Viroid Found on Georgia Citrus

Ernie NeffDiseases

Hop stunt viroid (HSVd) was found on citrus in Georgia for the first time this year. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension warns that HSVd and other viroids could pose a threat to the state’s growing citrus industry in susceptible varieties. Leaf samples were collected in May and June from 12 different citrus plants in two nurseries in southern Georgia. Nine …

Obtaining Optimal Peel Color of Fresh Florida Citrus

Tacy CalliesFresh

By Mark A. Ritenour and Fernando Alferez Color development in citrus during fruit maturation is a complex process that involves chemical and physiological changes. This includes chlorophyll (green pigments) breakdown and carotenoid (orange and yellow pigments) biosynthesis. The final color of each citrus variety mainly depends on the final composition of carotenoids, with citrus being among the richest fruit sources …

Peptide Could Restore Florida Citrus

Tacy CalliesHLB Management

CghSAMPa, the peptide found in the fruit of greening-tolerant Australian finger limes, is believed to be the first substance capable of controlling huanglongbing (HLB, also known as citrus greening). University of California, Riverside and Invaio Sciences, Inc. have partnered to advance the peptide research with hopes of bringing an HLB solution to commercialization by 2023. During a recent seminar hosted …

FDOC

Florida Citrus Acres Declining

Tacy CalliesIndustry News Release

Florida’s struggling citrus industry is using nearly 50 percent fewer acres than 20 years ago, according to an annual end-of-season report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service Florida Field Office calculated 419,542 citrus acres in Florida as the 2019–2020 growing season ended in July. The acreage figure was down 3 percent from the …

Citrus Production Guide Available

Ernie NeffProduction

The 2020-2021 Florida Citrus Production Guide is now available. See the online version of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences resource. Hard copies of the guide can be obtained at local UF/IFAS Extension county offices. Get the list of citrus Extension agents here. It is always best to email or call the agent ahead of time …

Citrus Researcher Earns National Award

Tacy CalliesAwards, Industry News Release

Researcher. Scholar. Change agent. Nian Wang, a professor at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), has been recognized for all of these roles with an award from the American Phytopathological Society (APS) at its 2020 annual meeting. Wang received the Ruth Allen award, which honors people who have made an outstanding, innovative research contribution that has …

Citrus Disease: What to Watch for in Georgia

Tacy CalliesDiseases

The citrus greening disease (huanglongbing or HLB) that has devastated Florida’s citrus industry over the past decade has not affected Georgia commercial production. However, growers should still be aware of the potential danger it can bring. According to Jonathan Oliver, fruit pathologist and Extension specialist in the Department of Plant Pathology at the University of Georgia (UGA), all confirmed HLB-positive …

The Future Faces of Florida Citrus

Tacy CalliesScholarship

Meet the four students who received the FMC Citrus Ag Production Scholarships. By Tacy Callies The FMC Citrus Ag Production Scholarships (CAPS) program, a partnership between AgNet Media and FMC, was created to support Florida citrus production and encourage interested youth to pursue careers in citrus. Two University of Florida students and two Florida Southern College students each were awarded …

climate

Kaolin Particle Films for Citrus Under HLB Pressure

Tacy CalliesHLB Management

Managing the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) that spreads citrus greening disease (HLB) has become a crucial task at the forefront of much research. One management option that has proven to reduce ACP populations while increasing tree growth and yield is particle film. During the 2020 virtual Florida Citrus Industry Annual Conference, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences …

APHIS Annual Report Highlights Citrus Efforts

Tacy CalliesDiseases, Pests

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) recently released an annual report titled “Plant Protection and Quarantine: Helping U.S. Agriculture Thrive — Across the Country and Around the World.” The document includes updates on efforts to manage citrus diseases. “PPQ (Plant Protection and Quarantine) stands shoulder-to-shoulder with citrus growers to combat citrus canker, huanglongbing (HLB …

positive

Certis USA Continues Citrus Research Support

Tacy CalliesCRDF, Industry News Release, Research

For the fourth consecutive year, Certis USA has donated $20,000 to the Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) to help fund the non-profit’s research aimed at finding a cure for huanglongbing (HLB; citrus greening). The company’s successful “Certis for Citrus” program utilizes sales from their top citrus products to annually support CRDF’s mission. The donation came during CRDF’s board meeting …

Citrus Professor Awarded by UF/IFAS Extension Peers

Tacy CalliesAwards, Industry News Release

Water is essential to citrus growers. They scrutinize the amount available, its quality and when and how they should use it to grow their trees and sustain their livelihood. Soil and water sciences assistant professor Davie Kadyampakeni works tirelessly with Florida citrus growers to ensure that they have access to the most current research in water use and soil nutrient …

zinc

June Citrus Forecast Sees Florida Oranges Fall

Tacy CalliesCrop Forecast

The U.S. Department of Agriculture released an update to the 2019–20 citrus crop forecast on June 11. ORANGESThe Florida all-orange forecast is 67.65 million boxes, down from May’s 69.65 million boxes. The forecast for Florida non-Valencia orange production remains at 29.65 million boxes. Florida Valencia oranges fell 5 percent to 38 million boxes. The California all-orange forecast is 48.5 million …

Technology Helps Growers Count Citrus Trees

Tacy CalliesTechnology

In his quest to find the right drone and other artificial intelligence to help ensure citrus growers get an accurate count of their crop, Yiannis Ampatzidis and his research team have developed a system known as Agroview. The technology saves farmers time and money and helps them accurately count their trees, which is important for insurance purposes. The latest results …

florida citrus

COVID-19 Hurts Texas Citrus

Ernie NeffCOVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic that reduced food-service sales nationwide took a toll on some Texas citrus growers this season. MARKET DISRUPTION“Schools and restaurants make up a significant percentage of sales for Texas citrus,” said Dale Murden, a grower and president of Texas Citrus Mutual. “Whether it’s fresh or juice, the loss of those markets definitely hurt.” At least in part because of the …

psyllids

Citrus Scientist Succeeds at Working From Home

Tacy CalliesIndustry News Release, Research

University of Florida scientist Christopher Vincent is used to working with the unknown to learn new grove management practices. As a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences plant physiologist, Vincent works to discover how citrus trees can thrive under stressful conditions. Now, during the coronavirus stay-at-home recommendations, he’s applying those skills in a whole new experience — …

Budget for Florida Includes Citrus Funding

Ernie NeffLegislative

Matt Joyner with Florida Citrus Mutual recently listed citrus industry priorities going into the Florida legislative session, and outcomes of those priorities in the $93.2 billion budget adopted by the state’s Legislature. Joyner, director of governmental affairs for the grower organization, noted that Gov. Ron DeSantis has not yet approved the budget. “His primary focus is directing Florida’s response to …

Senators Join in Opposition Against Citrus Imports From China

Daniel CooperExport/Import, Industry News Release

On April 28, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and U.S. Sen. Rick Scott sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue asking him to reverse a decision to let five varieties of citrus fruits be imported from China. The senators’ letter follows an April 24 letter from 17 U.S. representatives from Florida, who made the same request to Perdue. …

Vietnam

Florida Representatives Ask USDA to Reconsider Chinese Citrus Imports Decision

Tacy CalliesExport/Import

In a bipartisan effort, 17 U.S. representatives from Florida sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue asking him to reconsider the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) decision to allow importation of five types of Chinese fresh citrus to the United States. Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, along with leaders of citrus and other agricultural groups, have already …

Citrus Work Still Moving Forward at University of Florida

Daniel CooperIndustry News Release

While the scenery may have changed, the work remains the same for the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus faculty and Extension agents. “The coronavirus pandemic has altered the daily routine but not our mission to provide research and educational service to the citrus industry,” said Michael Rogers, director of the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and …