After significant drought in many parts of Florida, some much-needed rainfall began in May as the rainy season approaches. That seasonal transition, from a grove management perspective, is the focus of the May episode of the All In For Citrus podcast.

Michael Rogers, director of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center, reminds growers that spring is a critical time of year to manage the fruit set occurring in groves for next season’s crop. He emphasizes the importance of proper irrigation and fertigation during mid-May as drought conditions persist, noting that grower decisions now will determine fruit set and yields for the rest of the year.

Without adequate fertilizer applications during this window, fruit will not size up properly, and fruit retention will be reduced. Frequent irrigation during the dry period is critical to help trees meet the demands of the fruit set period and avoid stress.

Sandra Guzmán, UF/IFAS assistant professor of agricultural and biological engineering, offers a timely discussion on a software platform she and her team have developed called IrrigMonitor. The system helps growers determine optimal watering times to avoid both over-irrigation and under-irrigation during drought or rainy periods. The software works with tools like soil moisture sensors and weather stations that growers already have on their farms.

Guzmán said IrrigMonitor is a decision support platform designed to help growers determine whether trees need water based on combined data from soil moisture, weather forecasts and irrigation schedules. She describes the tool as a "weather app for irrigation" that provides real-time guidance for irrigation decisions.

For growers interested in learning more about IrrigMonitor, Guzmán can be contacted at sandra.guzmangut@ufl.edu.

Also in the May podcast, Fernando Alferez, UF/IFAS associate professor of citrus horticulture, shares new data from his research on the use of individual protective covers (IPCs) and brassinosteroids to protect and rejuvenate trees impacted by HLB. He also discusses new research data on citrus canker management.

The podcast is a partnership between UF/IFAS and AgNet Media.

In April, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) hosted its annual Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute in Avon Park. The event is the subject of discussion in the April All In For Citrus podcast episode.

Michael Rogers, director of the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC), says the Institute is among the big three citrus events each year. The others are the Florida Citrus Show held in March and the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo scheduled for Aug. 12–13 in Fort Myers.

The morning session of the Institute included timely presentations from UF/IFAS citrus researchers. After lunch, a meet-and-greet format gave growers the opportunity to converse with scientists one-on-one.

Rogers discusses a presentation by Ute Albrecht, UF/IFAS associate professor of plant physiology, which laid out data from her ongoing research on trunk-injection of oxytetracycline. Her trials over three years show steady improvement in yields, and fruit-quality improvements are beginning to show up.

Rogers also emphasizes the importance of the presentation given by Matt Smith, UF/IFAS Extension commercial crop production and food systems agent for Lake and Orange counties. His talk outlined new pesticide regulations related to the Endangered Species Act. Growers need to understand what these rules mean and how they impact herbicides and insecticides. Fungicide regulations are coming soon.

The podcast also includes an interview with Smith on the scene at the Institute. He discusses pesticide use limitation areas (PULAs) in detail. PULAs are part of the new rules for pesticide application. Smith says this is no longer a regulation coming soon; it is a regulation that is in place.

Also included in the podcast are interviews with UF/IFAS entomologist Lukasz Stelinski and UF/IFAS weed scientist Ramdas Kanissery, conducted at the Institute.

The March All In For Citrus podcast previews a couple of events coming in April and May that growers will want to mark on their calendars.

Michael Rogers, director of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC), discusses the Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute scheduled for April 14 at South Florida State College in Avon Park. A presentation that will be given by Matt Smith, UF/IFAS Extension commercial crop production and food systems agent for Lake and Orange counties, will focus on new pesticide regulations related to the Endangered Species Act.

These regulations will apply to any pesticide applications, especially those in pesticide use limitation areas (PULAs). Rogers says this is a big change that comes with a lot of information, so Smith’s presentation is one growers and applicators will not want to miss.

Rogers also previews a workshop being held at CREC on May 19. It will take a deeper dive into these new regulations and PULAs. Both events will be available for pre-registration at the CREC website.

Rogers also takes a moment to congratulate CREC citrus breeders Fred Gmitter and Jude Grosser, who will be honored with a special CREC Professorship Award in April. The award has only been given to a handful of CREC scientists in the center’s more than 100-year history.

Gmitter and Grosser discuss the award and some of their more recent rootstock and variety selections. They say they are proud to be honored together, because they’ve worked as a team for many years at CREC.

After the freeze this year, citrus trees were rebounding and flushing nicely in March. Tripti Vashisth, CREC assistant director, joins the podcast to discuss demands this is putting on trees in terms of irrigation and fertilization needs. Irrigation is especially important as many areas in Florida continue to be suffering from significant drought.

The All In For Citrus podcast is a partnership between UF/IFAS and AgNet Media.