Below you'll see everything we could locate for your search of “UF/IFAS”
By Jamie D. Burrow, Taylor Livingston and Tripti Vashisth Before huanglongbing (HLB), citrus grew well in Florida because of the climate and sandy soil. Trees had strong structural roots and a wealth of feeder roots. Since the continued tree decline caused by HLB, root systems have become smaller and weaker. By improving the physio-chemical properties of the sandy soil, it …
The June All In For Citrus podcast features Tripti Vashisth, associate center director and professor of horticultural sciences at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center. She discusses the benefits of combining plant growth regulators (PGRs) with trunk injection of oxytetracycline (OTC). For most Florida citrus growers, application of OTC has …
Compost-amended plots (left) had more weeds than those with no compost. A new study published in Scientific Reports examines whether repeated compost applications could improve the health and productivity of young citrus trees growing under endemic huanglongbing (HLB) conditions in Florida. Gabriel Pugina, Caroline Tardivo, Brittney Monus, Emma Dawson, Sarah Strauss and Ute Albrecht of the University of Florida Institute …
The citrus research team at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) generates a lot of information from the trials and experiments they conduct each year. That information can be a valuable resource to growers who are seeking production guidance for their groves. In the June episode of the All In For Citrus podcast, Michael Rogers, …
By Ute Albrecht, Larissa Nunes and Igor Silva Trunk injection of oxytetracycline (OTC) requires drilling a hole into the trunk and injecting a foreign substance into the tree. Not only does the physical damage from drilling cause injury, but the application of chemicals can exacerbate both the external and internal damage. BARK CRACKING Externally, aside from the drill hole, bark …
By Peter Chaires Spring is planning season for most Florida citrus organizations. New Varieties Development & Management Corp. (NVDMC) is no exception. The board recently met with all breeding teams to review 2025–26 sponsored projects and establish research priorities for 2026–27. Though some aspects of these projects will be covered in greater depth in future articles, this month’s column is …
By Jamie Burrow and Tripti Vashisth If you haven’t had a chance yet, take a few minutes to explore the new 2026 University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Variety Guide. You’ll find it beginning on page 21 of the April 2026 issue of the UF/IFAS Citrus Magazine. WHAT IT INCLUDES This guide is designed to …
By Ute Albrecht, Gabriel Pugina and Larissa Nunes According to a recent industry survey, 64% of Florida citrus growers have injected their trees for three consecutive years with oxytetracycline (OTC). This article reports the results from three research trials conducted by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Plant Physiology Team at the Southwest Florida Research …
Southeastern residents increasingly support stronger protections against agricultural disease threats as concerns grow over food-system disruptions, say researchers at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). Findings from an August 2025 public interest survey distributed to 1,035 Southeast residents reflect growing public concern about how agricultural threats can affect food systems, public health and disaster preparedness. …
By Tripti Vashisth, Taylor Livingston, Meryam Manzoor and Johann Hiller Citrus fruit quality and yield remain major concerns for sweet orange growers in the huanglongbing (HLB) era. These outcomes largely depend on the tree’s ability to support developing fruit throughout the growing season. Leaf area and canopy density are positively correlated with carbohydrate production and allocation to fruit, directly influencing …
By J. Scott Angle, jangle@ufl.edu, @IFAS_VP Steven Hall is the right guy to run a single state-supported citrus research organization. He is an agriculturalist as well as an administrator and attorney. He is a sixth-generation Florida farmer who leads his family farming operation in Jackson County. Since Hall was appointed executive director of the Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) …
The Citrus Industry section of the June 2026 issue of Specialty Crop Grower focuses on leadership and research. On the cover of the magazine is Ned Hancock, winner of the 2026 Citrus Achievement Award. He is being recognized for his decades-long leadership and dedication to serving Florida’s citrus industry. Don’t miss the accompanying video in the digital issue of the …
Florida’s soils present unique challenges for growers. The soils vary widely from nutrient-poor sandy to highly organic soils, depending on location. These conditions make it difficult to sustainably manage agriculture in a way that supports food production, environmental health and a strong economy. To address these challenges, University of Florida (UF) researchers are leading a four-year study supported by a $749,999 …
By Lauren Fessler Mathews, Ana Redondo and Ozgur Batuman Citrus canker continues to impact Florida citrus, increasing premature fruit drop and decreasing yield and fruit quality. While copper sprays have long been relied upon to control this disease, concerns about environmental impact and possible resistance development have led to efforts to find sustainable alternatives. Previous studies have shown that plant …
After significant drought in many parts of Florida, some much-needed rainfall began in May as the rainy season approaches. That seasonal transition, from a grove management perspective, is the focus of the May episode of the All In For Citrus podcast. Michael Rogers, director of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education …
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced an investment of more than $90 million under Section 7721 of the Plant Protection Act to support 441 projects that will: Of the 441 projects, 421 fall under the Plant Pest and Disease Management and Disaster Prevention Program and 20 support the National Clean Plant Network. USDA will reserve approximately $17.2 million to support rapid …
By Jawwad A. Qureshi Citrus under protective screen (CUPS) is a novel system for large-scale citrus production in screen houses covered with a tightly woven mesh screen on all four sides and the roof. The primary goal of this shift from a traditional open orchard to a CUPS system is to protect citrus crops from huanglongbing (HLB) disease, which is …
Research and field trials have been fairly consistent in showing that trunk injection of oxytetracycline (OTC) will reduce the HLB-causing bacteria in citrus trees, resulting in improved yield and quality. But what happens to the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) when it feeds on treated trees? The answer to that question is becoming clearer now from research conducted by the University …
Researcher Ute Albrecht on April 21 shared lessons learned from three years of oxytetracycline (OTC) trunk injection for HLB management in Florida. Albrecht is an associate professor with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) specializing in citrus plant physiology. She works at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center. Albrecht reported on results of a …
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers have found three commercially available insect species that devour the eggs of the HLB-spreading Asian citrus psyllid. These natural predators could become an important new line of defense against the devastating citrus disease. This is particularly true for organic growers who have limited options to control the psyllid, said …
