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2023–2024 Florida Citrus Production Guide: Introduction

Lauren M. Diepenbrock, Megan M. Dewdney, and Tripti Vashisth

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 blight chapter makes note of trees that do not uptake injected liquids and of the utility of treatments requiring injection on these trees.

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 Extension Digital Information System (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

http://crec.ifas.ufl.edu

(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. 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

Dr. Choaa El-Mohtar, Plant Pathology

Ms. Taylor O'Bannon, State Specialized Agent, 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

https://irrec.ifas.ufl.edu/

(772) 468-3922

Dr. Ron Cave, Entomology

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

UF/IFAS Mid Florida REC

2757 S. Binion Road

Apopka, FL 32703

https://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu

(407) 884-2034

Dr. Kirsten Pelz-Stelinski, Center Director/Entomology

UF/IFAS North Florida REC

155 Research Road

Quincy, FL 32351

http://nfrec.ifas.ufl.edu

(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

https://swfrec.ifas.ufl.edu/

(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

Dr. Ramdas Kanissery, Weed Science

Mr. Matt Krug, Food Science

Dr. Jawwad Qureshi, Entomology

Dr. Sarah Strauss, Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences/Soil Microbiology

Dr. Tara Wade, Economics

UF/IFAS Tropical REC

18905 SW 280 Street

Homestead, FL 33031-3314

https://trec.ifas.ufl.edu/

(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

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

Ms. Lourdes Pérez Cordero

Extension Agent I, Highlands County, Agriculture and Natural Resources

UF/IFAS Extension Highlands County

4509 George Blvd.

Sebring, FL 33875

(863) 402-6540

Email: lperezcordero@ufl.edu

Ms. Ajia Paolillo

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

Email: ajiacunningham@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 Smith

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

Email: smith197@ufl.edu

Mrs. Danielle Williams

Extension Agent I, Multi-County, Commercial Horticulture

UF/IFAS Extension Gadsden County

2140 W. Jefferson St.

Quincy, FL 32351

850-875-7255

Email: dsprague@ufl.edu

TBD

Extension Agent I, Multi-County, Commercial Crop Production & Food Systems

UF/IFAS Extension Lake County

1951 Woodlea Rd.

Taveres, FL 32778

(352) 343-4101

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

Publication #CPMG01

Release Date:August 16, 2023

Related Experts

Diepenbrock, Lauren M.

Specialist/SSA/RSA

University of Florida

Vashisth, Tripti

Specialist/SSA/RSA

University of Florida

Dewdney, Megan M.

Specialist/SSA/RSA

University of Florida

Related Collections

Management
Commercial

About this Publication

This document is CPMG01, one of a series of the Plant Pathology Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date December 1999. Revised annually. Most recent revision June 2023. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication.

About the Authors

Lauren M. Diepenbrock, assistant professor, Entomology and Nematology Department; Megan M. Dewdney, associate professor, Plant Pathology Department; and Tripti Vashisth, associate professor, Horticultural Sciences Department, UF/IFAS Citrus REC; UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

Contacts

  • Lauren Diepenbrock