PGRs

PGRs Can Produce Remarkable Results

Daniel CooperAll In For Citrus Podcast, PGRs

Tripti Vashisth, associate professor of horticultural sciences with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), has been studying the use of plant growth regulators (PGRs) to improve citrus tree health and fruit retention for several years now. Her work has culminated into a systems approach of when to use a particular PGR at a certain time …

artificial intelligence

CITRUS NURSERY SOURCE: How Artificial Intelligence Applications Could Enhance Nurseries

Daniel CooperCitrus Nursery Source, Technology

By Peter Chairs The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences’ (UF/IFAS) commitment to the use and development of artificial intelligence (AI) in production agriculture is fueling conversations throughout the citrus industry. For most of us, AI was not even on our radar a few years ago. Today, commercial and nursery growers are excited about the development of …

Citrus Growers’ Institute

Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute Put Researchers Under One Roof

Daniel CooperEvents, Research

The 2025 Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute had a different setup compared to previous years. Scientists from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) convened at South Florida State College in Avon Park on April 8 to share research that will help shape the future of the Florida citrus industry. Chris Oswalt, UF/IFAS citrus Extension agent who …

May

Sneak Peek: May 2025 Citrus Industry

Daniel CooperEvents, Pests, Sneak Peek

The May issue of Specialty Crop Grower magazine is where to find the latest Citrus Industry articles. If your grove is in Florida, there’s a good chance ghost snails have haunted your trees and irrigation equipment. An article from University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) assistant professors Lauren Diepenbrock and Nicole Quinn offers some advice on …

citrus seminars

Citrus Seminars Provide Research Updates

Daniel CooperEducation, Florida Citrus Show

Researchers from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) delivered several presentations to a standing-room-only audience during the citrus seminars at the Florida Citrus Show in March. VARIETIES AND ROOTSTOCKS The citrus session began with a breeder panel discussing research on varieties and rootstocks. Participants were Manjul Dutt and Jude …

nitrogen

Nitrogen Reduction Needed in Cold-Hardy Citrus Region

Daniel CooperCold 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 …

diaprepes root weevil

Improving Diaprepes Root Weevil Management

Daniel CooperPests

By Maegan Beatty During a recent citrus insect management workshop at the Citrus Research and Education Center, Larry Duncan, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences professor, addressed diaprepes root weevil management. This Caribbean pest was introduced to Florida in the 1960s. The adult pests feed and lay eggs in citrus tree canopies. The larvae feed on roots …

young

Irrigation Comparison for Young HLB Trees

Daniel CooperIrrigation, Tip of the Week

By Davie Kadyampakeni, Kondwani Kamsikiri and Alisheikh Atta Water scarcity is one of the major constraints in Florida citrus production systems, primarily due to erratic rainfall patterns and the low water- and nutrient-holding capacity of the predominantly sandy soils. The state’s soils contain more than 95% sand and have low organic matter (<1%) and very low water-holding capacity. These challenges …

April

All In for Citrus Podcast, April 2025

Daniel CooperAll In For Citrus Podcast, PGRs, Soil Health

April is a busy month for citrus events. The Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute was held in Avon Park early in the month followed by a citrus field day at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Southwest Florida Research and Education Center (SFWREC) in Immokalee. These events are the topic of the April episode of the …

HLB-tolerant varieties

HLB-Tolerant Varieties Available

Daniel CooperHLB Management, Varieties

Florida Foundation Seed Producers, Inc. (FFSP) has signed a licensing agreement with New Varieties Development and Management Corp. (NVDMC) to introduce new citrus varieties showing tolerance to HLB. The HLB-tolerant varieties covered by the agreement are: The collaboration also includes the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and the Florida Department of Citrus. It aims to …

brassinosteroids

Brassinosteroids Improve HLB-Affected Tree Health and Fruit Quality

Daniel CooperPGRs

By Fernando Alferez, Divya Aryal and Saoussen Ben Abdallah In the last few years, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus horticulture team at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center (SWFREC) in Immokalee has performed several research trials in commercial farms and at the experimental farm at the SWFREC to elucidate the effect of …

citrus field day

Citrus Field Day Highlights Research

Daniel CooperEvents, Research

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Southwest Florida Research and Education Center in Immokalee hosted a citrus field day on April 10. The event showcased the research being conducted at the center. One of the tour stops featured individual protective cover (IPC) research led by Fernando Alferez, UF/IFAS associate professor of citrus horticulture. Thanks in …

Growers’ Institute

Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute Included Interactive Element

Daniel CooperEvents

Growers gathered in Avon Park for the annual Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute at South Florida Community College in early April. Scientists from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) presented updates on their work and the latest efforts to help in the fight against HLB. New this year, the scientists also hosted learning stations to further …

IPCs

IPCs: To Tie or Not to Tie?

Daniel CooperIPCs, Tip of the Week

By Fernando Alferez and Osbaldo Vasquez As individual protective covers (IPCs) are being adopted as a standard management practice to protect newly planted citrus trees from psyllid infestation, it has become apparent that one of the main effects of this tool is improved tree growth. Trees under IPCs grow larger with thicker canopies. This is probably the result of healthier …

weed management

Optimizing Weed Management in Citrus

Daniel CooperAll In For Citrus Podcast, weeds

Weeds can be a menace in Florida citrus. The state is home to diverse weed species and is the perfect environment for weeds to grow. Ramdas Kanissery, a weed scientist at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, discusses weed management challenges in the March All In For Citrus podcast. …

consumer

Consumer Perceptions of Citrus Biotechnology Are Critical

Daniel CooperTechnology

Scientists see genetic editing — and in particular CRISPR technology — as a potential way to rescue Florida citrus from HLB disease, but consumer perceptions of the technology are key. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences’ (UF/IFAS) Bachir Kassas is working to assess consumer acceptance of biotechnology. Kassas is an assistant professor in the UF/IFAS Department …

citrus trees

Options for Dooryard Citrus Trees

Daniel Coopernurseries, Varieties

Citrus trees used to be a common site around Florida homes, but diseases like canker and greening have diminished residents’ ability to enjoy these iconic trees. Despite the challenges, people from Florida and across the country contact citrus nurseries this time of year, seeking to purchase trees for their yards and/or homes. It’s a passion, say nursery owners and University …

proven

Combine Proven Horticultural Practices to Combat HLB

Daniel CooperIrrigation, Nutrition, PGRs, Tip of the Week

By Tripti Vashisth and Prudhvi Vulchi To mitigate the effects of huanglongbing (HLB) on tree health and productivity, growers are encouraged to adopt proven horticultural practices. Based on recent field trials at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC), one effective approach combines frequent irrigation (FI), plant growth regulators (PGRs) …

april

Sneak Peek: April 2025 Citrus Industry

Daniel CooperSneak Peek

The Florida Citrus Show brought together growers and industry for a fun day of camaraderie and education. The event took place March 13 at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Indian River Research and Education Center and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory in Fort Pierce. The April issue …

healthy fruit

Separating HLB-Affected and Healthy Fruit

Daniel CooperResearch

Scientists with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service (USDA/ARS) recently wrote about efforts to identify HLB-affected versus healthy citrus fruit. UF/IFAS scientists are Mark Ritenour, Ketan Shende and Thomas Burks. Michelle Heck is with the USDA/ARS. A slightly edited version of their article follows: Most citrus …