Consequences of Skyrocketing Fertilizer Prices

Josh McGillEconomics, Nutrition

By Ariel Singerman and Stephen H. Futch Chemical input prices have increased significantly over the last year. In particular, the price of fertilizer has roughly doubled during the last 12 months, as denoted by Figure 1. Figure 1. Producer Price Index of Nitrogenous Fertilizer Manufacturing Source: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Supply and demand factors help explain such an …

Nutritional Lessons Learned From the Field and in the Wild

Josh McGillNutrition

By Brad Turner In the 1970s, the majority of my family’s groves in Hillsborough, Polk and Hardee counties remained on a 25-foot by 25-foot setting or wider. Most of these “old school” blocks received several light cultivations in both directions, two fertilizations and two foliar sprays per season. These groves contained some of the most grand and bountiful trees in …

Sneak Peek: April 2022 Citrus Industry

Josh McGillCitrus, HLB Management, Sneak Peek

Increased attention on nutrition has become part of the overall strategy for managing HLB. The April issue of Citrus Industry magazine includes several articles on nutrient management designed to help growers keep trees productive in the HLB era. Mandarin growers will want to take note of new University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) research on how …

Scott Water Farm to Store Water and Improve Its Quality

Josh McGillFlorida, Water

The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) held a ribbon-cutting ceremony with state and local officials last month to celebrate the Scott Water Farm. The farm is a public-private partnership with Evans Properties, Inc. in Indian River and Okeechobee counties. Its purpose is to store water and improve water quality. The farm will store more than 9 billion gallons of …

citrus

Improving Color Break and Brix in CUPS

Josh McGillCUPS, Production, Research

Arnold Schumann recently reported on what he called “the most successful and practical intervention for improving color break and quality in CUPS fresh fruit.” CUPS stands for citrus under protective screen, a growing technique that Schumann, a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researcher, helped pioneer in Florida. He reported on his work at a Feb. …

Florida Citrus Nutrition Recommendations to Be Updated

Josh McGillFlorida, Nutrition

The Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference held in Savannah in early January included a session on citrus production to educate growers. Kelly Morgan, professor of soil fertility and water management with the University of Florida, spoke to attendees about newly updated production guides and their relationship to plant nutrition and HLB. Morgan noted that the third edition of the …

Florida Grower Citrus Show Agenda Set

Ernie NeffAll In For Citrus Podcast, Events

Researchers Mark Ritenour and Sandra Guzmán with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) outline the agenda for the Florida Grower Citrus Show on Jan. 26-27 in Fort Pierce. Ritenour and Guzmán, both of the UF/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center, will be presenters at the show. Ritenour will discuss maximum residue tolerances for fruit …

Pest Management: A New Approach to an Age-Old Challenge

Tacy CalliesPests

By Brad Turner From a family with deep Florida roots, I have over 40 years of experience in commercial citrus production. I learned the industry from the ground up by working in the family groves while studying citrus production at Florida Southern College. I have owned a citrus nursery, my own groves and a citrus caretaking business. I have also …

HLB Changed UF/IFAS Recommendations

Ernie NeffHLB Management

Kelly Morgan recently summarized several recommended changes in Florida citrus production practices brought on by the devastating disease HLB. Morgan is a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) soil and water science professor. He discussed what growers need to know to follow best management practices (BMPs) at the recent Citrus Nutrition Day at the UF/IFAS Citrus …

citrus crop forecast

Nutrition and Yield in the Face of HLB

Ernie NeffNutrition

Fertilization frequency, micronutrient management and rootstocks can all impact the yield of HLB-affected sweet oranges, Tripti Vashisth recently told a Citrus Nutrition Day audience in Lake Alfred, Florida. The educational event was held at the Citrus Research and Education Center, where Vashisth is a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) horticulturist. FERTILIZATION FREQUENCYHLB-affected trees should be …

An Improved Method of Nutrient Analysis

Tacy CalliesNutrition, Technology, Tip of the Week

By Yiannis Ampatzidis and Ute Albrecht Optimizing nutrition is important for tree health and productivity and can improve tolerance to stresses and diseases. Good nutrient management requires regular field monitoring to identify problems and examine crop responses. Leaves need to be collected and sent to a specialized laboratory for detailed information on macronutrients and micronutrients, which is time-consuming and costly. …

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Florida Citrus BMPs: Update and Suggestions

Ernie NeffBMPs

Work on finalizing a newly revised citrus best management practices (BMPs) manual has slowed, and that’s a good thing, according to Highlands County Citrus Growers Association (HCCGA) Executive Director Ray Royce. In a recent HCCGA newsletter article, he stated that a number of issues, especially related to nutrient management and application efficiency, need to be better understood. “It is the …

Irrigation and Nutrient Management BMPs

Ernie NeffBMPs, Irrigation, Nutrition

A Citrus Expo presentation about best management practices (BMPs) focused on what growers should be doing now in their irrigation and nutrient management programs. The presentation noted that current BMPs were developed prior to HLB’s discovery in Florida in 2005, and that studies are underway to revise the citrus BMPs for nitrogen and phosphorus. The presentation was created by University …

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What CRAFT Wants for Cycle III

Ernie NeffCRAFT

Five Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) Technical Working Group leaders on Aug. 31 discussed the types of projects they’d like to see CRAFT Cycle III growers pursue. The types of projects the leaders expressed interest in will, to some extent, fill gaps in knowledge expected to be gained from previous cycles. CRAFT pays Florida growers to plant trees on …

Technologies for Improved Nutrient Analysis

Tacy CalliesNutrition, Technology

By Yiannis Ampatzidis and Ute Albrecht Nutrient management is important for citrus production. Regular nutrient assessments should be conducted to optimize nutrient balance and prevent deficiencies or over-fertilization. Optimizing nutrition is important for tree health and can improve tolerance to stresses and diseases. Good nutrient management requires regular field monitoring to identify problems and examine crop responses. Leaves need to …

Optimizing Macronutrients and Micronutrients

Tacy CalliesNutrition, Tip of the Week

By Davie Kadyampakeni Nutrients are needed for optimal tree growth, fruit yield and juice quality. Any nutrient deficiencies could result in low yields and decreased revenue. It is important to make sure citrus trees always receive adequate nutrient supplies. Nutrients are categorized into two groups: macronutrients and micronutrients. MACRONUTRIENTSMacronutrients are those nutrients needed in large quantities to influence yield, growth …

Root Depth Isn’t What It Used To Be

Tacy CalliesRoot health

By Evan Johnson, Tanyaradzwa Chinyukwi, Lorenzo Rossi and Davie Kadyampakeni Huanglongbing’s (HLB) detrimental effect on roots has changed how we think about root health and horticultural management of citrus in Florida. As part of the work studying nutritional responses described in Effect of Nutrients on Canopy Response and Yield, we are studying the effects of macronutrient and micronutrient fertilization on …

Effect of Nutrients on Canopy Response and Yield

Tacy CalliesNutrition

By Davie Kadyampakeni, Tanyaradzwa Chinyukwi, Alan Wright and Rhuanito Ferrarezi The development of an efficient nutrition program for citrus trees provides the essential elements for optimum tree growth and yield. Tree performance is reduced when an essential element is deficient, while an excessive amount leads to plant toxicity and hinders overall tree performance. In citrus production, adequate fertilization rates help …

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Grower BMP Concerns

Ernie NeffBMPs

Highlands County Citrus Growers Association (HCCGA) Executive Director Ray Royce recently discussed grower concerns about Florida’s Best Management Practices (BMP) program. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) runs the program. According to Royce, growers are concerned about the BMP implementation, verification audits, some of the information they’ve been asked for by the FDACS staff and what may …

BMPs Give Growers Less Peace of Mind

Ernie NeffBMPs

Editor’s note: A correction has been made to this article. It previously stated that “UF/IFAS’ current highest recommendation for phosphorus on citrus is 16 pounds per 100 pounds of fruit per acre annually if soil tests and tissue samples indicate insufficient phosphorus content.” The information has been corrected to 16 pounds per 100 boxes. For years, participation in Florida’s Best …