Muhammad Adnan Shahid in January joined the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences’ (UF/IFAS) North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC) as assistant professor of horticulture/fruit crops specialist. His Extension goal is providing fruit producers, particularly cold-hardy citrus growers, with relevant, research-based information for improving productivity, profitability and produce quality. Shahid is interested in evaluating new early …
Greasy Green Research Approved
Due to the initiative of the Indian River Citrus League (IRCL), the Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) has approved research funding for the greasy green defect on citrus fruit. At a 2021 IRCL board meeting, the issue of greasy green spot was brought up by Tim Sallin of IMG Citrus. Other growers at that meeting also shared their experience …
All In For Citrus Podcast, April 2022
Florida citrus growers need help in the fight against HLB. And they need that help quickly. Michael Rogers, director of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center, addresses those concerns during the April All In For Citrus podcast. He says UF/IFAS scientists understand the urgency of the HLB fight and that …
Integration of Nutrition and Crop Protection Products
By Davie Kadyampakeni and Evan Johnson In the era of citrus greening disease (huanglongbing, HLB), maintaining optimal nutrition and disease/pest management strategies is critical for avoiding adverse effects on tree performance. Use of the right fertilization rate, timing and placement are important for optimal citrus production. In a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) research study, …
HLB Research Focused on Near-Term Solutions
The urgency is high to find any solution to help citrus growers more effectively mitigate HLB. During the Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute this month, Citrus Research and Education Center director Michael Rogers gave a presentation that outlined the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) research projects aimed at finding short-term HLB solutions. “We understand where the …
Webinar to Address PGRs and Fruit Drop
Florida citrus growers can learn more about the use of plant growth regulators (PGRs) in the fight against fruit drop at an upcoming online seminar. The webinar will be at 10 a.m., April 27 and will be presented by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). Speakers at the webinar, titled “Gibberellic Acid Research Update and …
Consequences of Skyrocketing Fertilizer Prices
By Ariel Singerman and Stephen H. Futch Chemical input prices have increased significantly over the last year. In particular, the price of fertilizer has roughly doubled during the last 12 months, as denoted by Figure 1. Figure 1. Producer Price Index of Nitrogenous Fertilizer Manufacturing Source: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Supply and demand factors help explain such an …
Managing Weeds in Row Middles
By Ramdas Kanissery It is essential to maintain a patch of weeds or vegetation in the row middles to hold the soil from eroding and, at the same time, without being a source for weed invasion into the tree rows (Figure 1). Below are some quick tips for managing the vegetation in row-middle spaces between the citrus tree rows: MOW …
Biostimulants and Cold-Hardy Citrus
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is asking fruit growers in North Florida, Alabama and Georgia to take a survey about crop biostimulants. UF/IFAS will use the results to better help those growers with the use of biostimulants and direct future research and Extension education programs. Those participating in the anonymous survey are asked to …
Assessing the Safety of a Water Distribution System
By Taylor O’Bannon, Matt Krug and Michelle Danyluk The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently proposed changes to the pre-harvest Agricultural Water (Subpart E) section of the Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule (PSR). Removing the annual water distribution system inspection is not one of the proposed changes. Rather, water testing for generic E. coli and developing a microbial …
Phosphorus Recommendations and Soil pH Amendments
By Kelly T. Morgan and Davie Kadyampakeni Most information provided in the 2020 3rd edition of Nutrition of Florida Citrus Trees is still sound for healthy citrus trees under Florida production conditions. Past information on nutrients, application methods, leaf and soil sampling, and irrigation scheduling are also effective for management of huanglongbing (HLB)-affected trees. However, research conducted since HLB was …
Working With Citrus Growers to Select New Varieties
John Chater joined the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) in January as an assistant professor of horticultural sciences. His mission is to act as a conduit between citrus plant breeders and growers to find fits for new rootstock and scion selections. Chater’s love of plants was inspired by his grandfather who was a plant breeder …
Dealing With Diaprepes Root Weevils
By Ajia Paolillo Managing diaprepes root weevils in the grove is essential for root health and overall tree health. The most concerning root weevil for citrus growers is Diaprepes abbreviatus. Diaprepes larval feeding causes significant injury and damage to citrus root systems. LIFE CYCLE AND FEEDING Let’s begin with the life cycle stages of the diaprepes root weevils. Adults emerge …
Gibberellic Acid Not Recommended in Spring for HLB Trees
By Tripti Vashisth Recent research has shown benefits of gibberellic acid (GA) application (monthly from September to January) in improving yield and canopy density of HLB-affected trees. These findings have caught the attention of Florida citrus growers. Many have indicated that they are applying GA in their groves as per the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences …
Indian River Citrus Trial Provides HLB Insights
Early results from a large-scale citrus trial looking for solutions to HLB, also called citrus greening, show tree size does not seem to affect citrus susceptibility to the disease. The trial is being conducted in the Indian River region by researchers with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). They are testing which citrus rootstock and …
Disaster Assistance Addressed at Florida Ag Conference
How the government provides support to growers after disasters remains a challenge. Disaster assistance was one of the topics discussed at the recent Florida Agricultural Policy Outlook Conference held at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Mid-Florida Research and Education Center in Apopka. Agencies like the U.S. Department of Agriculture are struggling with the best …
Tip of the Hat to University of Florida Citrus Graduate Students
During the March All In For Citrus podcast, Michael Rogers, director of the Citrus Research and Education Center, gave props to graduate students in the citrus program at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). There are 65 students currently enrolled in the program carrying out their studies across the state. “Graduate students play a huge …
Fight Fire Ants to Protect Groves, Trees and Workers
At Central Life Sciences, we recognize our role in educating citrus growers on the importance of protecting their citrus investment from fire ants. Our solutions provide growers with effective and economical products. For citrus growers looking to protect and grow their investment, it is important to not overlook the threat of fire ants. Fire ants are a common insect threat …
In-Person Growers’ Institute Is Next Week
After being presented virtually for the past two years as a result of COVID-19, the 2022 Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute will once again be an in-person event on April 5. The event will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at South Florida State College’s Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts in Avon Park. The institute is …
Citrus Commission Learns About HLB-Tolerant Trees, Other Research
At the Florida Citrus Commission meeting earlier this month, a federal scientist outlined an eight-step action plan for research and development of heirloom orange trees that appear to be tolerant to HLB. Brian Scully, director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Horticultural Research Laboratory, discussed the Donaldson and Tobias trees at USDA’s Whitmore Foundation Farm. A third tree is …