What To Do When You’ve Been Exposed to a Pesticide

Josh McGillCEU

By Matt Smith Editor’s note: This article grants one continuing education unit (CEU) in the Core category toward the renewal of a Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services restricted-use pesticide license when the accompanying test is submitted and approved. “In retrospect, I would rather have been a poet. Or a farmer.” Instead, British Special Air Services Agent John Patrick …

New Twist Added to Psyllid Control

Josh McGillHLB Management, Pests

Lukasz Stelinski for years has promoted saving money on HLB control by spraying for Asian citrus psyllids (ACP) only when their populations reach a certain threshold. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences professor still promotes that concept, but with a slightly new twist. TRUNK INJECTION SHOWING PROMISEIn a virtual seminar on April 25, Stelinski advised growers …

Sneak Peek: May 2023 Citrus Industry

Josh McGillCUPS, Sneak Peek

Some growers are taking a closer look at citrus under protective screen (CUPS), while others have already adopted the production system. CUPS has been proven to protect trees from HLB and hurricane damage. The May issue of Citrus Industry magazine features grower brothers who are early adopters of CUPS. Jerry and Keith Mixon have 150 acres of CUPS production in …

IPCs and Citrus Varieties

Josh McGillIPCs, Tip of the Week, Varieties

By Fernando Alferez Five years of University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) data in trials across the state have shown that individual protective covers (IPCs) are effective in preventing HLB until they are removed. This has been shown in sweet orange varieties such as Valencia and Hamlin. In these varieties, it has been demonstrated that the …

citrus

All In For Citrus Podcast, April 2023

Josh McGillAll In For Citrus Podcast, Breeding, Events

April was a busy month for citrus events with both the Citrus Growers’ Institute and the Florida Grower Citrus Show taking place. Michael Rogers, director of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC), joined the All In For Citrus podcast to discuss the success of the two events. Both gatherings …

Lebbeck Mealybug Workshop on April 25

Josh McGillEvents, Pests

Researchers are offering a lebbeck mealybug detection workshop in Fort Pierce on April 25. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Indian River Research and Education Center (IRREC). Register for the meeting here. Lebbeck mealybug (Nipaecoccus viridis) is an invasive pest that can cost the …

Using Artificial Intelligence to Address Ag Challenges

Tacy CalliesAgriculture, Technology

Far from his roots in a small town in northwest China, Changying “Charlie” Li is now the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) artificial intelligence (AI) administrative coordinator. He’s also a professor of agricultural and biological engineering.  Li joined UF/IFAS last year to focus on agricultural AI with research, teaching and administration appointments. He wants to …

Can Brassinosteroids Help Citrus Cope With Disease and Extreme Weather?

Josh McGillDiseases, Research, Weather

By Fernando Alferez and Muhammad A. Shahid Brassinosteroids (BRs) are a natural group of hormones that regulate physiological and biochemical attributes that include seed germination, flower development, root formation and resistance to various abiotic and biotic stresses. BRs have shown promise in reducing pests and diseases in a wide range of plants, including citrus. A commercial formulation of BRs has …

Redesigned Florida Grower Citrus Show a Sweet Success

Josh McGillEvents

The reinvigorated Florida Grower Citrus Show was a crowd-pleaser in its first year hosted by AgNet Media. The annual event was relocated to University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) facilities in Fort Pierce. It was streamlined from a two-day format to a one-day event. The show brought together exhibitors who …

Canopy Assist: A New Way to Measure Tree Health

Josh McGillAll In For Citrus Podcast, Technology

Tripti Vashisth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) associate professor, joined the March episode of the All In For Citrus podcast to discuss a new smartphone application growers will be able to use soon to measure tree health. Plant growth regulators like gibberellic acid, 2,4-D and brassinosteroids have demonstrated the ability to improve tree health and …

Seeking Wedgworth Leadership Class Nominations

Josh McGillEducation, Florida

The Wedgworth Leadership Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources (WLIANR) is soliciting nominations for Class XII of its two-year leadership development program. The program is sponsored by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). Nominations close June 1 and applications are due no later than June 15. Self-nominations are accepted. Class XII will begin in Gainesville …

CUPS Irrigation and Fertilization for Grapefruit

Josh McGillCUPS, Nutrition, Tip of the Week

By Rhuanito S. Ferrarezi and Mark A. Ritenour Citrus under protective screen (CUPS) is a modern production system that excludes the Asian citrus psyllid and, consequently, the devastating disease citrus greening (huanglongbing or HLB) from plants cultivated in screenhouses. A recent study investigated the effect of different irrigation management strategies on fruit yield and quality of grapefruit grown in CUPS. …

Sweet New Discoveries Open Up Opportunities for Citrus Industry

Josh McGillFlavor, Research

By Xixuan Tang, Yu Wang, Fred Gmitter and Jude Grosser Citrus fruits and juices are commonly consumed worldwide due to their health benefits and flavor. However, recent trends in reducing carbohydrate intake have raised concerns from consumers about citrus products because of their relatively high levels of sugar content. This concern discourages repeat purchasing and consumption of citrus fruits and …

new tree planting

Growers Learn About Citrus Roots

Josh McGillRoot health

Florida researcher Ute Albrecht shared information about citrus tree roots at the recent Georgia Citrus Association annual conference. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) associate professor specializing in plant physiology discussed rootstocks and soils, suggested transplanting tips and touched briefly on freeze tolerance. Albrecht works at the UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center in …

Florida Citrus Still an Economic Force

Josh McGillAll In For Citrus Podcast, Economics

While the Florida citrus industry has seen its fair share of challenges from HLB and recent hurricanes, the industry still swings a big stick according to research conducted by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). The study, The 2020-21 Economic Contributions of the Florida Citrus Industry, was released in February. Christa Court, UF/IFAS economist and …

Don’t Miss the Florida Grower Citrus Show

Josh McGillEvents, Indian River, Tip of the Week

By Ron Cave In 1946, leaders with the University of Florida and the Indian River Citrus League ascertained the need for an event where growers, the trade organization and researchers might network and attend educational sessions presented by scientists. So began the first-ever Indian River Citrus Seminar, which would later become the Florida Grower Citrus Show. In the 1960s, Florida’s …

Reduce Pests With Natural Enemies

Josh McGillPests, Research

By Jawwad Qureshi A wide range of pests colonize citrus crops. Most of these species target tree canopies, and a few feed on the roots. Damage is either direct through feeding on the plant tissues or it can be twofold if the pest is also responsible for transmitting the pathogens of a disease or making conditions favorable for the disease …

Pheromones Essential in Leafminer Management

Josh McGillCold Hardy, Pests

Citrus growers should emphasize leafminer management this year to preserve new flushes. This is especially important for those producers affected by the Christmas freeze event. The management strategy should include pheromone disruptions, which can help reduce pest populations. Xavier Martini, assistant professor of entomology at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) North Florida Research and …

New Offerings at Florida Grower Citrus Show

Josh McGillEvents

The 2023 Florida Grower Citrus Show, presented by AgNet Media, will be held April 13 in Fort Pierce. The show has a new venue this year — the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Indian River Research and Education Center (IRREC) and the adjacent U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory. …

Should Florida Growers Be Worried About Lime Swallowtail?

Josh McGillPests, Tip of the Week

By Lauren Diepenbrock Recently, several articles have highlighted a potential new threat to the citrus industry in Florida, the lime swallowtail. While it is true that this pest has been found in residential citrus plantings in Key West, it is unlikely that lime swallowtail will have much of an impact, if any, on Florida’s commercial citrus industry. Lime swallowtail is …