According to a news article released by the University of California Riverside (UCR), scientists there have found a substance which may be capable of controlling citrus greening disease. The disease, also known as huanglongbing (HLB), has devastated citrus in Florida and in other regions worldwide. It also threatens California crops. The article says the new treatment effectively kills the bacterium …
FFVA: Protect Ag Workers From COVID-19
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Labor have provided joint COVID-19 guidance for agriculture workers and employers. Topics in the guidance include: creating an assessment and control plan; screening and monitoring workers; managing sick workers; returning to work after exposure; engineering controls; cleaning, disinfection and sanitation; administrative controls, including training and social distancing; cloth …
How Growers Can Protect Pollinators
Florida’s U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA/NRCS) recently recognized pollinators and the growers who create and maintain their habitat. “Pollinators, such as honeybees, bumblebees, butterflies, birds, bats, flies and many others, play a critical role in crop production,” Florida’s USDA/NRCS stated in a media release. The recognition came as National Pollinator Week, June 22-28, approaches. The week …
Intercropping in Nigerian Citrus Production
By Bernard Okafor Citrus is a commonly cultivated tree crop in Nigeria. It is in high demand because of its nutritional, economic and industrial values. Citrus cultivation in Nigeria is mainly under rainfed conditions in rainforest/derived guinea savanna zones of the country with the Sahel and Sudan savanna being drier parts and not very favorable for citrus production except under …
UF/IFAS Remains Resilient Amid COVID-19 Challenges
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) hosted a virtual statewide discussion for stakeholders on June 8 to provide an update on its initiatives. The emphasis was on efforts and issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the webinar, Nick Place, UF/IFAS Extension dean and director, highlighted Extension’s efforts to address the COVID-19 challenges. “This has …
New Details on Coronavirus Assistance to Growers
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced new details on May 19 regarding the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). It will provide up to $16 billion in direct payments to deliver relief to America’s farmers and ranchers impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. CFAP provides vital financial assistance to producers of agricultural commodities who have suffered a five-percent-or-greater price decline due …
UF/IFAS Welcomes New Entomologist
In mid-April, Tolulope Morawo began a new position as an assistant professor of entomology at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Indian River Research and Education Center (IRREC) in Fort Pierce. He joins UF’s statewide effort to protect crops and natural environments with integrated pest management (IPM) strategy. In 2017, Morawo completed his doctorate degree …
Asian Giant Hornet Threatens Honey Bees
The Asian giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia), typically 1.5 to 2 inches long and a threat to honey bee colonies, has been found in Washington state. Amy Vu and Jamie Ellis with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory recently provided information about the pest. “This insect has recently been called …
Italian Grower Tackles Nematodes, Naturally
Italian citrus grower Giovanni Battista Spanò will combat the citrus nematode, Tylenchulus semipenetrans, with natural methods involving sowing and green manure of the radish cultivar Defender. The nematodes cause slow decline of citrus. “Nematodes and fungal diseases of the soil are a problem that can be easily solved without using harmful chemical products,” says Spanò. “We can just exploit the …
Payne on Past, Present and Future of Florida Citrus
Jack Payne, head of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), looks at the past, present and future of Florida citrus. He has been in the role of senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources since 2010 and is slated to retire on July 1. “Of course, citrus is the iconic industry in Florida,” which …
Yoho: Halt Imports From Mexico and Beyond
Florida Congressman Ted Yoho on April 28 asked President Donald Trump to temporarily halt imports of all Mexican, Central American and South American food products. He cited “unprecedented circumstances due to the coronavirus pandemic” in asking the President to invoke a force majeure motion to stop the importation. Force majeure is defined as an event that can’t be anticipated or …
Active Hurricane Season Predicted
An above-average Atlantic hurricane season was recently predicted by both Colorado State University (CSU) hurricane researchers and AccuWeather. The CSU researchers cited the likely absence of El Niño as a primary factor in its prediction. “Tropical and subtropical Atlantic sea surface temperatures are currently warmer than their long-term average values and are consequently also considered a factor favoring an active …
Crop Insurance Hurricane Endorsement Available
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) is now offering a new crop insurance endorsement, Hurricane Insurance Protection – Wind Index (HIP-WI). HIP-WI covers a portion of the deductible of the underlying crop insurance policy when a county, or adjacent county, is within the area of sustained hurricane-force winds. HIP-WI provides coverage for 70 different crops, including all …
HLB and Citrus Root Health
“We’re not going to have a silver bullet” for HLB, says Lorenzo Rossi, an assistant professor at the Indian River Research and Education Center. Instead, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) root biologist says that researchers are trying to keep citrus producing profitably. Rossi described some of his research efforts that focus on root health …
UF Citrus Entomologist Receives Recognition
(UF/IFAS) — One of the University of Florida’s (UF) most promising professors has been nationally recognized as an industry leader for her scholarship and service. Lauren Diepenbrock, an assistant professor of entomology working at the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center recently received the 2019 Southern Region Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Center Friends …
All In For Citrus Podcast, March 2020
The March episode of the All In For Citrus podcast covers how the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) is operating under COVID-19 restrictions and some of the research that continues. CREC Center Director Michael Rogers starts the episode with the impacts COVID-19 is having on the citrus research team …
Algal Spot: A Re-emerging Disease
By Megan M. Dewdney Algal spot has not been seen frequently for many years, but in the last few years I have been getting more questions about identification and management. The disease is caused by a green alga, Cephaleuros virescens. The alga is not considered a parasite, as it grows superficially, but it does cause damage to trees if left …
All In For Citrus Podcast, December 2019
The December All In For Citrus podcast has critical insights on citrus production, including contract issues, a view from Brazil, soil health research and the Winter Weather Watch program. Numerous Florida citrus growers have no contracts and no offers, or very low offers, for their juice oranges this season. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus …
Citrus Industry ‘Pretty Close to a Cliff’
(NSF) — State lawmakers and citrus growers expressed a need Tuesday to entice people to drink more orange juice and for citrus importers to help in the marketing of Florida’s struggling signature crop. After 15 years of fighting the impacts of hurricanes, citrus greening disease, a reduction in acres because of the state’s rapid growth and changes in drinking habits, …
Citrus Growers Can Call for Frost Protection Information
(UF/IFAS) — Just one freeze could cripple much of Florida’s citrus crop. It happened 30 years ago. Chris Oswalt, a multi-county commercial citrus agent for University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension, remembers the frost-bitten evenings. Christmas 1983, January 1985 and Christmas 1989 marked three of the worst citrus freezes in the state’s history. Even though …




























