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Below you'll see everything we could locate for your search of “UF/IFAS”
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 …
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. …
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, …
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 …
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 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, …
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 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 …
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 …
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; …
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 …
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 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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
By Peter Chaires It’s time to log some dates on the calendar. Citrus breeding teams have set dates for this year’s variety displays, field days and open houses. These events present excellent opportunities to learn about their priorities, methods and results. There are opportunities to sample the fruit of the latest promising selections, as well as tour test plantings and …
Researcher Manjul Dutt told a Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo audience in August why it can take up to 14 years to get a genetically modified citrus tree from discovery to commercial release. He also discussed the transgenic citrus progress at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), where he is an assistant professor at the …
With a global market valued at nearly $67 billion, bamboo may offer an alternative crop for Florida citrus growers whose groves have been devastated by HLB. “Bamboo is a good alternative crop to diversify beyond citrus,” said Michael Rogers, director of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC). “The …
