One of the themes that emerged during the citrus seminars at the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo was that integration of multiple strategies is needed to keep HLB-infected trees productive. Davie Kadyampakeni’s talk detailed the five Rs of sustainable citrus production in the era of HLB. Kadyampakeni is an associate professor at the University of Florida Institute of Food and …
Installing and Using Soil Moisture Sensors
By Sandra M. Guzmán and Amir Rezazadeh During Florida’s rainy and hurricane season, accurate water management becomes even more critical for citrus growers. Soil moisture sensors (SMSs) can be used as a baseline tool for making informed irrigation decisions. But to get reliable readings, it is critical to choose, install and use them correctly. WHERE TO INSTALL Proper SMS placement …
Snail Update: Impacts and Abamectin
Snail impacts on Southeast citrus production can be devastating. A big part of the problem is not the damage to citrus trees but the harm the pest inflicts on irrigation systems. Lauren Diepenbrock, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences associate professor and entomologist, conveyed this message to cold-hardy producers during the Citrus Grower’s Summer Update meeting on …
Extensive Educational Opportunities at the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo
The Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo is fast approaching. During the July All In For Citrus podcast, Tripti Vashisth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) associate professor, discussed the extensive citrus seminar program scheduled for Aug. 20–21 at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. The citrus sessions will include more than 20 speakers over the course …
Planting and Terminating Summer Cover Crops
By Sarah Strauss One of the keys to good cover crop germination, and thus the potential benefits to soil health, is timing planting with summer rains. As cover crops are planted to improve soil health and are not harvested for profit, you want them to require as little effort on your part as possible. Relying on rain for irrigation can …
Water Use Under Individual Protective Covers
By Fernando Alferez and Osbaldo Vasquez During the last seven years, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Southwest Florida Research and Education Center (SWFREC) in Immokalee has been performing comprehensive studies on the use of individual protective covers (IPCs). This tool is now adopted by most growers planting new citrus trees in Florida both in …
Snail Poses Threat to Australian Citrus
The Bulimulus sporadicus snail that has caused serious issues in Florida citrus groves by blocking sprinkler jets and drip emitters has been detected in Australia. Staff working at an Approved Arrangement (AA) site at the Port of Brisbane recently reported a suspected detection of B. sporadicus, also known as B. bonariensis, ghost snail or peanut snail. Following the AA report, …
Argentine Ant Management Innovations
Native to South America, Argentine ants were introduced to California in 1905. Today, 90% of Southern California and coastal orchards are infested with ants. Some trees experience up to 1 million ant visits per day. Ivan Milosavljević, Citrus Research Board (CRB) entomologist, presented that information in a June 17 webinar that was part of CRB’s Grower Seminar Series. His presentation …
Boost Citrus Health and Yield With Silicon
By Muhammad A. Shahid and KeAndre Leaks Silicon (Si) is an emerging powerhouse in citrus production, offering wide-ranging benefits for plant health, fruit quality and stress resilience. While not traditionally considered essential, silicon was officially recognized as a “plant beneficial substance” in 2012 by the American Association of Plant Food Control Officials. Its inclusion as an approved input by the …
Trends Shaping Australia’s Orange Market
According to a new report from ResearchAndMarkets.com, Australia’s orange market size is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 2.2% between 2025 and 2034. The Australia Orange Market Forecast 2025–2034 report attributes this to the growing number of health-conscious consumers seeking nutrient-rich foods and beverages. The increasing shift toward natural and functional foods has boosted the demand …
Sneak Peek: July 2025 Citrus Industry
A July Specialty Crop Grower magazine article explores the potential of trunk injection for fresh market citrus. While trunk injection of oxytetracycline has become a common practice in Florida citrus grown for juice, growers of fresh market varieties have expressed interest in this HLB-management tool. Therefore, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers are studying trunk …
Florida Department of Citrus Presents Replanting Strategy
At the June Florida Citrus Commission meeting, Florida Department of Citrus Director of Economic and Market Research Marisa Zansler presented a strategic overview of the economic case for citrus replanting. Her presentation focused on how targeted investments in grove restoration, supported by aligned Florida-centric marketing and infrastructure protection, can stabilize the industry and position it for long-term viability at a …
Increased Rainfall Impacts Florida Citrus
Recent rainfall has been a welcome sight for Floridians, but it can be a concern for the state’s citrus growers who are producing next year’s crop. Chris Oswalt, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences citrus agent, cautions growers about citrus canker amid the increased moisture in the region. “With rainfall, you need to be concerned about those …
Innovation and Sustainability: Lessons From California for Georgia Citrus
By Lindy Savelle In mid-April, members of the Georgia Citrus Association (GCA) traveled to California’s Central Valley to study the systems, innovations and strategies that have made the state a powerhouse in citrus production. Our goal was clear: to bring back ideas, solutions and inspiration that can help shape the future of Georgia’s growing citrus industry. Our group included growers, …
The Harm Weeds Do
Before HLB, canker and diaprepes root weevils became major problems for Florida citrus growers, weeds were among the constant and major annoyances in groves. Even with the pests and diseases growers have faced over the past five decades, the need for weed control may be as important, and costly, as ever. A University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural …
Fire Ant Management
By Lauren Diepenbrock Red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta), commonly referred to as fire ants, are found throughout Florida. This pest infests a broad range of habitats, including urban regions, natural areas and production fields. In citrus, there are a range of impacts from this pest — from human health to both direct and indirect tree impacts. From a human …
Update on CRAFT Programs
The Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) Foundation recently provided an update about its programs: EXPEDITED PROPAGATION The supplemental Program for Expedited Propagation application period closed April 30. Contracts should be issued to the selected projects in May. EXISTING TREE THERAPY The CRAFT board of directors approved amendments to all Existing Tree Therapy (ETT) Round 1, 2 and 3 contracts …
Citrus Water Needs Critical Amid Dry Period
The current dry period in the Southeast can negatively impact the region’s citrus groves. Trees in the cold-hardy citrus region of North Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama need water, especially ahead of the next harvest season. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, discussed why water is so important this time of year. “Water …
Snail Management Can Be Complex
By Lauren Diepenbrock Snail management is becoming a more common discussion in Florida citrus with the arrival of a newer species in the Southeast. The snail of concern is Bulimulus bonariensis, previously referred to as Bulimulus sporadicus (Figure 1). Over the past three years, the first emergence of newly hatched snails was noted in late April through early May. The …
Developing Snail Management Programs in Florida Citrus
By Lauren Diepenbrock and Nicole Quinn In recent years, a new pest has been added to the ever-evolving scope of pest management in Florida citrus: Bulimulus bonariensis snails. These snails, also referred to as ghost snails or peanut snails, were reported to be clogging irrigation jets in Central Florida in 2020 in limited locations. Now, in 2025, they have spread …





























