Tripti Vashisth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) associate professor of horticultural sciences, has dedicated several years of research into the use of plant growth regulators like gibberellic acid (GA) to fight fruit drop in citrus. In the August All In For Citrus Podcast, Michael Rogers, director of the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center, interviewed …
A Shift Toward Soil Microbes in Young Citrus Tree Care
SUMMARY: Many Florida citrus growers have made the decision to shift their focus away from saving older HLB-infected trees and toward protecting and strengthening young citrus trees, using soil probiotics, before too much damage is done. Understanding citrus trees’ vascular systemsCitrus trees have developed a complex but effective circulatory system for the uptake, storage, and utilization of water and nutrients. …
Sneak Peek: September 2022 Citrus Industry
The September issue of Citrus Industry magazine centers on two topics: citrus under protective screen (CUPS) research and a wrap-up from the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo. Three articles cover the latest CUPS findings from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. An article by Arnold Schumann and his colleagues includes a summary of seven seasons of …
What to Do About Three Florida Citrus Pests
Entomologist Lauren Diepenbrock discussed control of three pests — lebbeck mealybug, Bulimulus sporadicus snails and diaprepes root weevils — at the recent Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researcher described the mealybug and snails as “new pest challenges” and diaprepes as the resurgence of an old pest. LEBBECK MEALYBUGLebbeck mealybug was …
All In For Citrus Podcast, August 2022
The August episode of the All In For Citrus podcast takes listeners on a deep dive into the use of plant growth regulators like gibberellic acid (GA) to help fight fruit drop. The episode features an in-depth conversation between Michael Rogers, director of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center, and …
Groundcovers Influence Citrus Yield and Water Use
By Sandra M. Guzmán In Florida citrus, black fabric mulch groundcovers have been used for the control of the invasive Diaprepes abbreviatus (root weevil). However, these groundcovers can also serve as a best management practice (BMP) to optimize tree water uptake and maintain nutrients around the root system. A three-year University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) …
Using Technology to Support Citrus Management Decisions
By Yiannis Ampatzidis and Sandra M. Guzmán Pests and diseases, nutrient deficiencies, tree stress from environmental conditions and other factors can be overwhelming. The arrival of sensors and small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) make it possible to gather large amounts of data to assess risk factors and estimate possible crop performance scenarios based on the availability of resources. At the …
Minimize Mite Pressure in Citrus
Hot temperatures and dry conditions in some parts of the Southeast add up to ideal conditions for mite populations to increase in citrus groves. Lauren Diepenbrock, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences assistant professor and entomologist, said citrus can tolerate some spider mite pressure. Increased pressure, though, can leave an impact. “You can handle some amount of …
Two-Time Gun Safe Winner at Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo
One of the top traditions at the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo that growers look forward to every year is the annual gun safe giveaway sponsored by Everglades Equipment Group. Only growers who preregister for the event are eligible to win the valuable prize. Miss Florida Citrus Payton Barrington drew the winning name. Austin Pell of Pell Citrus and Nursery …
New Finger Lime Cultivars for the Specialty Citrus Market
By Manjul Dutt The finger lime is an HLB-tolerant Australian native citrus that has been gaining popularity and importance in the last few years. Finger lime has several unique fruit qualities that set it apart from conventional sweet oranges and mandarins. The primary characteristic of this fruit is the round to teardrop-shaped juice vesicles, known as “citrus caviar,” that burst …
Florida Citrus Hall of Fame Ceremonies to Be Oct. 14
The 2022 Florida Citrus Hall of Fame induction ceremonies will be held Friday, Oct. 14 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Florida Southern College’s (FSC) George W. Jenkins Fieldhouse. The college is at 111 Lake Hollingsworth Drive in Lakeland. The event is sponsored by Florida Citrus Mutual, the Florida Department of Citrus and the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame, …
Citrus Industry Weighs In on Oxytetracycline Trunk Injection
Trunk injection of oxytetracycline (OTC) has been proposed as a means to manage HLB in citrus. University of Florida research shows OTC injections increase yield and fruit quality but cause tree injury. TJ BioTech expects to receive EPA registration in late fall of this year for an OTC product that could be injected into trees. Florida citrus industry growers and …
Water Shortage Is Latest Texas Citrus Concern
A little more than 20 inches of rain has fallen on Dale Murden’s Texas grapefruit grove in 2022 — “about average for the year,” he says. But the majority of Texas is in severe drought, and that poses problems for Murden and other Texas growers, especially for the future. “We just are not seeing any rain or significant inflows in …
Florida Citrus Commissioners Reappointed
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Aug. 5 announced the reappointment of the nine members of the Florida Citrus Commission. They are: CHRISTOPHER GROOMGroom is chief operating officer of Florida’s Natural Growers. He serves as vice president and treasurer of Florida’s Natural Growers Foundation. Groom earned his bachelor’s degree in economics and Hispanic studies from Northwestern University and his master’s degree in …
Citrus Growers Gather to Learn About Gibberellic Acid
In the quest for better fruit retention in HLB-infected citrus, there has been a good deal of attention placed on the use of plant growth regulators to fight fruit drop. Gibberellic acid (GA) has been the focus of new research in recent years to establish refined timing of applications to optimize results in Florida citrus. Much of that research has …
The Need for New Investors in Florida Citrus
By Thomas H. Spreen As many of you know, I have been part-owner of a small citrus grove company in Florida. My long-time partner was Bob Behr, CEO of Florida’s Natural. He was a student in the first class I taught at the University of Florida in the spring of 1977. He and I made our first grove purchase in …
How to Manage Salt Stress in Citrus Groves
By Amir Rezazadeh Saline soil and water damage many citrus groves in Florida. In general, when the dissolved salt concentration in soil or water increases, it is referred to as “saline” soil or water. But how much increase in salt concentration makes soil or water saline? Citrus plants’ major reactions to excessive salt in the soil or water are reduced …
First U.S. Detection of Citrus Yellow Vein Clearing Virus
The first detection of citrus yellow vein clearing virus (CYVCV) has been made in Tulare, California. The disease was detected during the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) routine multi-pest survey. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed positive identifications of the disease. CDFA is surveying for the disease in Tulare County …
What’s Next for the Donaldson Citrus Variety?
During this summer’s Florida Citrus Industry Annual Conference, Matthew Mattia, a post-doctoral associate with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), discussed his work to identify the origins of the Donaldson citrus variety. The variety is a single tree on the USDA A.H. Whitmore Foundation Farm near Groveland, Florida. Mattia was the first to discover the tree on the farm in …
Global Citrus Production Is Up in All Categories
Brazil, China and Mexico are the top producers. Brazil easily continues to lead the world in orange and orange juice (OJ) production, while China dominates in production of tangerines/mandarins and grapefruit. Mexico remains the leading producer of lemons and limes. These facts come from a July report on world citrus issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service. …





























