Muhammad A. Shahid

0000-0003-1079-3836

Commercial Fresh Market, Wine, Juice, and Jelly Grape Cultivars for Florida

J. Breman, P. C. Andersen, M. A. Shahid, and A. Sarkhosh

Illustrated fact sheet describes the characteristics needed in cultivars for successful commercial grape production in Florida. Includes references and information on cultivars recommended by IFAS for wine, juice and jelly, and fresh market, plus fresh market muscadine cultivars for planting on a trial basis, and sensory evaluation results.

2025–2026 Florida Citrus Production Guide: Nutrition Management for Citrus Trees

Kelly T. Morgan, Davie M. Kadyampakeni, Mongi Zekri, Arnold W. Schumann, Tripti Vashisth, Muhammad A. Shahid, and Thomas A. Obreza

2025–2026 Florida Citrus Production Guide

Floricane Blackberry Pruning Guide for Florida

Muhammad A. Shahid and Ali Sarkhosh

This article aims to provide a general overview of growth habits, fruiting patterns, and pruning requirements/timing for county and state Extension faculty, growers, homeowners, and students interested in growing floricane blackberries in Florida. Written by Muhammad A. Shahid and Ali Sarkhosh, and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, March 2023.

Low-Chill Apple Cultivars for North Florida and North Central Florida

Peter C. Andersen, Muhammad A. Shahid, and Kevin Folta

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet.

2025–2026 Florida Citrus Production Guide: Canopy Management

Tripti Vashisth, Mongi Zekri, Fernando Alferez, and Muhammad A. Shahid

2025–2026 Florida Citrus Production Guide

Growth and Development Stages of Four Japanese Persimmon Varieties in North Florida

Muhammad A. Shahid, Ali Sarkhosh, and Shahid Iqbal

Japanese persimmon (Diospyros kaki) are a good source of vitamins A and C and dietary fiber, while also being low in calories and fat. These fruits are popular in many Asian cuisines and are enjoyed in various ways, including fresh, dried, or cooked in multiple value-added products. This publication will provide information on persimmon phenological growth stages of four established varieties grown at the UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center in Quincy, Florida. The nine major persimmon growth stages are divided into two categories: vegetative and reproductive stages. This publication provides illustrative figures for each development stage. Accurate identification of phenological stages is important for making informed decisions on plant care, fertilizer, irrigation, and fruit harvesting. This information will be helpful to students, growers, homeowners, nursery workers, and Extension agents interested in growing persimmons in Florida.

Perennial Peanut as a Potential Living Mulch and Nitrogen Source for Citrus and Other Orchard Crops in Florida

Muhammad A. Shahid, K. Leaks, A. R. Blount, and Cheryl Mackowiak

The concept of using a perennial peanut as a living mulch and source of biological nitrogen in fruit and nut crop orchards is not a new idea. In Central and South America, perennial peanuts have long been incorporated as a living groundcover into palm, coffee, cacao, plantain, and citrus, as well as into other fruit and nut production orchards. This cover crop may pose as a viable, environmentally-friendly option for production in Florida, too.

The Satsuma Mandarin

Peter C. Andersen, James J. Ferguson,and Muhammad Adnan Shahid

This articles provides detailed description on cold hardy citrus, the satsuma mandarin.

Dried Persimmon Fruit: A Year-round Available Product

Ali Sarkhosh, Fariborz Habibi, Muhammad A. Shahid, Steven A. Sargent, and Jeffrey K. Brecht

Persimmons (Diospyros kaki) are known for their sweet and flavorful taste. They are native to Asia, specifically China, and were first grown in Florida in the 1870s. Persimmons are still not as popular in the United States as other fruits, but interest has been growing in recent years. Persimmon fruit are generally classified into astringent and non-astringent types. Astringent varieties can have adverse health effects caused by tannins and must be fully ripe (soft) or artificially treated to remove astringency. Drying is a common method to preserve and extend the shelf life of persimmons while also enhancing the flavor, color, and nutritional value of persimmons. There are different methods to dry persimmons, including traditional and modern methods.

Achachairú (Garcinia humilis) Fruit Trees: Botany and Commercial Cultivation in South Florida

Federico W. Sanchez, Jonathan H. Crane, Haimanote Bayabil, Ali Sarkhosh, Muhammad A. Shahid, and Bruce Schaffer

This article provides detailed information on the achachairú’s characteristics, botany, and recommended horticultural practices for commercial growers and county and state Extension faculty in south Florida and is also applicable for homeowners and students interested in growing achachairú. Written by Federico W. Sanchez, Jonathan H. Crane, Haimanote Bayabil, Ali Sarkhosh, Muhammad A. Shahid, and Bruce Schaffer, and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, March 2024.

The Pecan Tree

P. C. Andersen and M. A. Shahid

A comprehensive guide to the pecan tree with recommendations for Florida, Georgia, and Alabama, including: historical information, distribution, botany, site selection and soil preparation, tree spacing, tree planting, propagation in the nursery, propagation of mature trees, cultivar selection, pollination, tree training and pruning, irrigation, fertilization, nutrient deficiencies, tree production and alternative bearing, neglected and abandoned pecan orchards, mammal and bird pest problems, marketing situation, and suggested further reading.

2025–2026 Florida Citrus Production Guide: Fertilizer Application Methods

Mongi Zekri, Arnold W. Schumann, Tripti Vashisth, Davie M. Kadyampakeni, Kelly T. Morgan, Brian Boman, Muhammad A. Shahid, and Thomas A. Obreza

2025–2026 Florida Citrus Production Guide

How to Build a Blackberry Trellis System: A Complete Guide

Muhammad A. Shahid, Shahid Iqbal, and Ali Sarkhosh

Blackberry (Rubus spp.) is a deciduous fruit crop. The fruit are usually small, round, and dark purple to black. Blackberry fruit is comprised of multiple drupelets that cluster together to form a berry, which has a glossy appearance when matured. Blackberries have a complex flavor profile that blends sweetness and acidity, and taste may vary depending on the variety and maturity stage. They are rich in nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Blackberries are best grown in sub-tropical to temperate climates. Blackberry is a new emerging fruit crop in Florida, where they are harvested in May-June. There are several varieties, some of which are native to Florida. This publication aims to provide a general overview of the importance of trellis, different types of trellis, and their installation in blackberry production for county and state Extension faculty, growers, homeowners, and students interested in growing blackberries in Florida.

2025–2026 Florida Citrus Production Guide: Plant Growth Regulators

Tripti Vashisth, Chris Oswalt, Mongi Zekri, Fernando Alferez, Jamie D. Burrow, and Muhammad A. Shahid

2025–2026 Florida Citrus Production Guide

Citrus Fruit Pigments

Fariborz Habibi, Ali Sarkhosh, Jeongim Kim, Muhammad A. Shahid, Fred G. Gmitter Jr., and Jeffrey K. Brecht

Citrus fruits enjoy popularity among consumers due to their enjoyable flavor, health-beneficial properties, and nutritional value. The peel and flesh pigmentation of different citrus species and cultivars ranges from green, to yellow, orange, pink and red. Pigmentation is influenced by genetics, environmental conditions, and tree management. Mature fruit of edible citrus are diverse in size, flavor, and peel and flesh color. The external color of citrus fruits is one of their most important quality characteristics, but the internal pigments also play a significant role in determining their health benefits. The edible part of citrus fruits, including sweet orange, mandarin, pummelo, grapefruit, lime, and lemon, has distinct attributes and pigments. 

The Bunch Grape

Peter C. Andersen and Muhammad A. Shahid

This document provides an overview of bunch grape cultivation in Florida, focusing on the challenges posed by Pierce's disease and the development of resistant varieties. It details the propagation, planting, and maintenance practices necessary for successful grape production, including grafting techniques, trellising, pruning, fertilization, and pest control. The document emphasizes the importance of disease management and proper irrigation to ensure healthy grapevines and optimal yields. It also highlights the specific grape varieties best suited for Florida's climate and soil conditions. Publication date, August 2001.

2025–2026 Florida Citrus Production Guide: Irrigation Management of Citrus Trees

Davie M. Kadyampakeni, Kelly T. Morgan, Mongi Zekri, Arnold W. Schumann, Sandra Guzmán, Fernando Alferez, Muhammad A. Shahid, and Thomas A. Obreza

2025–2026 Florida Citrus Production Guide

Pecan Cultivars for North Florida

Peter C. Andersen

Pecan recommendations for Florida have been updated to include new information about cultivar performance. Check out this revised 13-page fact sheet to select the best cultivars for yield, performance, resistance to disease, and resistance to limb breakage.

The Blackberry

Peter C. Andersen

The Muscadine Grape (Vitis rotundifolia Michx)

Peter C. Andersen, Ali Sarkhosh, Dustin Huff, and Jacque Breman

The muscadine grape is native to the southeastern United States and was the first native grape species to be cultivated in North America. The natural range of muscadine grapes extends from Delaware to central Florida and occurs in all states along the Gulf Coast to east Texas. It also extends northward along the Mississippi River to Missouri. Muscadine grapes will perform well throughout Florida, although performance is poor in calcareous soils or in soils with very poor drainage. Most scientists divide the Vitis genus into two subgenera: Euvitis (the European, Vitis vinifera L. grapes and the American bunch grapes, Vitis labrusca L.) and the Muscadania grapes (muscadine grapes). There are three species within the Muscadania subgenera (Vitis munsoniana, Vitis popenoei and Vitis rotundifolia). Euvitis and Muscadania have somatic chromosome numbers of 38 and 40, respectively. Vines do best in deep, fertile soils, and they can often be found in beside river beds.

The Fig

Ali Sarkhosh and Peter C. Andersen

This article provides the history of fig cultivation, adaptation, description of the fig tree, its culture and management, pests, and fig cultivars.