Over the past decade, Florida citrus production practices have changed dramatically due to the challenges presented by huanglongbing (HLB). As we have learned more about this disease, how it is spread by the Asian citrus psyllid, and the overall effects on citrus tree health, it is increasingly evident that management of this disease requires changes to all aspects of citrus production. Several factors must all be considered together when developing a site-specific management plan for citrus production in the presence of HLB. The Florida Citrus Production Guide will continue to be updated annually with the latest information to help growers refine their production practices using the latest research-based findings proven to be effective for Florida citrus production.
For example, in this edition, latest information regarding the changes to the fertilizer recommendation for Calcium, Magnesium, Manganese, and Zinc has been added; please refer to the nutrition management chapter. Also, refer to the PGR chapter for the latest recommendation regarding the use of gibberellic acid for improving the health and productivity of HLB-affected trees. The brown rot chapter has new product recommendations for management of this important pre- and postharvest disease. We also added the plant immune activator, Aura Citrus, for management of canker in the canopy.
In addition to changes in production practices needed to manage emerging pest problems in Florida, the regulatory environment is also constantly changing. New rules for Worker Protection Standards (WPS) were fully implemented in January 2018, including important changes to worker training, reporting, and posting of pesticide applications. Likewise, compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule (PSR) was required by January of 2020 for all farm sizes. This rule established minimum food safety standards to be implemented by growers, packers, and harvesters of fresh produce. Compliance with these rules directly impacts day-to-day production practices and costs to Florida citrus growers. The requirements of these rules are explained in the chapters on WPS and food safety. Because changes in these rules are likely to occur, the guide will be updated to reflect the latest information growers need to know to ensure compliance, so please continue to review these chapters in the coming years.
Overall, the goal of the Florida Citrus Production Guide is to serve as a reference for information needed to guide decision-making in Florida citrus-growing operations. It is not intended to replace agricultural product labels that contain important usage information and should be immediately accessible for reference. Violations of directions for use printed on the label are against state and federal laws. Always read and follow label instructions! Likewise, state and federal regulations on topics such as WPS are constantly changing, and not all the information needed to ensure compliance can be covered in this guide. The WPS chapter in this guide covers some of the important highlights of these rules. It is imperative that growers obtain copies of and follow the detailed rules outlined in the regulatory documents referenced in this guide. The Florida Citrus Production Guide provides general guidance and is NOT the final regulatory document that should be followed!
For specific information on pest identification, biology, damage, or nonchemical management techniques, refer to Ask IFAS/EDIS and other UF/IFAS, USDA, and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) publications. In addition to the authors listed throughout the Florida Citrus Production Guide, the citrus Extension specialists, faculty, and Extension agents listed below can provide assistance with citrus production practices.
UF/IFAS Research and Education Centers
UF/IFAS Citrus REC
700 Experiment Station Road
Lake Alfred, FL 33850-2299
(863) 956-1151
Dr. Michael E. Rogers, Center Director/Entomology
Dr. John M. Chater, Horticulture
Dr. Michelle D. Danyluk, Food Safety
Dr. Megan M. Dewdney, Plant Pathology
Dr. Lauren M. Diepenbrock, Entomology
Dr. Larry W. Duncan, Nematology
Dr. Manjul Dutt, Horticulture
Dr. Choaa El-Mohtar, Plant Pathology
Dr. Fred G. Gmitter, Horticulture
Dr. Jude W. Grosser, Horticulture
Dr. Davie M. Kadyampakeni, Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences
Dr. Nabil Killiny, Plant Pathology
Dr. Amit Levy, Plant Pathology
Ms. Taylor O'Bannon, Food Safety
Dr. Ahmad Omar, Horticulture
Dr. Arnold W. Schumann, Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences
Dr. Ariel Singerman, Economics
Dr. Lukasz L. Stelinski, Entomology
Dr. Tripti Vashisth, Horticulture
Dr. Christopher I. Vincent, Horticulture
Dr. Nian Wang, Microbiology and Cell Science
Dr. Yu Wang, Food Science
UF/IFAS Indian River REC
2199 South Rock Road
Ft. Pierce, FL 34945-3138
(772) 468-3922
Dr. Mark Kistler, Center Director/Agricultural Education
Dr. Liliana Cano, Plant Pathology
Dr. Sandra Guzmán, Agricultural Engineering
Dr. Mark A. Ritenour, Postharvest Physiology
Dr. Lorenzo Rossi, Horticulture
Dr. Alan Wright, Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences
Dr. Flavia Zambon, Horticulture
UF/IFAS Mid Florida REC
2757 S. Binion Road
Apopka, FL 32703
(407) 884-2034
Dr. Kirsten Pelz-Stelinski, Center Director/Entomology
UF/IFAS North Florida REC
155 Research Road
Quincy, FL 32351
(850) 875-7100
Dr. Dean Pringle, Center Director/Animal Science
Dr. Xavier Martini, Entomology
Dr. Muhammad A. Shahid, Horticulture
UF/IFAS Range Cattle REC
3401 Experiment Station
Ona, FL 33865
http://rcrec-ona.ifas.ufl.edu/
(863) 735-1314
Dr. Brent Sellers, Center Director/Weed Science
UF/IFAS Southwest Florida REC
2686 State Road 29 N
Immokalee, FL 34142-9515
(239) 658-3400
Dr. Michael Burton, Center Director/Agronomy
Dr. Ute Albrecht, Horticulture/Plant Physiology
Dr. Fernando Alferez, Horticulture
Dr. Ioannis Ampatzidis, Agricultural and Biological Engineering
Dr. Ozgur Batuman, Plant Pathology
Ms. Stephanie Brown, Food Science
Dr. Ramdas Kanissery, Weed Science
Dr. Kimberly Morgan, Economics
Dr. Jawwad Qureshi, Entomology
Dr. Sarah Strauss, Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences/Soil Microbiology
Dr. Nicolaos Tziolas, Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences
Dr. Tara Wade, Economics
UF/IFAS Tropical REC
18905 SW 280 Street
Homestead, FL 33031-3314
(305) 246-7000
Dr. Edward "Gilly" Evans, Center Director/Economics
Dr. Jonathan H. Crane, Associate Center Director/Horticulture
Dr. Daniel Carillo, Entomology
UF/IFAS Extension Agents—Citrus
Alissa Hevesh
Extension Agent I, Highlands County, Agriculture and Natural Resources
UF/IFAS Extension Highlands County
4509 George Blvd.
Sebring, FL 33875
(863) 402-6540
TBD
Extension Agent I, Multi-County, Citrus
DeSoto, Hardee, and Manatee Counties
UF/IFAS Extension DeSoto County
2150 NE Roan St
Arcadia, FL 34266
(863) 993-4846
TBD
Extension Agent I, Multi-County, Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems, Commercial Horticulture
Sumter, Pasco, and Hernando Counties
UF/IFAS Extension Sumter County
7620 SR 41 Suite 2
Bushnell, FL 33513
(352) 569-6872
Mr. W. Chris Oswalt
Extension Agent IV, Multi-County, Citrus
Hillsborough and Polk Counties
UF/IFAS Extension Polk County
PO Box 9005, Drawer HS03
Bartow, FL 33831-9005
(863) 519-8677
Email: wcoswalt@ufl.edu
Dr. Amir Rezazadeh
Extension Agent II, Multi-County, Fruit/Field Crops
UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County
8400 Picos Rd., Suite 101
Ft. Pierce, FL 34945
(772) 462-1660
Email: amir2558@ufl.edu
Mr. Matt T. Smith
Extension Agent II, Multi-County, Commercial Crop Production & Food Systems
UF/IFAS Extension Lake County and Orange Counties
1951 Woodlea Rd.
Taveres, FL 32778
(352) 343-4101
Email: smith197@ufl.edu
Mrs. Danielle Williams
Extension Agent II, Multi-County, Commercial Horticulture
UF/IFAS Extension Gadsden County
2140 W. Jefferson St.
Quincy, FL 32351
850-875-7255
Email: dsprague@ufl.edu
Dr. Mongi Zekri
Extension Agent IV, Multi-County, Citrus
UF/IFAS Extension Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, and Lee Counties
PO Box 68
LaBelle, FL 33975-0068
(863) 674-4092
Email: maz@ufl.edu