The All In For Citrus Podcast

All In For Citrus, Episode 19 March 2020

The March episode of the All In For Citrus podcast covers how the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) is operating under COVID-19 restrictions and some of the research that continues.

CREC Center Director Michael Rogers starts the episode with the impacts COVID-19 is having on the citrus research team and how it is operating under the fluid situation. He said the center is still working on research while being closed to the public. Grower support will continue via online and telephone avenues. Rogers suggests all citrus growers subscribe to the UF/IFAS Citrus Team Newsletter that will be one of the channels used to distribute research findings. It's important to note this interview was recorded on March 20. Find the latest information on operations at the UF/IFAS and CREC websites. 

Lorenzo Rossi, UF/IFAS assistant professor, focuses on root health research, including how root traits affect nutrient uptake. He discusses work on new nutritional guidelines, explaining that citrus nutrient requirements are different than when guidelines were formulated prior to HLB. Rossi also talks about promising research with oak mulch and studies on other mulches, compost and cover crops.

Wrapping up this episode, Ramdas Kanissery, UF/IFAS assistant professor, gives the latest updates on his weed research. Kanissery explains what herbicide synergy is and how it helps growers maximize applications and reduce tolerance. He also discusses research that is improving the safety of production practices a well as potential impacts weeds have in a grove.

All In For Citrus, Episode 18 February 2020

This month's podcast includes three timely interviews on topics of interest to the citrus industry.

Citrus Research and Education Center Director Michael Rogers gives an update on the Citrus Nutrition Box Program that started last fall, including the individualized nutrition recommendations being made by University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) experts. Rogers also shares the latest information on the search for a new UF/IFAS vice president, including dates in March when the candidates will meet with the industry. Finally, he announces a new citrus Extension agent.

UF/IFAS postharvest horticulturist Mark Ritenour addresses several fresh fruit issues, starting with changes in maximum residue limit requirements for fresh citrus markets. One new research project he discusses is an effort to develop methods to reduce postharvest decay. He also speaks about an electronic grading unit that will measure numerous fruit quality parameters. Researchers want to determine the unit's ability to separate unmarketable fruit – including that affected by HLB – from healthy fruit.

Wrapping up the episode, entomologist Lukasz Stelinski says that even with HLB infection in Florida at virtually 100 percent, reducing the psyllids that spread the disease promotes plant health and yield. He discusses the importance of psyllid spray timing as well as rotating insecticide modes of action. Biological control of psyllids is also addressed.

All In For Citrus, Episode 17 January 2020

The first episode of the year of the All In For Citrus Podcast includes efforts to get research information out to growers, threshold numbers on production costs that are a little shocking with current juice prices the way they are, nutrition programs that continue to help manage HLB-affected trees, and breeding work to solve citrus challenges.

Senior Correspondent-at-Large Ernie Neff starts the show with Michael Rogers, director of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center. Rogers discusses communication efforts, including the All In For Citrus Podcast and steps UF/IFAS is taking to further improve its communications with growers. He also provides an update on the search for a new UF/IFAS vice president and shares details on upcoming citrus events.

Then, Extension economist Ariel Singerman speaks on a recent article he wrote on the subject of how much growers can afford to spend on the caretaking of processed orange groves. The article addresses the grove management decisions growers must make in the face of current orange price declines. It points out that an average grower would need to cut back significantly on caretaking expenses just to break even.

Next, plant pathologist Evan Johnson discusses the damage that HLB inflicts on citrus tree roots and steps growers can take to cope with the problem. Chief among the root health management practices are “spoon-feeding” of nutrients and irrigation. The more frequent applications allow trees to make better use of those inputs. Johnson says most growers he knows have adopted the spoon-feeding practice, and some have seen increased root mass.

Wrapping up the show, geneticist and plant breeder Jude Grosser believes higher quality orange juice, coming from higher quality oranges, is needed to combat falling juice sales. He points out that growers also need oranges that are better able to produce good juice fruit in the face of HLB. Grosser talks about new orange varieties that have been developed by UF/IFAS to accomplish those goals. He and fellow breeders have focused on improving juice quality throughout the entire season.

All In For Citrus, Episode 16 December 2019

The December All In For Citrus podcast has critical insights on citrus production, including contract issues, a view from Brazil, soil health research and the Winter Weather Watch program.

Numerous Florida citrus growers have no contracts and no offers, or very low offers, for their juice oranges this season. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center Director Michael Rogers discusses the difficult decisions facing those growers and how they might best decide to allocate money for grove management practices. Nutrient and water management should be top priorities, he says.

Indian River Research and Education Center horticulturist Johnny Ferrarezi joins the podcast to discuss his recent trip to Brazil. Even though the situations in Florida and Brazil are very different, he says there is a lot to take away from the Brazilian citrus industry's management practices.

Keeping trees as healthy as possible is key to surviving HLB disease. Sarah Strauss, UF/IFAS soil microbiologist, gives an update on her research into cover crops. Strauss and other researchers are working on trying to identify varieties that make the best cover crop mixes for growers. She also talks about new funding just announced to start a study looking into compost.

Multi-county citrus Extension agent Chris Oswalt discusses the long-running Winter Weather Watch program that provides participating growers with phone access to localized weather forecasts. The watch is available in the west, central and southwest regions of Florida. Oswalt says many growers use information from the watch in conjunction with information from the Florida Automated Weather Network.

All In For Citrus, Episode 15 November 2019

The All In For Citrus podcast for November is packed with updates on various aspects of citrus production.

Citrus Research and Education Center Director Michael Rogers tells how the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) helped a Washington Post reporter write a well-balanced article about the Florida citrus industry and HLB. Rogers points out that the reporter painted a pretty dire picture of the Florida citrus industry as a result of HLB, but also described some research advances.

UF/IFAS pathologist Ozgur Batuman reviews his research that is looking to attack the Asian citrus psyllid from the inside out. Batuman is excited about five viruses he and others have found and isolated in the gut of psyllids in Florida. He hopes these viruses can be manipulated to negatively impact the function of the host and possibly even kill the psyllid.

UF/IFAS horticulturist Tripti Vashisth discusses the success of a Citrus Nutrition Management Program that distributed nutrition sampling kits to approximately 110 growers this fall. The kits provide everything growers need to collect leaf and soil samples for a year. The samples help growers ensure their nutrition programs are working.

Yiannis Ampatzidis, UF/IFAS assistant professor, shares the latest information on his high-tech tool for growers to monitor groves. His research uses drones to save time and money by monitoring tree size and counting gaps in rows. This information is needed for insurance reasons, and Ampatzidis hopes it can soon save the grower even more money by incorporating variable-spray technology.

All In For Citrus, Episode 14 October 2019

October's All In For Citrus podcast includes something new — a California guest!

First, events providing growers with starter nutrition sampling kits went so well this month that an extra event has been added for next month, reports Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) Director Michael Rogers. Another well-attended event that he discusses was the CREC Plant Improvement Team’s first fruit display of the season. Rogers explains the value of the fruit displays for growers and the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS).

Next, UF/IFAS post-harvest specialist Mark Ritenour at the Indian River Research and Education Center has been evaluating the quality and shelf life of new mandarins and sweet oranges. He breaks down the results of his studies in this month's program.

Then, Lauren Diepenbrock, UF/IFAS CREC entomologist, provides an update on the long-horned beetle found in Hendry County in September. She says breaking limbs in groves are a key indicator of the pest’s presence. Diepenbrock notes that treatment options are limited because the pest is in the wood, but she suggests a prevention technique.

Finally, Georgios Vidalakis from the University of California Riverside works extensively with California's citrus industry in the fight against citrus greening. He recently made a visit to the Sunshine State, where he spoke with University of Florida researchers and local growers. In the podcast, he discusses his Florida trip and his hopes for both states’ citrus industries.

Listen to the latest episode of the All In For Citrus Podcast.

All In For Citrus, Episode 13 September 2019

September's All In for Citrus Podcasts includes some exciting updates from UF/IFAS citrus research.

First, Michael Rogers, director of the Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) at Lake Alfred, discusses the new Florida Citrus Production Guide, tree planting decisions, fruit displays and the planned hiring of a new horticulturist at the CREC. The new horticulturist will work on late-stage field evaluations of new rootstocks and scion varieties.

Next, Citrus Horticulturalist Tripti Vashisth introduces listeners to a new nutrition starter kit. She explains what is inside the kit as well as where growers can pick up their own.

Kelly Morgan, Southwest Florida Research and Education Center director is also on the program this month. He discusses the new grad student housing building that recently broke ground in Immokalee.

Finally, Citrus Breeder Fred Gmitter discusses some exciting advancements coming out of the citrus breeding program, including what they're doing to create a new grapefruit variety. He also breaks down the new Mandarin variety, Marathon.

All In For Citrus, Episode 12 August 2019

August's All In for Citrus podcast includes some exciting updates from the recent Citrus Expo!

First, Michael Rogers, director of the Citrus Research and Education Center, summarizes the good grower responses that UF/IFAS has received regarding the seminar program at Citrus Expo. He discusses the new Hands-on session that attracted a full house on the second day of Expo. “They (growers) thought it was very worthwhile to stick around and participate,” he says. Finally, Rogers summarizes a new program he introduced at Expo, in which UF/IFAS will fund some nutrition sampling to encourage growers to conduct soil and leaf samples.

Then, Multi-County Citrus Extension Agent Mongi Zekri discusses the effectiveness of tree covers on young trees in the fight against citrus greening. Zekri talks about the material of the tree cover, as well as if he thinks it's worth the extra cost for growers.

Lastly, Ute Albrecht, a citrus physiologist at the UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, gives an in-depth look to her work with rootstocks. She talks about what rootstocks are and why growers should keep an eye on this work. She also goes over the presentation she gave at the recent Citrus Expo. If you could not make it to her presentation at Expo, listen to the August program to get up-to-date.

All In For Citrus, Episode 11 July 2019

Researchers at the University of Florida’s Citrus Research and Education Center are gearing up for the 2019 Citrus Expo! Get a sneak peek of what to expect at during the citrus program on July’s All In for Citrus podcast. Also, growers will also hear an update on a recent pest alert on this month’s program.

Michael Rogers, director of the Citrus Research and Education Center, discusses new opportunities for growers to learn in interactions with researchers at Citrus Expo on Thursday afternoon, Aug. 15. He discusses numerous topics that will be addressed at each of several stations where growers will participate in “hands-on” activities. At the same time, researchers at round tables will talk with growers in “meet the specialist” sessions, he says.

Citrus Expo educational seminars are addressed by horticulturist Tripti Vashisth, who is organizing the Aug. 14-15 citrus seminars. She lists all the presentations that will be made and reports in-depth on a talk she’ll make Aug. 14 regarding fruit drop. She has found that fruit drop is heavily related to fruit size and says growers who improve fruit size with good irrigation and nutrition can reduce drop.

Entomologist Lauren Diepenbrock provides a thorough update on the lebbeck mealybug, the latest citrus pest found in Highlands County groves in June. She discusses the potential heavy damage this pest can cause, immediate steps growers can take to reduce its spread, and possible long-term control measures. She tells who growers should contact if they suspect they have the lebbeck mealybug in their groves.

Be sure to register for the 2019 Citrus Expo, happening Aug. 15-16 at the Lee Civic Center in North Fort Myers, FL. All pre-registered growers will automatically be entered to win a John Deere gun safe courtesy of Everglades Equipment Group. The seminar schedule will be coming soon. Visit CitruExpo.net for more information or to register.

All In For Citrus, Episode 10 June 2019

June's All In for Citrus Podcast is filled with updates on University of Florida citrus research

First, Michael Rogers focuses on a recent Florida visit by some USDA administrators who make the decisions on how millions of dollars in Farm Bill citrus research money are allocated. He explains that the visit was very valuable for the National Institute of Food and Agriculture officials because they got to learn what research growers need, and what research is already being conducted.

Following that, Kelly Morgan, Southwest Florida Research and Education Center (SWFREC) director, gives listeners an update on citrus research happening at the center. Morgan was a guest on the first All In for Citrus Podcast in 2018 where he laid the framework of what was to come for the center in 2019, and this month he gives a break down on how those projects are going so far.

Lastly, Ozgur Batuman, assistant professor of citrus pathology at SWFREC, talks about a project he's been working on since he came on the SWFREC staff in 2016. The project revolves around creating a robotic arm that can help citrus growers apply chemicals in their groves. He discusses the beginnings of the project and how it may be a game changer in growers' production systems.

A reminder that grower registration for the 2019 Citrus Expo is now open! The Citrus Expo will be held August 14-15 at the Lee civic center in North Fort Myers, Florida. All registered growers will automatically be entered to win a John Deere gun safe courtesy of Everglades Equipment Group. Visit CitrusExpo.net to register and find more information.