A recent study finds that moderate consumption of up to one cup per day of natural juices, such as 100% orange juice (OJ), lowers the risk of dementia. Inversely, consuming up to two cups per day of artificially sweetened beverages, and more than two cups per day of sugar-sweetened beverages, increases the risk of dementia. The study was published by …
Connect and Learn at the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo
By Jamie D. Burrow and Ruth Borger The Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo has always been a time for the industry to gather, learn and reminiscence. During the Expo at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa on Aug. 16–17, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Extension booth is in a new location near the …
Origin of Oranges Can Be Determined
A Citrus Australia study has used trace elements or isotopes to determine if an orange originated in Australia as opposed to another country. Using the same techniques, researchers can differentiate place of origin of Australian oranges into one of the five Australian growing regions. The first-of-its-kind study was conducted through an Agriculture Victoria Food to Market program. Citrus Australia noted …
CRDF Board Focused on HLB Treatments
The Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) board of directors meeting in July focused largely on the use of oxytetracycline (OTC) as an HLB treatment in citrus. The board considered projects testing it in combination with other antimicrobial compounds or as a standalone treatment. Trunk injection of OTC has given the Florida citrus industry hope that it might be a …
Growers Learn About Cost-Share Opportunities
The Mid-Florida Research and Education Center in Apopka hosted the first annual Growing Together: Central Florida Partners for Agriculture Symposium on July 27. The event was for both beginning and experienced growers and explored various tax, regulatory and insurance issues farm businesses must deal with. Several presentations focused on irrigation and nutrient management and how growers can obtain cost-share funds …
UF/IFAS Educational Programs at Expo
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus researchers and Extension staff will provide multiple educational programs at the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo Aug. 16–17. The event will be held at a new location this year — the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. Attendance is free to growers, but registration is required. UF faculty and staff …
Silicon Recommendations for Citrus
A University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researcher recently wrote an article about silicon that included recommendations for its use. The article by Muhmmad Shahid, assistant professor of horticulture, appeared in the UF/IFAS Cold Hardy Citrus Connection newsletter. Silicon’s benefits may include improved yield, a strengthened root system and tolerance to abiotic stress, including cold. Excerpts …
Grower-Friendly HLB Research Summaries
The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA) provides research directed at overcoming the devastating HLB disease and protecting the nation’s citrus industry. Since 2014, NIFA has funded approximately $200 million for HLB research projects. Many HLB-related NIFA project one-page summaries are now easily accessible and written in a grower-friendly language and format on the …
Improve Irrigation Scheduling for Better Tree Response
By Davie Kadyampakeni Citrus trees require water to be able to carry out the natural processes of growth, making food, and developing fruit and juice. To get the water from the soil, the fibrous roots do the extraneous work of absorbing the water and carrying it via the transpiration stream to the leaves. The water in the soil is made …
Turkey Citrus Forecasts See Some Declines
Lemon and grapefruit crops will be smaller than the previous year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) stated in a recent report on Turkey citrus. The country’s orange juice (OJ) production is forecast to stay the same. LEMONSTurkey’s 2022–23 fresh lemon production forecast is 1.32 million metric tons (MMT), 11% lower than the previous season. The …
Accelerating Citrus Breeding Efforts
By John M. Chater Professors Jude Grosser and Fred Gmitter have been breeding improved citrus varieties at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) for decades. Over time, they have released several of their advanced selections. Many of these selections are sweet oranges. There is a subset of these creations …
European Mandarin Production Declines
European Union (EU) mandarin production in 2022–23 is forecast at 3 million metric tons (MMT), down almost 4% from the prior season, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) recently reported. The shortage in EU mandarin production this year is mainly the result of anticipated decreases in Spain, EU’s major mandarin producer. Spain and Italy are respectively …
Groups Challenge Florida Immigration Law
The American Immigration Council (AIC) and other organizations announced they will file a federal lawsuit challenging Florida’s Senate Bill 1718, an immigration law that went into effect July 1. Joining AIC in the suit are The Southern Poverty Law Center, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), ACLU of Florida and Americans for Immigrant Justice. The Florida Senate summarizes the bill as “Prohibiting …
Rossi Selected for Leadership Training
Lorenzo Rossi, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) assistant professor, has been selected to train in the American Society for Horticultural Science’s Leadership Academy. Rossi leads a team of 15 associates who perform research to support high-value crops, including citrus, at the UF/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center in Fort Pierce. He was selected for …
Capitalize on Cooperative Research
By Larry Duncan The growers advising the Citrus Research and Development Foundation understand very well the importance of cooperative research projects between growers and scientists. Several years ago, they earmarked a portion of research funding, not for carefully managed laboratory experiments or small plot trials at state, federal or private research centers, but rather for grower-run trials testing potential HLB …
Stress Factors and Hurricane-Damaged Trees
By Syed Bilal Hussain, Rachel Gearhart, G. Zeng Michalzcyk and Christopher Vincent Hurricane Ian in 2022 caused significant damage to Florida citrus groves. Even groves that experienced only Category 1 winds have begun to decline as the weather has warmed. Signs of canopy decline include branch dieback and leaf drop. Branches with new growth are also experiencing leaf drop. These …
World Citrus Organisation Gains First Mexican Member
Citrojugo in June became the first Mexican member of the World Citrus Organisation (WCO). Citrojugo, based in Tecomán, is a producer, processor and marketer of acid citrus-based juices, essential oils and dried peels. WCO is a global platform for dialogue and action that brings together citrus-producing countries. The group includes more than 40 other associations, companies and members that work …
USDA to Buy Fresh Grapefruit for Food Programs
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced plans to purchase fresh grapefruit for distribution to various food nutrition assistance programs. The purpose is to encourage the continued domestic consumption of these products by diverting them from the normal channels of trade and commerce. USDA said ample availability of fresh grapefruit is projected to increase due to slower movement in …
Grapefruit Rootstock/Scion Research Update
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers Mark Ritenour and Flavia Zambon recently provided an update on a large field trial. The project is called Evaluation of Potential HLB Tolerant Grapefruit Rootstock/Scion Combinations in the Indian River District of Florida. A summary of their update follows: The project started as a collaborative effort between the UF/IFAS …
Greasy-Green Research Update
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researchers Megan Dewdney, Mark Ritenour, Liliana Cano, Eva Mulandesa and Monty Myers recently provided an update of their greasy-green disorder research. Excerpts follow from the Indian River Citrus League’s River Ramblings publication: “Greasy green” is a term applied to fruit that develop what appears to be greasy spot rind blotch symptoms …





























