The benefits and challenges of growing citrus hydroponically are addressed by University of Florida researcher Arnold Schumann in this interview with Southeast AgNet’s Tacy Callies. Benefits include high, early fruit production. Nutrition is one of the challenges. Download Audio
Calcium Benefits Citrus
Bill Easterwood of Yara North America proclaims the numerous benefits of calcium for citrus. He says calcium is the third most important nutrient for citrus. In this interview with Southeast AgNet’s Tacy Callies, Easterwood describes several symptoms of calcium deficiency in citrus and says the nutrient has an influence on the initiation of plant protection mechanisms. Download Audio
Spring Will Bring Citrus Fungal Diseases
Springlike weather in Florida, likely just around the corner, will bring an array of citrus fungal diseases that growers will need to cope with. University of Florida researcher Megan Dewdney reports on some of the diseases that can be expected. Download Audio
Citrus Grower Practices and HLB – What Works?
The Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) over the next year will try to find a method of determining what individual citrus grower practices have been successful against HLB, CRDF Chief Operations Officer Harold Browning reports. Download Audio
Citrus Black Spot Control
University of Florida researcher Katherine Hendricks offered citrus black spot control suggestions to about 60 growers attending a fungal diseases seminar last week in Immokalee. She discussed cultural and chemical controls. The seminar was hosted by multi-county citrus Extension agent Mongi Zekri. Download Audio
Steps to Less Stressful Citrus Production
Eric Waldo of Yara North America recently discussed three steps citrus growers can take for less stressful citrus production, as well as keys to choosing nutrient products. Waldo shares his thoughts in an interview with Southeast AgNet’s Tacy Callies. Waldo’s presentation occurred at a Polk County OJ break hosted by citrus Extension agent Chris Oswalt. Download Audio
Rust Mites on Citrus: Damage and Control
University of Florida scientist Barry Kostyk discussed an age-old problem for citrus growers – rust mites – at a recent seminar at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center in Immokalee. He notes that rust mites are especially significant for fresh fruit growers, but can also cause problems for growers of processed fruit. Scouting and spray frequencies for rust mites …
Florida Citrus Growers to Visit California Counterparts
Florida citrus Extension agents Chris Oswalt and Steve Futch will accompany five Florida citrus growers to California next week to learn more about that state’s citrus industry. The group will visit World Ag Expo, a citrus nursery, a research center, a packinghouse and more. Oswalt tells more about the trip, including some topics likely to be discussed, with Southeast AgNet’s …
How Citrus Department Reduced Budget in Face of HLB
The Florida Department of Citrus has been forced to make numerous cuts in its budget during the years HLB has reduced Florida citrus crops. The most recent cut was made in January. The cuts have been required because the vast majority of the department’s programs are funded with an assessment on each box of citrus sold into commercial channels. Department …
HLB and Much More Addressed in February Citrus Industry
The February issue of Citrus Industry magazine covers a broad array of citrus topics, including: discussing genetic engineering with a concerned public; new planting options feature improved varieties; growers plant for the future; and how one grower is surviving citrus greening. Other article topics address planting strategies to reduce HLB-spreading psyllids; HLB tolerance and resistance: progress in rootstocks and scions; …