callaham graduated from the University of Florida College of Agriculture and joined Dundee in 1999. He …





























