University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus researchers are collaborating on ground-breaking research projects to fight against HLB. They are working with researchers at the University of California-Riverside (UC-Riverside), Texas A&M and Washington State University on a project to field-test new citrus cultivars for tolerance or resistance to HLB. The research is funded by the U.S. …
Conservation Program Improvements
The application deadline for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is March 26 for fiscal year 2021. Through CSP, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) helps agricultural producers and forest landowners earn payments for expanding conservation activities while maintaining agricultural production on their land. CSP also encourages adoption of new technologies and management techniques. Changes …
UF/IFAS Citrus Position; Upcoming Grower Meetings
Michael Rogers with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) discussed plans to hire a new citrus horticulturist, as well as grower meetings set for March. Rogers is director of the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) in Lake Alfred. The horticulturist to be hired will work with UF/IFAS plant breeders on the field development …
SWFREC Recognizes Growers During Farm-City Week
Nov. 18-25 is National Farm-City Week, a time to recognize and honor the contributions of the country’s agriculturalists and to strengthen the bond between urban and rural citizens. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Southwest Florida Research and Education Center (SWFREC) took the opportunity to recognize the agriculturists in its area. Some of its statements …
Harnessing the Power of Soil Microbes
Although often ignored due to their intangible nature, microorganisms play significant roles in agriculture. The natural microbial processes allow for long-lasting interactions between nutrients, plants and soils. Masanori Fujimoto, assistant professor at the University of Florida, is leading a research and education project titled “Harnessing Microbes for Sustainable Food Production.” The project is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s …
Sneak Peek: October 2020 Citrus Industry
Get the dirt on soil in the October 2020 issue of Citrus Industry magazine! Soil is not the most glamorous subject, but it’s one that seems to be getting more attention in the citrus industry lately. As citrus growers work to keep trees productive in the HLB era, they are implementing practices to improve soil health. Providing roots with a …
PIECES OF THE PAST: How to Manage a New Grove — in 1928
By Brenda Eubanks Burnette I was looking for inspiration for this month’s column and was trying to tie it in with this issue’s focus, which is grove management. Lo and behold, I came across a 44-page booklet I had tucked away called the “Book of Truth for Planters of New Groves” by Ocklawaha Nurseries, Inc. of Lake Jem, Florida. The …
Row-Middle Weed Management Methods
By Ramdas Kanissery, Miurel Brewer, Davie Kadyampakeni and Sarah Strauss Florida growers face problems with weeds throughout the year due to favorable weather conditions that allow rapid proliferation and lush growth of weeds in groves. While a weed-free tree row is desired to minimize competition with citrus, it is also essential to manage the weeds or vegetation in the row …
Sneak Peek: September 2020 Citrus Industry
In just two days, more than 1,100 Citrus Expo participants viewed 28 educational videos. If you didn’t get a chance to visit the virtual Citrus, Vegetable & Specialty Crop Expo on Aug. 19–20, you can find highlights from the event in the September issue of Citrus Industry magazine. The educational videos will remain on the Citrus Expo website through the …
Sneak Peek: August 2020 Citrus Industry
The August issue of Citrus Industry is traditionally the Citrus Expo issue. While the Citrus Expo tradition continues this year, it will be in a new format. Due to coronavirus, the event will be virtual. Growers will still have the opportunity to see seminars and network with vendors. In the August issue, you’ll find the citrus, vegetable, specialty crop and …
Alternatives to Glyphosate in Groves
There are good reasons glyphosate is the most popular herbicide in U.S. citrus groves, but there are also concerns about its use, says Ramdas Kanissery. Because of the concerns, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences weed scientist suggests alternatives that growers can consider. Kanissery discusses glyphosate and its alternatives in a presentation originally intended for the …
Citrus Expo: New Format for Educational Sessions
While coronavirus will prevent the citrus industry from gathering this year at Citrus Expo, it will not stop growers from getting the education they need. The 2020 Citrus Expo educational program will be held live online Aug. 19–20 and will include door prizes. If you’re lucky, you could walk away with one of four $200 Bass Pro gift cards! The …
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 …
Soil Organic Matter Helps Fight HLB
By Sean Stokes, Thomas Borch and Pankaj Trivedi The benefits of soil organic matter (SOM) in agriculture have been well documented and include both improved water and nutrient retention. SOM is also essential for a properly functioning rhizosphere microbiome. However, the natural level of SOM in the sandy, acidic soil of Florida’s citrus grove regions is often around 1 percent, …
Weed Management: Use Multiple Methods
Citrus growers have multiple options in their weed management toolbox to tackle such problems as parthenium, ragweed, sweet clover and amaranth. Ramdas Kanissery, weed scientist and assistant professor at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, believes the right tool or combination of tools can improve yields and help protect trees. …
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 …
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 …
Soil Health Focus for HLB
A citrus soil health field day recently attracted about 40 people to the Howey-in-the-Hills area to see growers’ success using cover crops and compost on Florida groves once stunted by HLB. Event organizer Juanita Popenoe, commercial fruit production Extension agent for Lake, Marion and Orange counties, comments on the groves’ success. Popenoe is with the University of Florida Institute of …




























