A bed system used in citrus groves is still under research at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC) in Quincy. But one researcher is already convinced that the system, which includes fabric mulch, is beneficial for growers. “This system is better for them. It’s already being used in …
Let’s Chat About CUPS
Citrus under protective screen (CUPS) continues to spread across the Florida landscape. The practice is allowing growers to produce high-yielding and high-quality fruit. Roughly 1,500 acres are now planted under screen in Florida. MEET CUPSchat Arnold Schumann, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) professor of soil, water and ecosystems sciences, pioneered CUPS research in Florida. His …
All In For Citrus Podcast, October 2025
The October All In For Citrus podcast features citrus under protective screen (CUPS). Over the past decade, the practice has grown in popularity due to its ability to exclude the Asian citrus psyllid and huanglongbing (HLB) disease. Roughly 1,500 acres of citrus are grown under screen in Florida with more acreage under development. Lauren Diepenbrock, associate professor of entomology at …
Pruning Young Citrus Trees
Pruning is an important management tactic that cold-hardy citrus growers need to implement, especially during the early stages of tree development. Fernando Alferez, a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus horticulturist, discussed pruning during the Cold-Hardy Citrus Field Day and Workshop in Quincy on Oct. 1. “Pruning is important because it will give the tree …
Prolong Tree Health by Combining Covers and Brassinosteroids
As every Florida citrus grower knows, it has been difficult to grow trees and fruit profitably since huanglongbing (HLB) disease was discovered in the state in 2005. Soon after the disease was discovered, officials determined it couldn’t be eradicated largely because the Asian citrus psyllids (ACP) that spread it showed up years earlier and were in virtually all citrus-producing regions. …
Optimize Citrus Water Management
By Edwin Gutierrez-Rodriguez and Bosques Jonael Efficient water use in citrus production, like other fruit tree crops, goes far beyond simply turning on the irrigation system. It’s a strategic practice that affects tree health, fruit quality and long-term sustainability, making it a smart agricultural practice. Some key tips to optimize your water management are: Remember, water is also a signal, …
SAR Sprays Protect Against Psyllids, HLB and Canker
Recent research has shown that systemic acquired resistance (SAR) sprays can protect young citrus tree flushes from Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) feeding, HLB and citrus canker. ACP is the vector that spreads HLB disease from tree to tree. Researchers with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and Bayer Crop Science report that SAR sprays can …
Photoperiod and Citrus Cold Tolerance
Nazneen Qureshi, a University of Florida (UF) graduate research assistant, is investigating how photoperiod — the amount of light a plant receives each day — can help citrus fruit tolerate cold weather. Qureshi’s research is done alongside UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Assistant Professor Muhummad Shahid. The research looks at whether the amount of light a plant …
Freeze Tolerance Is Key to Diversification
Freeze tolerance is a focal point of citrus studies conducted at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) North Florida Research and Education Center in Quincy. As citrus production continues to grow in the cold-hardy citrus region, growers need varieties that are able to withstand prolonged periods of sub-freezing temperatures. Leading that research is Muhammad Shahid, …
Silicon Benefits Citrus
A University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researcher recently highlighted a number of benefits from using silicon as a nutrient for citrus. Muhammad Shahid, assistant professor at the North Florida Research and Education Center, presented silicon research findings at the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo in August. According to Shahid, silicon is categorized as a plant …
Blood Oranges Could Be Profitable Option for Cold-Hardy Citrus Producers
Blood oranges may be an enticing fruit to grow for cold-hardy citrus producers in North Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama. Muhammad Shahid, assistant professor of horticulture at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), highlighted his blood orange research during the Cold-Hardy Citrus Field Day and Workshop at the North Florida Research and Education Center …
What’s Working in Griffin’s Grove
Not far from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) in Lake Alfred, Jason Griffin owns and operates a commercial citrus grove. While commercial in nature, the grove also has become a working experiment for the CREC citrus breeders. Griffin has worked closely with UF/IFAS citrus breeder Jude Grosser to …
HLB Management Requires an Integrated Approach
At the recent Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo, Ozgur Batuman reminded seminar attendees there is no silver bullet for HLB management. Instead, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researcher proposes that growers integrate several tools for the management of HLB. These tools include a variety of ways to control HLB-spreading psyllids; oxytetracycline (OTC) trunk injection; …
Sneak Peek: October 2025 Citrus Industry
Breeding efforts to develop citrus trees resistant to HLB are well underway. But how long does the process take before trees are available to growers? Manjul Dutt, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) assistant professor, addresses this question and more in the Citrus Industry section of the October issue of Specialty Crop Grower magazine. His article …
Influence of Rootstock and OTC Injection on Valencia Yield
By Kim D. Bowman, Ute Albrecht and Caroline Tardivo Profitability of citrus in Florida has been severely reduced by the impact of huanglongbing disease (HLB). Previous studies have demonstrated that rootstock selection and injection of established trees with oxytetracycline hydrochloride (OTC) can both significantly improve the health, cropping and fruit quality of trees affected by HLB. However, neither a superior …
The Relationship Between Snails and Weeds Needs Research
The preference of Bulimulus bonariensis snails to feed on weeds in citrus groves does not necessarily imply that increased weed management will lead to a reduction in pest populations. This relationship requires further research by Lauren Diepenbrock, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) assistant professor and entomologist. “It’s something I think we really need to look …
All In For Citrus Podcast, September 2025
Varieties and rootstocks are the topics of the September episode of the All In For Citrus podcast. Earlier this month, a field day was held in Jason Griffin’s grove near Lake Alfred, Florida. He is collaborating with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) to evaluate several rootstock/scion combinations developed by UF/IFAS citrus breeders. Griffin has …
Cantrell Contributes to Knowledge on HLB-Tolerant Rootstocks
Ryan Cantrell spent the summer of 2025 as a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) intern contributing to knowledge about the devastating citrus disease HLB. The undergraduate student worked under the supervision of Assistant Professor Liliana Cano and Biological Scientist Edinson Diaz in the plant pathology laboratory at the Indian River Research and Education Center. Cantrell …
Greasy Green and Its Management
A citrus disorder called greasy green has plagued Florida grapefruit producers for several years, causing a significant reduction in profits. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Associate Professor and Extension Specialist Megan Dewdney discussed the disorder and its management at the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo in August. Dewdney works at the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and …
Pre-Harvest Clues for Better Citrus
By Flavia Zambon and Mac Hossain The Millennium Block is located at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Indian River Research and Education Center (IRREC). It is designed to support long-term citrus trials under real-world growing conditions, including HLB pressure, but without oxytetracycline injections. Currently, the block has 19 distinct grapefruit and pummelo scions in …



























