(UF/IFAS) — Florida’s citrus growers may now access the updated Florida Citrus Rootstock Selection Guide, which is more user- and mobile-friendly. Revisions include current University of Florida rootstock horticultural traits, three new rootstocks that tolerate citrus greening and an updated bibliography. “The fourth edition of the Florida Citrus Rootstock Selection Guide has a new look and information for a comprehensive description …
Nutrition: What Growers Want to Know
A group of growers, production managers and researchers hopes to ensure future nutrition research funded by the Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) answers grower questions about nutrition. The dozen-plus members of CRDF’s Nutrition Working Group held their first meeting Oct. 30 at the Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred. The panel is about evenly split between grower …
Citrus Industry Magazine CEU 2019 Article #4
The fate of pesticides By Juanita Popenoe Editor’s note: This article grants one continuing education unit (CEU) in the Core category toward the renewal of a Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services restricted-use pesticide license when the accompanying test is submitted and approved. I have had several problems brought to me recently that were caused by pesticide residues in …
Improving Indian River Citrus Production
At Citrus Expo in August, Rhuanito “Johnny” Ferrarezi reported on research into planting densities, irrigation and fertilization that might allow growers to better produce oranges in the Indian River area. He is a researcher with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences at the Indian River Research and Education Center in Fort Pierce. The Indian River region …
UF/IFAS Adds Fourth Citrus Nutrition Workshop
Responding to strong grower interest, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) has added a fourth event to its roster of citrus nutrition workshops this fall. The event happens 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 8, at the UF/IFAS Extension Highlands County office in Sebring. For more information, visit citrusnutritionprogramsebring.eventbrite.com. Admission is free and …
Jackson to Join Florida Ag Hall of Fame
Long-time Extension agent John L. Jackson, who is well known in citrus circles, and two others will be inducted into the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame next year. Jackson, Hugh Fred Dietrich III and Robert “Robbie” Roberson will be inducted during ceremonies at the Florida State Fair’s Agricultural Hall of Fame Banquet on Feb. 11. Jackson’s professional career spanned more …
Newly Planted Trees and HLB
Newly planted trees need to have root systems that are as established, robust and healthy as possible before contracting HLB, Evan Johnson told growers at Citrus Expo. That’s because HLB takes out a tree’s fibrous root system and causes dieback of the structural root system. Having strong root systems from the start will increase the productive life of trees, the …
Pest Update: Lebbeck Mealybug
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) entomologist Lauren Diepenbrock provided an update on the lebbeck mealybug pest at a recent Highlands County citrus growers’ meeting. The mealybug, first found in Highlands groves in June, feeds on and damages citrus, leading to fruit drop and crop loss. Diepenbrock reports that surveys conducted by the Florida Department of …
New Grapefruit Rootstock, Scion Experiment
The world’s peerless grapefruit grows in the Indian River Citrus District. Balanced with sugar and tart, and a thin rind for easy peeling, the fruit is sold mostly for export to European and Asian markets, where it is a high-price delicacy. But the once-thriving industry is in decline, and a plant pathogen is present in all of the state’s grapefruit …
Observations on the 2019 Brazilian Citrus Industry
By Thomas Stopyra, Certified Crop Advisor Note: The following report is based on data gathered from a variety of sources and reflects the personal opinion of the author. It should not be used as a basis for buying, selling or speculating futures or any other business decisions regarding agricultural enterprises or commodities. The recent estimate published by Fundecitrus for the …
Citrus Grower Discusses Crop Conditions
Hardee County citrus grower Marlon Pendergrass with The Groves of Peace River discusses his orange crop, tree health and citrus prices. “We have a better crop this year than we had last year,” Pendergrass says. “Last year was much better than when (Hurricane) Irma came through” in September 2017. He says work is still being done to restore the grove …
Laurie Hurner: Citrus Is in Her Blood
Laurie Hurner grew up in a fifth-generation Florida citrus-growing family, and she and her sisters worked their farm in Highlands County. “My parents had three daughters,” said Hurner, the director of University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension Highlands County and the county’s citrus agent. “We were all well-rounded.” From their mom, the girls learned what …
CRAFT Application Period Opening Soon
The Citrus Research and Field Trial Foundation Inc. (CRAFT Foundation) board of directors, technical working group (TWG), staff and a legion of volunteers have been working at top speed throughout the summer finalizing the formation, organization and funding of the CRAFT program. The first priority for the CRAFT Foundation staff and board of directors has been securing all available funding …
Hurricane Preparedness for Citrus Groves
By Mongi Zekri, Robert E. Rouse, and Jonathan H. Crane Each year, growers look forward to the rainy season because it helps their young trees grow fast and their mature trees produce good crops. Growers hope for good distribution of rains following the usual dry spring season. However, along with the anticipation of the rainy season, there is also the …
Latest Citrus Production Guide to Be Unveiled at Citrus Expo
The latest technical advice on citrus greening disease, tree nutrition, grove management and other aspects of Florida citrus cultivation will reach growers Aug. 14–15, as the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) unveils the newest edition of its annual guide at the 2019 Citrus Expo. Known as the “Florida Citrus Production Guide 2019–2020,” the 275-page document …
Citrus Expo Seminar Program Preview
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) horticulturist Tripti Vashisth discusses the citrus seminars to be presented Aug. 14-15 at Citrus Expo. She also reports on a presentation she’ll make at Expo regarding fruit drop. Vashisth is organizing the Citrus Expo educational sessions for growers. She says the goal is to present “something useful for the growers …
Citrus Industry Magazine CEU 2019 Article #3
Protecting soil and water while using pesticides By Laurie A. Hurner Editor’s note: This article grants one continuing education unit (CEU) in the Core category toward the renewal of a Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services restricted-use pesticide license when the accompanying test is submitted and approved. Pesticides, pesticides, pesticides. It seems that the word pesticide has become quite …
CUPS Research in Indian River Area
Research into citrus under protective screen (CUPS) in the Indian River area was discussed by students of Rhuanito (Johnny) Ferrarezi at the Florida State Horticultural Society meeting in June. The project at the Indian River Research and Education Center (IRREC) grows grapefruit, the citrus of most economic importance in the Indian River region. Ferrarezi, a University of Florida Institute of …
All In For Citrus Podcast, July 2019
Researchers at the University of Florida’s Citrus Research and Education Center are gearing up for the 2019 Citrus Expo! Get a sneak peek of what to expect during the citrus program in July’s All In for Citrus Podcast. Also, growers will hear an update on a recent pest alert in this month’s program. Michael Rogers, director of the Citrus Research …
Controlling Difficult Weeds in Citrus Groves
By Ramdas Kanissery, Camille McAvoy and Mongi Zekri Some weeds are more difficult to manage in the production system than others due to their ability to grow in an available niche. If given a chance to establish, Guinea grass and goatweed can be the two most difficult weeds to manage. This is not just because they both are prolific seed …


























