By Peter Chaires The Florida citrus industry recently gained access to a newly approved HLB therapy for use on bearing citrus. In addition to new applications in the use of 2,4-D and gibberellic acid, growers now have a 24(c) special local needs label supporting direct application (injection) of oxytetracycline. It is no secret that industry recovery will require some combination …
CRDF Allocates Year-End Funds to HLB Research Projects
The Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) met for its December board meeting to discuss several topics before heading into the new year. One of the bigger areas of discussion was what to do with available uncommitted funds. “The board decided to fund work on several questions growers have regarding the use of bactericides inserted through systemic delivery devices and give the …
HLB Resistance Is Citrus Breeding Program’s Primary Focus
Citrus breeding is conducted at different research facilities across Florida. But the objective remains the same for University of the Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) breeders: Develop HLB-resistant citrus. That is the goal for Jose Chaparro, UF/IFAS associate professor in Gainesville. His research will impact citrus produced in the North Florida and South Georgia regions. “If you look at …
Update on New HLB Treatments
By Frank Giles The Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo, held Aug. 17-18, in North Fort Myers drew growers from across Florida and beyond. Citrus growers in attendance were eager for information on HLB treatments. Rick Dantzler, chief operating officer of the Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF), spoke during the general session educational seminars and provided an update on products …
Webinar Focuses on Citrus Trunk Injection to Treat HLB
The pros of injecting the antibiotic oxytetracycline (OTC) into citrus tree trunks to combat HLB appear to be numerous, including increased fruit yield, according to scientist Ute Albrecht. On the other hand, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researcher only discussed one con, but it was a big one. “Trunk injections cause injury, and long-term effects need to …
Representatives Ask for HLB Pesticide Approval
U.S. Representatives Kat Cammack and Al Lawson led members of the Florida congressional delegation to ask the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for expeditious approval of Vismax, a biochemical pesticide for HLB. A letter from the representatives asks the EPA to rapidly approve the use of Vismax in preventing HLB so the industry may access this product before the start of …
Florida Citrus Show Focused on HLB Fixes
Growers gathered in Fort Pierce last week for the Florida Citrus Show. More than 30 presentations and panel discussions were held during the two-day event. Topics covered included production, technology and markets. With the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) predicting the smallest citrus crop in more than 70 years, urgency to seek solutions to HLB was high on the agenda. …
How Citrus Tree Nutrition Has Changed During the HLB Era
This the second installment of four special Q&A features honoring Larry Black, the 2021 Florida Grower Citrus Achievement Award winner. He is VP and General Manager of Ft. Meade, FL-based Peace River Packing Co. How has your fertilizer and plant nutrition program changed since HLB come on the scene? BLACK: Maintaining optimum tree nutrition is critical with endemic HLB. Infected …
HLB Quarantines Established in Multiple Alabama Counties
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, in conjunction with the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI), is putting in place new quarantines for huanglongbing (HLB) or citrus greening disease. The quarantines are confined to areas in Baldwin and Mobile counties in Alabama. The action is necessary because HLB was detected in plant tissue samples …
Jackson Grapefruit Research a Unique Approach to Managing HLB
By Clint Thompson Jackson grapefruit research trials are under the microscope at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Education and Research Center in Lake Alfred, Florida. Scientists like Arnold Schumann are studying the HLB (Huanglongbing)-tolerant rootstock in hopes of providing growers an effective option to counter the ongoing issue of citrus greening. One unique …