spray

Know When to Spray for Weeds

Daniel CooperTip of the Week, weeds

By Ramdas Kanissery Managing weeds in citrus groves isn’t just about what you spray; it’s about when you spray. The effectiveness of your weed control program largely depends on the growth stage of both the weeds and the citrus trees in your grove. Getting the timing right can make a big difference in how well your weed control program works …

forecast

Citrus Crop Forecast Shows Changes in All States

Daniel CooperCrop Forecast

The April 10 citrus crop forecast from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA/NASS) showed increases for most citrus-producing states. FLORIDA In Florida, grapefruit and tangerine/mandarin crops climbed 8% and 14%, respectively. The Florida grapefruit crop increased by 100,000 boxes, to 1.3 million boxes. The tangerine/mandarin crop rose by 50,000 boxes, to 400,000 boxes. Florida’s orange crop …

weed management

Optimizing Weed Management in Citrus

Daniel CooperAll In For Citrus Podcast, weeds

Weeds can be a menace in Florida citrus. The state is home to diverse weed species and is the perfect environment for weeds to grow. Ramdas Kanissery, a weed scientist at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, discusses weed management challenges in the March All In For Citrus podcast. …

replanting

Strong Interest in CRAFT Foundation Projects

Daniel CooperCRAFT

By Steven Hall The Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) Foundation received applications in Cycle Six for almost 10,000 acres of New Tree Planting (NTP) proposals and applications for nearly 47,000 acres for inclusion in Cycle Three of the Existing Tree Therapies (ETT) program. WAITLIST ESTABLISHED This demand exceeded the funding available for both programs. The selected applicants have received …

citrus trees

Options for Dooryard Citrus Trees

Daniel Coopernurseries, Varieties

Citrus trees used to be a common site around Florida homes, but diseases like canker and greening have diminished residents’ ability to enjoy these iconic trees. Despite the challenges, people from Florida and across the country contact citrus nurseries this time of year, seeking to purchase trees for their yards and/or homes. It’s a passion, say nursery owners and University …

legislative session

Florida Senate Proposes $200 Million for Citrus

Daniel CooperFlorida, Legislative

A Florida Senate committee on March 26 proposed $200 million for Florida’s citrus industry in 2025–26. The citrus funding is a priority of citrus grower and Senate President Ben Albritton, who declared, “Mark my words, Florida citrus is not going down on my watch.” The proposal came from the Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment and General Government. “To those …

soil health

Digging Into Methods to Boost Citrus Soil Health

Daniel CooperSoil Health

By Sarah Strauss, Emma Dawson, Gabriel Pugina, Ute Albrecht, Jonas Pereira de Souza Junior and Davie Kadyampakeni While soil health has always been considered critical for Florida citrus production, it has increased in importance with the endemic presence of citrus greening (HLB). Soil health is similar to the concepts of soil quality or soil fertility but with an additional focus …

Citrus Health Forum

Citrus Health Forum Brings Together Growers and Researchers

Daniel CooperCold Hardy, Events

By Maegan Beatty Earlier this month, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC) hosted the 2025 Citrus Health Forum. Growers gathered to learn about citrus production and hear regional citrus updates. Muhammad Shahid, UF/IFAS assistant professor, presented information on optimizing nitrogen fertilization to enhance the quality of satsuma mandarins. …

young trees

Recovering Unprotected HLB-Infected Young Trees

Daniel CooperIPCs, Tip of the Week

By Fernando Alferez and Saoussen Ben Abdallah Individual protective covers (IPCs) are now being increasingly adopted in Florida to protect newly planted citrus trees from psyllid colonization. The risk of new citrus plantings becoming infected with HLB is especially high, as young trees flush more frequently and attract more psyllids. However, the adoption of IPCs does not occur in all …

sting nematode

Integrated Pest Management Needed for Sting Nematode

Daniel CooperPests

By Maegan Beatty During the recent citrus insect management workshop at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Citrus Research and Education Center, Larry Duncan, a nematology professor, discussed the sting nematode. First recognized in the 1980s as a pest of young citrus trees, the sting nematode has adapted to coarse, sandy soils. The pest feeds at …

nurseries

CITRUS NURSERY SOURCE: Programs Benefit Nurseries

Daniel CooperCitrus Nursery Source

By Peter Chaires The 2024–25 citrus season is another challenging one for Florida’s valued citrus nurseries. Uncertainty has been the consummate challenge for nurseries trying to anticipate grower needs. One large nursery grower recently interviewed believes that door-yard propagations are now nearing commercial propagations. Who would have ever thought we would see this happen? However, after a dismal 2022–23 propagation …

emergency program

Emergency Program Expanded in California for HLB/ACP

Daniel CooperCalifornia Corner, HLB Management, Regulation

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) recently announced the expansion in Orange County of an emergency program for HLB and the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) that spreads the disease. The expansion follows confirmation throughout January of the causative bacterial agent of HLB in plant tissue and/or ACP in Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Garden Grove, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Orange, Santa …

varieties

Record Mandarin Production Expected in Australia

Daniel CooperCrop Forecast, International, Mandarins

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS) has forecast record Australian tangerine and mandarin production for 2024–25. The country is poised to produce 225,000 metric tons (MT), a 7% increase from the prior year. ADDING ACREAGE The mandarin planted area in Australia has grown rapidly over the last decade. During the period from 2014 to 2023, there has …

Florida citrus

Florida Citrus Acreage Continues to Contract

Daniel CooperAcreage, Florida

Florida citrus land fell from 748,555 acres in 2004 — the year before HLB was found in the state — to 274,705 acres in 2024, according to a recent summary of the 2023–24 citrus season. The summary, Florida Citrus Statistics 2023–2024, was published by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Division of Fruits and Vegetables. The statistics …

South Africa

Lemon Production in South Africa

Daniel CooperCrop Forecast, International, lemons

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS) expects lemon production in South Africa in 2024–25 to grow by 7% from the prior year to 780,000 metric tons (MT). PLANTED AREA USDA/FAS forecasts that the country’s land planted in lemons will remain unchanged at 18,000 hectares. Producers are holding back from planting any more lemons due to an oversupply …

Moroccan

Moroccan Tangerine/Mandarin Crop to Climb

Daniel CooperCrop Forecast, International

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS) recently forecast Morocco’s tangerine/mandarin production for 2024–25 at 1.1 million metric tons (MMT). That’s an increase of 16% from the prior season due to increased irrigation practices and a high level of new plantings coming into full production for the Nadorcott and Afourer varieties. The Moroccan area planted with tangerines/mandarins is …

survey

Survey Shows Popular Scions and Rootstocks

Daniel CooperRootstocks, Survey, Varieties

The Florida Citrus State of the Industry Survey seeks input from growers on key issues affecting their groves. The survey has been conducted for many years, has tracked the trajectory of HLB and reported on production practices. While not a scientific survey, it has reflected general trends over the years. Last month, we published results on trunk-injection therapy and the …

herbicide tolerance

Strategies for Managing Herbicide Tolerance

Daniel CooperTip of the Week, weeds

By Ramdas Kanissery Tackling herbicide tolerance in weeds is a critical aspect of effective weed control in citrus groves. It helps prevent both current and future weed management challenges. Herbicide tolerance occurs when certain weed species naturally survive and reproduce after herbicide treatment. Unlike herbicide resistance, where genetic changes allow weeds to survive and spread, herbicide tolerance doesn’t involve any …

grapefruit production

Grapefruit Production in South Africa

Daniel CooperCrop Forecast, Grapefruit, International

South African grapefruit production is expected to rise slightly in 2024–25. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) is forecasting a 1% increase from the prior year to 425,000 metric tons (MT). PLANTINGS Grapefruit acreage in South Africa has been shrinking since 2020–21, reflecting a downward trend in global consumption. The area planted in 2024–25 will likely …

export

Brazilian Orange Juice and Trade

Daniel CooperBrazil, Orange Juice, Trade

Orange juice processing and trade are among topics addressed in a recent U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA FAS) report on Brazilian citrus.  Approximately 80% of Brazilian orange production is used for juice processing, and 20% goes to the market as fresh fruit, USDA FAS reported. Orange juice production is concentrated in the state of São Paulo, followed by Minas Gerais. …