HLB (citrus greening disease) was likely in Florida citrus groves years before being confirmed in 2005, University of Florida geneticist and plant breeder Fred Gmitter believes. He thinks the lack of widespread psyllid controls prior to confirmation of HLB allowed the disease to spread. Gmitter, who has recently spoken at numerous grower meetings about apparently successful efforts to control HLB …

Studies in Brazil and Florida have shown that the bactericide Firewall holds promise as a complement to copper for canker control in grapefruit groves. Registration is being sought for its use on Florida grapefruit. In this series of interviews with Southeast AgNet’s Ernie Neff, University of Florida researcher Jim Graham says the product would be especially helpful when applied before …

Just a few years ago, the Diaprepes root weevil was considered to be as bad a problem as growers could encounter in their groves. That was before HLB (greening disease) showed up in Florida and became growers’ biggest concern. However, Diaprepes remains a serious threat to groves it infests, especially in flatwoods soils. In this series of reports, Southeast AgNet’s …

Carey Soud, newly elected president of the Gulf Citrus Growers Association, in this report says sustaining productivity and profitability are the broad challenges facing the citrus industry. He says serious diseases threaten productivity, and that consolidation of the processing industry potentially threatens grower profitability. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida …