A bed system used in citrus groves is still under research at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC) in Quincy. But one researcher is already convinced that the system, which includes fabric mulch, is beneficial for growers. “This system is better for them. It’s already being used in …
Expo Delivers Research Updates and Practical Tools for Growers
By Michael E. Rogers The 2025 Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo took place Aug. 20–21 at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. The event brought growers, researchers and industry professionals together for two full days of education and discussion. This year’s program featured what may have been a record number of University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences …
Citrus Nutrition Day Explores Benefits of Silicon
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) hosted its annual Citrus Nutrition Day in January at the Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred. The event was well attended and covered various fertilizer and nutrition topics. Muhammad Adnan Shahid, UF/IFAS assistant professor of horticulture, presented his ongoing research on the use of silicon as a …
All In For Citrus Podcast, December 2024
There’s been much talk about the “tree of the future” in the Florida citrus industry. That’s a tree with the trifecta of HLB-resistance, great quality and strong yield. So far, that perfect combination has not been found. But the search is on. This was a topic of discussion during the December episode of the All In For Citrus podcast. Michael …
Factors to Consider When Planting a New Grove
Growers have numerous things to think about when planting a new grove. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus genetic improvement specialist John Chater discussed this topic during a recent Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo presentation. Following are highlights from his talk on establishing new varieties in a new citrus grove. PESTS AND DISEASES Soilborne pests …
CITRUS NURSERY SOURCE: Strong Support for Cold-Hardy Citrus Growers
By Peter Chaires The citrus research program at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC) includes several projects aimed at assisting growers in the cold-hardy citrus region. Let’s take a look at what researchers are working on. EVALUATING SCIONS AND ROOTSTOCKS Presently, the citrus industry in North Florida faces …
Georgia Growers Now Voting on Citrus Commission Funding
Through April 30, Georgia citrus producers are voting in a referendum to determine if they will fund the newly formed Georgia Citrus Commission. If growers pass the referendum, the state will begin collecting an assessment from citrus growers to carry out research, education and promotion projects coordinated by the commission. The commission consists of Georgia citrus growers. At the request …
Growing Citrus With Soil Health in Mind
Herb Young enjoyed a 40-year career in the agricultural chemical industry, starting as a technical service representative and eventually becoming a product manager. During those years, he worked on various specialty crops across the country. About 25 years of his career was spent in field research roles. So, experimentation with crops and growing practices comes naturally to Young. He has …
Site Selection Key When Planting Citrus
Before growers in the cold-hardy citrus region plant their first trees, they need to ensure the planting site is viable for production. Muhammad Shahid, assistant professor of horticulture at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, talked about the importance of site selection at the recent Citrus Health Forum held in Quincy, Florida. “You have to think …
Georgia Citrus Industry ‘Looking Forward’
The citrus industry has found footing in Georgia and needs continued support as this promising industry marches toward the future. Events like the Georgia Citrus Association annual meeting on Feb. 27 at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center provided information tailored to protecting growers’ investments. “One of the things we wanted to do differently this year is remind …
CITRUS NURSERY SOURCE: A Day of Learning About New Rootstocks and Varieties
By Peter Chaires The U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory and Florida Citrus Research Foundation (FCRF) jointly held an open house, variety display and field tour at the W.H. Whitmore Foundation Farm between Leesburg and Groveland in early December. This annual event provides a great opportunity for industry members to see the latest innovations in …
Factors Influencing Cold Hardiness of Citrus
Jake Price, University of Georgia county Extension coordinator, recently reported on the factors that influence cold hardiness of citrus. Excerpts follow: VARIETY The most obvious factor is the variety of citrus. In order of cold hardiness, the three main classes of citrus are mandarins, sweet oranges and grapefruit. Acid types of citrus such as lemons and limes are the least …
Changing Weather Patterns for Georgia Groves
Pam Knox told Georgia growers at an August citrus meeting that their groves experience warmer temperatures on average than they would have six decades ago. “Since about 1960, annual temperature (in Georgia) has risen about 2.5 degrees Fahrenheit,” she said. Knox is the University of Georgia (UGA) Weather Network director and agricultural climatologist. According to Knox, the growing season increases …
Update on the Cold-Hardy Citrus Region
By Danielle Sprague Williams In North Florida and South Georgia, there has been a significant growth in citrus production due to the relatively mild winters, advances in freeze protection and cold-hardy citrus varieties. In addition to this, there is a relatively low incidence of the citrus greening pathogen and its vector, the Asian citrus psyllid. Due to these factors, many …
Rootstock Influences Cold-Hardiness in Sugar Belles
Sugar Belles on four different rootstocks in Georgia showed different levels of damage from the December 2022 freeze, reported Jake Price, Lowndes County Extension coordinator for University of Georgia Extension. The Sugar Belles at a Valdosta research plot planted in 2018 have put on the first flush of foliage after being mostly defoliated. The trees are snuggly located between windbreaks …
Preparing for Freezing Temperatures
With temperatures plummeting over Christmas weekend, the latest episode of the All In For Citrus podcast is well timed. Chris Oswalt, a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus Extension agent covering Polk and Hillsborough counties, joined the podcast to discuss tips on preparing for freeze events. Oswalt encouraged growers to find a reliable source of …
Georgia Citrus Association Conference Coming Up
The Georgia Citrus Association invites growers and industry members to its annual conference on Feb. 28 at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center. The event will last from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and includes topics like regenerative farming, organic production, nutrient management, winter production and new varieties. “We’re super excited because we didn’t get to have the …
Getting Ready for Cold Weather
By Ray Royce As we are now in November, growers should start to think about the prospect of the potentially adverse conditions that winter can bring. Do not get caught off guard by delaying your winter preparations. There are a few measures that growers can undertake to better prepare for cold weather, and now is a good time to start …
Be Prepared for Winter Weather
By Chris Oswalt The weather folks are predicting weak to moderate La Niña conditions this winter. Typically, having either the La Niña or El Niño conditions during the winter in Florida is a good thing. There is a historically lower probability of having severe freezing temperatures during either of these El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) conditions in Florida. What this means …
Protecting Young Citrus Trees
Newly planted citrus trees and resets require more care and attention than established trees to ensure establishment and proper growth. Many growers use tree wraps to protect the trunks of young trees. These protective wraps offer a layer of protection to the bark underneath and can be used during the winter season or year-round. Jake Price, University of Georgia Extension …




























