About four years ago, Fernando Alferez started to test if citrus trees grown inside a protective mesh cover could be kept safe from the potential deadly Asian citrus psyllid.
New research from Alferez shows that citrus trees grown under individual protective covers (IPCs) show no signs of the greening disease. Specifically, scientists found that psyllids cannot penetrate the bags (IPCs) under which the trees are growing because the diameter of their openings is smaller than the insects.
The University of Florida will resume providing growers regular flower bud advisories as the critical time for citrus grove management begins this winter. UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences associate professor Tripti Vashisth restarted the advisories December 2 and will continue providing them every other week through the spring.
UF/IFAS Extension Polk County Stuart Conference Center 1710 US Hwy 17 S Bartow, Florida
Host: Chris Oswalt, UF/IFAS Citrus Extension Agent
Presenters: Tripti Vashisth and Amit Levy, UF/IFAS CREC
Join UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center scientists and tour a citrus nutrition trial and a gibberelic acid (GA) field trial.
Dr. Vashisth's field presentation will be discussing the results of a citrus nutrition field trial that was designed to provide an effective mitigation of HLB-infected citrus trees. The results of the trial indicate that HLB can be managed to some degree in the field using mineral nutrition. The results will include recommendations on how to use this information in existing groves.
Dr. Levy will be discussing and demonstrating methodologies using canopy density values to evaluate the efficacy of nutritional treatments used to manage HLB. This type of in-field technology can help growers determine quantitatively the results of HLB management programs. This evaluation methodology can be used for practices related to nutrition, pest, and disease management.
At the GA trial, Dr. Tripti Vashisth will make a field presentation of the use of timely gibberellin acids (GA) sprays to manage citrus flowering and citrus tree stress. The information provided will demonstrate the mitigating effects of GA on HLB-infected citrus trees. The information will provide growers with current recommendations and use rate information on this use of GA to enhance citrus tree yield.
Lunch will be provided. There is no cost but pre-registration is required.
Join hundreds of your fellow citrus growers and industry friends from across the state in learning the latest production tips from top industry experts and UF/IFAS researchers.
A look as supply chain disruptions’ impact on Florida citrus
We are again making our usual Fresh Citrus Fruit Training program available via Internet. Companies can pick and choose what they specifically need from the following narrated modules:
Food Safety
Personal Hygiene
CDC-Issued Guidance for COVID-19 in Agricultural Workplaces
Worker Protection Standard (WPS) – Field Crews and Harvesters
Chemical Hazards – Packinghouse Personnel
Citrus Fruit Disease Identification (esp. Citrus Canker & Citrus Black Spot)
Ladder Safety
Tractor Safety
Upon successful completion, each participant will receive a Certificate of Attendance.
The cost is only $3 per person total for as many modules as they wish to take, or a maximum of $100 per company.
Certificates and training kits (hand sanitizer, mask, educational materials, and more) will be sent via FedEx.
Oranges, orange-like fruit, new grapefruit hybrids, tangerine types, and acid fruit.
Attendees will be channeled through the room in a singular direction, where they will be given an opportunity to sample fruit, peel fruit (when applicable), and score the general characteristics and traits of the displayed selections. Juice may be provided.
The Plant Improvement Team will be present for discussion and questions. Attendees are requested to refrain from socializing until they have completed the display. This typically takes around 45 minutes.
December 14, 2021: CREC Ben Hill Griffin Auditorium, Lake Alfred
10:00 AM
January 2022 Zoom Citrus Seminar
Date & Time: Wednesday, January 12, 2022, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Title: Scouting and Management of Citrus Diseases (HLB, Phytophthora, Leprosis)
Speaker: Dr. Ozgur Batuman, Assistant Professor, UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, Immokalee
Coordinator: Dr. Mongi Zekri, Multi-County Citrus Extension Agent, UF-IFAS
1 CEU for pesticide license renewal, 1 CEU for certified crop advisors
Register in advance for this meeting: https://ufl.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMpcOisqTorHNw9BSz9IEsJLq8kQikBzKWx
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
For Northern Citrus Growers
There will be a citrus session featuring UF/IFAS researchers at the South Eastern Fruit & Vegetable Conference this year on January 7, 2022. the conference is being held in Savannah, Georgia.
Earn CEU Credits NOW online through Southeast AgNet & Citrus Industry Magazine http://citrusindustry.net/ceu/
The following series of articles and quizzes are available with their expiration dates noted:
2020 #4: Protecting People From Pesticide Exposure (10/31/22)
2021 #3: Before You Spray (7/31/22)
2021 #2: When a Pesticide Doesn’t Work (4/30/22)
2021 #1: The Goals of Pest Management (1/31/22)
Each article grants one General Standards (Core) CEU when submitted and approved toward the renewal of a Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services restricted-use pesticide license.
FYI, there are also CORE CEU available at Growing Produce
http://www.growingproduce.com/crop-protection/ceu-series/
