benefits

Silicon Benefits Citrus

Daniel CooperCitrus Expo, Nutrition

A University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researcher recently highlighted a number of benefits from using silicon as a nutrient for citrus. Muhammad Shahid, assistant professor at the North Florida Research and Education Center, presented silicon research findings at the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo in August.   According to Shahid, silicon is categorized as a plant …

blood oranges

Blood Oranges Could Be Profitable Option for Cold-Hardy Citrus Producers

Daniel CooperCold Hardy

Blood oranges may be an enticing fruit to grow for cold-hardy citrus producers in North Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama. Muhammad Shahid, assistant professor of horticulture at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), highlighted his blood orange research during the Cold-Hardy Citrus Field Day and Workshop at the North Florida Research and Education Center …

future

A Bright Future and New Normal for Citrus

Daniel CooperCitrus Expo

Citrus has a brighter future in Florida and surrounding areas, according to one industry expert. Hopefully, there will be enough farmers left standing to profit from it. Rick Dantzler, Citrus Research and Development Foundation chief operating officer, was a featured speaker at this year’s Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo. He spoke about the industry’s future as it continues to navigate …

diseases

Phytophthora Root Rot a Concern in the Cold-Hardy Region

Tacy CalliesCold Hardy, Diseases

Phytophthora root rot’s impact on young citrus trees is concerning for groves in the cold-hardy citrus region of North Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama. Newly planted trees are more vulnerable to the disease than older, established trees, says Jonathan Oliver, University of Georgia assistant professor and small fruits pathologist. He discussed the disease’s impact during the Citrus Grower’s Summer …

summer update

Summer Update Informs Growers on Impactful Issues

Daniel CooperEvents, Georgia

The annual Citrus Grower’s Summer Update meeting on Aug. 14 in Valdosta, Georgia, provided cold-hardy growers with updates on several factors impacting the industry. Information on topics ranging from snails to phytophthora to Asian citrus psyllid trapping were presented to growers who are on the cusp of harvesting another season’s crop. Jake Price, University of Georgia (UGA) area citrus agent …

learning process

Cold-Hardy Citrus Production: A Learning Process

Daniel CooperCold Hardy

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. …

nutrient

Emerging Trends in Nutrient Rate Studies

Daniel CooperAs Seen On Instagram, Nutrition, Tip of the Week

By Davie Kadyampakeni, Noor Basar, Alisheikh Atta, Muhammad Shahid, Shahid Iqbal and Alan Wright Citrus trees in Florida impacted by HLB have limited nutrient uptake largely due to limited root mass, compromised physiology and extremely sandy soil. The state’s current nutrient management guidelines were developed based on data prior to the spread of HLB, when trees had dense canopies and …

leaf tissue

Leaf Tissue Analysis for Cold-Hardy Citrus

Daniel CooperCold Hardy, Nutrition

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 …

soil sampling

Soil Sampling Is Key to Cold-Hardy Citrus Fertilization

Daniel CooperCold Hardy, Nutrition

Soil sampling is one of two keys to building a good citrus fertilization program in North Florida and South Georgia, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers wrote recently. The authors are Muhammad A. Shahid, assistant professor of horticulture, and postdoc scholar Shahid Iqbal, both with the North Florida Research and Education Center. Shahid and Iqbal …

trunk injection

The Potential of Trunk Injection for Fresh Market Citrus

Daniel CooperFresh, HLB Management

By John M. Chater Citrus tree trunk injection of antibiotics has been recently and widely used in Florida. The success of oxytetracycline (OTC) in sweet orange to mitigate huanglongbing (HLB or citrus greening) disease has been documented by the laboratory of Ute Albrecht, associate professor at the University of Florida. Some results suggest that OTC injection can improve Brix, ratio, …

season

Extremely Low Satsuma Supply Expected This Season

Daniel CooperCold Hardy, Production

Fruit is scarce this season on satsuma trees in the Southeast. There was an oversupply of satsuma mandarins in the cold-hardy citrus region last season. That will not be the case in 2025. According to Lindy Savelle, executive director of the Georgia Citrus Association and member of the Georgia Citrus Commission, satsuma supply will be extremely low for the upcoming …

health

Boost Citrus Health and Yield With Silicon

Daniel CooperNutrition, Tip of the Week

By Muhammad A. Shahid and KeAndre Leaks Silicon (Si) is an emerging powerhouse in citrus production, offering wide-ranging benefits for plant health, fruit quality and stress resilience. While not traditionally considered essential, silicon was officially recognized as a “plant beneficial substance” in 2012 by the American Association of Plant Food Control Officials. Its inclusion as an approved input by the …

slug and snail

Grower Participation Sought for Slug and Snail Survey

Daniel CooperPests, Survey

Researchers at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) are asking growers to participate in a survey about slug and snail pests affecting horticultural crops. The outcome will aid in a research project aimed at the development of appropriate Extension and research control methods against these pests. The title of the research project is Understanding and …

mites

Management of Mites for Fresh Market Citrus

Daniel CooperCold Hardy, Pests

University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Associate Professor Xavier Martini recently wrote an article In the Cold Hardy Citrus Connection about management of mites for fresh market citrus. Martini is an entomologist at the North Florida Research and Education Center. An edited version of his article follows.  Two types of mites mainly affect citrus production in …

dry

Citrus Water Needs Critical Amid Dry Period

Daniel CooperIrrigation, Weather

The current dry period in the Southeast can negatively impact the region’s citrus groves. Trees in the cold-hardy citrus region of North Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama need water, especially ahead of the next harvest season. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, discussed why water is so important this time of year. “Water …

nitrogen

Nitrogen Reduction Needed in Cold-Hardy Citrus Region

Daniel CooperAs Seen On Instagram, Cold Hardy, Nutrition

Growers in the cold-hardy citrus region are applying too much nitrogen to their groves. Muhammad Shahid, assistant professor of horticulture at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), discovered that unfortunate reality while conducting a research project in North Florida. Most citrus growers were following recommendations in the UF/IFAS Florida Citrus Production Guide, which are mostly …

fdoc

Juice Market Brings Questions for Georgia Citrus Growers

Tacy CalliesCold Hardy, Georgia, Orange Juice

Expansion into the juice market may unlock a profitable marketing opportunity for Georgia citrus growers. But questions remain before growers can start planning this new course of action, says Lindy Savelle, executive director of the Georgia Citrus Association. “Hamlins and perhaps some early-season Valencias would work here in Georgia,” Savelle said. One question Georgia growers have about entering the juice …

pest populations

Scout to Stay Ahead of Pest Populations

Daniel CooperPests

It is much better for Florida citrus growers to be proactive than reactive when managing pest populations. Scouting and monitoring citrus groves is crucial for growers who hope to thwart off impacts from insects like the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP). If growers are not successful, they will be behind the eight ball in minimizing the impact of these annual pests. …

Citrus Health Forum

Citrus Health Forum Brings Together Growers and Researchers

Daniel CooperCold Hardy, Events

By Maegan Beatty Earlier this month, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC) hosted the 2025 Citrus Health Forum. Growers gathered to learn about citrus production and hear regional citrus updates. Muhammad Shahid, UF/IFAS assistant professor, presented information on optimizing nitrogen fertilization to enhance the quality of satsuma mandarins. …

weed management

Pre-emergent Herbicides Preferred for Weed Management

Daniel Cooperweeds

It is best for citrus growers to implement a proactive approach to weed management. Being reactive puts producers behind the eight ball with regards to controlling certain weeds in their groves. That’s why Ramdas Kanissery, weed scientist and associate professor at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), is preaching the importance of pre-emergent herbicides. They …