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 …
Soil Moisture Sensors Improve Irrigation
By Davie Kadyampakeni, Sandra M. Guzmán and Ajia Paolillo Using soil moisture sensors for irrigation scheduling can reduce water stress in citrus trees. Sensors that are easy to calibrate and maintain, specifically designed for managing irrigation and fertigation on Florida’s sandy soils, are the preferred choice. These tools enable growers to use their water resources wisely and efficiently. There are …
Maximizing the Use of Soil Moisture Sensors
By Davie Kadyampakeni, Ajia Paolillo and Sandra Guzmán Citrus trees require water to be able to carry out the natural processes of growth, making food, and developing fruit and juice. To get the water from the soil, the fibrous roots do the extraneous work of absorbing the water and carrying it via the transpiration stream (or the water highway) to …
Advice for Using Soil Moisture Sensors
Proper irrigation management is key to optimize water use and increase crop yield. Water is a limiting factor in Florida citrus production during most of the year due to extremely sandy soils with low water-holding capacity and non-uniform distribution of rainfall. Soil moisture sensor systems may provide the most reliable data for effective citrus irrigation scheduling under these conditions. Rad …
Soil Moisture Sensors Help in Face of HLB
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researcher Rhuanito (Johnny) Ferrarezi discussed the use of soil moisture sensors at a recent grower workshop in Sebring. He summarizes that presentation, which included a discussion of how the sensors can help in the face of HLB. “The main goal of using soil moisture sensors is to increase irrigation efficiency,” Ferrarezi …
Using Soil Moisture Sensors for Citrus Irrigation
By Arnold Schumann, Laura Waldo, Davie Kadyampakeni, Rhuanito Ferrarezi and Chris Oswalt Florida citrus trees may require irrigation throughout the year due to the extremely sandy soils with low water-holding capacities, and the warm subtropical climate with distinct drought periods in spring. A soil water sensor system can provide the most reliable data for effective citrus irrigation scheduling in these …
Irrigation and Nutrient Management for Improved Tree Productivity
By Davie Kadyampakeni, Alisheikh Atta, Jonas Pereira de Souza Junior, Christopher Vincent and Tripti Vashisth Typically, citrus water requirements are low in the winter and spring due to cooler temperatures but peak in summer and early fall due to rising temperatures. Thus, improved irrigation management is critical in these times of the year for improved production. Because most citrus trees …
Sneak Peek: November 2025 Citrus Industry
Coming soon in the November issue of Specialty Crop Grower magazine are several articles geared to citrus growers. The Citrus Industry section of the magazine addresses a range of topics, including irrigation and nutrient management, CRISPR breeding efforts, momentum and research projects for the Florida 2025–26 citrus season and more. One of the best ways to keep HLB-infected trees productive …
Optimize Citrus Water Management
By Edwin Gutierrez-Rodriguez and Bosques Jonael Efficient water use in citrus production, like other fruit tree crops, goes far beyond simply turning on the irrigation system. It’s a strategic practice that affects tree health, fruit quality and long-term sustainability, making it a smart agricultural practice. Some key tips to optimize your water management are: Remember, water is also a signal, …
Factors That Influence Juice Quality
By Tripti Vashisth, Johann Hiller and Taylor Livingston Poor fruit quality has long been a significant hurdle for sweet orange growers in the HLB era. With high fruit drop rates and challenges in harvest management, many growers find themselves picking fruit earlier than ideal, resulting in subpar Brix levels. To effectively improve the Brix of the fruit, it is essential …
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 …
The Five Rs of Citrus Sustainability
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 …
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 …
Temperature Inversion: Not a Friend of Pesticide Applicators
By Wael Elwakil 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. Temperature inversion is a weather phenomenon that alters the natural air movement in the lower layer of the atmosphere (troposphere). …
Cost-Share Funds for Water Projects
The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) is accepting applications for its Facilitating Agricultural Resource Management Systems (FARMS) cost-share program. The program expedites water resource development and alternative water supply projects on agricultural properties by providing funding assistance to implement production-scale best management practices (BMPs). To qualify for funding, projects must be located in the SWFWMD and include one or …
Indian River Open House Includes Varieties Display
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Indian River Research and Education Center (UF/IFAS IRREC) will hold an open house Saturday, Dec. 7 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Numerous activities are planned for the facility at 2199 S. Rock Road in Fort Pierce. UF/IFAS IRREC and its next-door neighbor, the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service …
Sustaining Citrus Production in the HLB Era
The virtues of daily irrigation and increased micronutrient applications were among key points researcher Davie Kadyampakeni made in an Aug. 13 discussion of citrus production in the HLB era. Kadyampakeni is a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) associate professor of soil, water and ecosystem sciences at the Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred. …
Visit the UF/IFAS Citrus Extension Booth at the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo
By Jamie D. Burrow and Michaela Ivy Since the spring, planning has been underway for the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus Extension team booth to be on display at the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo. The event is Aug. 21–22 at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. The booth will be in the same …
Standing Up Against Hurricanes
By Ute Albrecht, Bo Meyering, Carol Tardivo, Gabriel Pugina and Kim D. Bowman The approaching hurricane season poses the question of why strong winds cause some citrus trees to topple over while others remain firm in the ground. Grove location, grove topography and soil type are factors that influence a tree’s ability to withstand tropical-force winds. The tree’s root structure …
Dealing With Drought Stress
By Amir Rezazadeh Citrus trees are not immune to the challenges posed by drought stress. Drought stress occurs when a tree’s water supply falls below its demand, leading to physiological disruptions that can impair growth, development and fruit production. In the dry season, when water scarcity is a prevalent issue in Florida, understanding and managing drought stress in citrus trees …





























