An article in the January Cold Hardy Citrus Connection newsletter offered basic nutrition management information for North Florida growers. It was written by Lisa Strange with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Taylor County Extension and Clay Olson, UF/IFAS Extension faculty, emeritus.
A grower’s first nutrient management consideration is to have a soil test, the authors stated. A soil test provides accurate information about what nutrients are present or lacking as well as the pH and salt levels. Test results provide guidelines and recommendations for what nutrients to apply. Keeping records of lab results will allow growers to see trends of changes that will help in tweaking applications if needed.
Their second suggested nutrient management consideration is to test the irrigation source annually. Issues in the water’s chemistry can be the root of problems such as systems plugging up from high calcium levels, salt intrusions and levels of pollutants.
The authors suggested that a grower’s third consideration is to enroll in the Best Management Practices (BMP) Program through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Agricultural BMPs are practical measures that producers can take to reduce the …..
Learn more about the Nutrition Basics for North Florida Citrus Growers on the Citrus Industry website.