Below you'll see everything we could locate for your search of “UF/IFAS”
An entomologist with 10 years of research focused on the state’s iconic citrus industry has joined the faculty of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences’ Indian River Research and Education Center (UF/IFAS IRREC). Named Entomologist of the Year in 2012 by the Florida Entomological Society, Jawwad A. Qureshi was selected for a new position as assistant …
Gary England has been named director of the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Hastings Agricultural Extension Center (HAEC). The center is a resource for residents and agricultural producers in northeast Florida, a region known for both potatoes and surging urban development. “We are extremely pleased to have Gary England serve in this new leadership role …
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers have found a new way to detect immature citrus 83 percent of the time, which lets growers know where to apply fertilizer and water and perhaps save on labor costs for the $10.9 billion-a-year Florida industry. By detecting green, immature citrus more accurately and efficiently, …
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researcher who uses steam to help treat citrus trees infected by greening will receive this year’s Citrus Engineer of the Year Award. Reza Ehsani, a UF/IFAS associate professor of agricultural and biological engineering, will receive the award June 21 at the 59th Biennial Citrus Engineering Symposium at …
Plant pathologist joins UF/IFAS to help solve citrus industry issues By: Robin Koestoyo FORT PIERCE, Fla. – A plant pathologist with 12 years of experience in plant-microbe interactions has joined the faculty of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences’ Indian River Research and Education Center (IRREC) to help citrus growers. Following an international search for a …
There’s been a great deal of effort over the past 15 years or so to develop or identify citrus varieties and rootstocks that have greater tolerance to HLB. That work has resulted in a lot of options to sort through when making selections for planting resets or new blocks. There have been more than 50 cultivars released in recent years. …
By Lauren Diepenbrock Red imported fire ants (Solenopsis Invicta), commonly referred to as fire ants, are commonplace throughout Florida. The pest infests a broad range of habitats, including urban sites, natural areas and production fields. In citrus, a range of impacts from this pest are seen. From a human health perspective, fire ant stings can cause symptoms from mild irritation …
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) weed scientist Ramdas Kanissery recently shared information about management of horseweed, a common Florida citrus broadleaf weed. Kanissery is an associate professor at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center. Following are highlights from his article in the August 2026 UF/IFAS Citrus Magazine. Horseweed is found in citrus tree rows, …
A recent University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) article addressed the use of plant defense inducers (PDIs) as sustainable alternatives to oxytetracycline (OTC) injection for HLB management. Researchers Lauren Fessler Mathews, Ana Redondo and Ozgur Batuman at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center (SWFREC) authored the article. Slightly edited excerpts of the article follow: PDIs …
Fruit fly quarantines impacting commercial citrus have been removed in Texas by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) in cooperation with the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA). SAPOTE FRUIT FLY APHIS and TDA removed the sapote fruit fly (Anastrepha serpentina) quarantines in Cameron and Hildalgo counties. The quarantines included the Harlingen and Rio Hondo …
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) recently published “Brix Basics: Where Plant Sugars Come From and Why They Matter.” Edwin Gutierrez Rodriguez, UF/IFAS citrus Extension agent for DeSoto, Hardee and Manatee counties, authored the article. Edited excerpts follow: Degrees Brix is the measurement of the total dissolved solids in a liquid, based on how much …
By Fernando Alferez and Muhammad A. Shahid Citrus trees bloom profusely. It is estimated that a healthy adult tree can produce more than 200,000 flowers every year. This number is much higher than that of fruits the tree can maintain and develop. Normally only between 1% to 5% of flowers set fruit that develops, matures and can ultimately be harvested. …
By Michael E. Rogers Florida citrus growers continue to adapt to new challenges, regulations and technologies while maintaining the resilience that has defined the industry for generations. Supporting that effort, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) research and Extension programs remain focused on delivering practical, science-based solutions that help growers maintain productive and profitable operations. For …
By Jamie D. Burrow and Tripti Vashisth Florida citrus production continues to change, and staying up to date is vital. The Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo seminars are an opportunity for growers to hear the latest updates from University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus researchers. A mix of panel discussions and presentations is scheduled to …
The Citrus Industry section of the August issue of Specialty Crop Grower magazine features practical production advice, a new variety resource, citrus marketing insights and more. The section opens with a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) article explaining crop load management and alternate bearing in citrus. Fernando Alferez and Muhammad A. Shahid discuss why citrus …
In Florida, the soilborne phytophthora pathogens — primarily Phytophthora nicotianae and Phytophthora palmivora — are the leading causes of root rot, crown rot and foot rot. Two University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers recently wrote about phytophthora management in cold-hardy citrus. The authors are Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist Muhammad Shahid and postdoc Carlos Aucique-Perez, …
Soil microbiologist Sarah Strauss kicked off a Biochar and Compost Workshop at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center in mid-July. Strauss, a UF/IFAS associate professor, focused on the importance of soil health for citrus. She began with a U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service definition of soil health. …
By Flavia Tabay Zambon and Paulo Eduardo Branco Paiva Florida’s citrus industry has faced severe decline due to huanglongbing (HLB, also known as citrus greening). Production has dropped 92% since the 2003–04 season, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service. Growers have relied on cultural practices, tolerant varieties and antimicrobial treatments, especially oxytetracycline (OTC), which has recently …
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) hosted a bamboo field day in July at Phillip Rucks Citrus Nursery in Frostproof. Scientists at the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) have initiated several projects to evaluate bamboo varieties and production practices. Phillip Rucks has planted numerous bamboo varieties for evaluation and sells bamboo plants to …
Freezing temperatures remain one of the biggest threats to citrus production, especially in Florida and other regions where sudden cold snaps can severely damage trees. New research suggests that seaweed-based biostimulants may help citrus trees better withstand freezing conditions. The study was published in Scientific Reports. It was led by Ahmed Abdullah, Shahid Iqbal, Alaiha Asif, KeAndre Leaks and Muhammad …
