Column

No one in the field of agriculture has ever claimed that farming is easy, yet growers push on because it’s in their blood. Unfavorable weather conditions, variable yields, diseases, pests, and market fluctuations are nothing new. In fact, most Florida farmers effectively say, “Been there, done that.” Florida growers are resilient and resourceful, well versed […]

Thomas Edison may have put it best when he said that “Genius is 1 percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration.” For the Florida citrus industry, the struggle with greening has been a season of perspiration. Although we have seen some research advancements, it seems like these developments are not coming fast enough. We are simply

Propagating citrus budwood involves taking a cutting, or scion, from a healthy citrus tree and grafting it onto a rootstock. This method preserves the desirable traits of the parent tree, such as fruit quality maturity to flower fruit or disease resistance. It’s a quicker and more reliable way to produce trees with known characteristics compared

Equine gastric ulcers are a significant concern for horse owners, as they can cause discomfort and affect a horse’s overall health and performance. The equine stomach continually secretes gastric acid, which aids in the digestion of food. However, when the acid production overwhelms the stomach’s protective mechanisms — usually a layer of mucus — ulcers

Brazilian agro-science has released information on what is being called a “groundbreaking study” into the use of an antioxidant supplement as a fertilizer to combat citrus greening and other plant diseases. The research was conducted by biologist and researcher Dr. Simone Cristina Picchi at the labs of the Citrus Center of the Agronomic Institute of

We’re living in unique times with challenges piling up on all fronts. The nation is wracked by civil and political turmoil, and the cost of living is taking a toll on everyone’s pocketbook and morale.  One of the biggest challenges we face is inflation. It’s getting more and more difficult to keep food in our

A February 2024 report from the USDA Agricultural Research Service indicates that scientists may be one step closer to not only developing a hybrid citrus tree that can tolerate greening but also a hybrid citrus tree that can produce a fruit with suitable juice. The research team identified 26 total flavor compounds and seven chemicals

Just as Florida is synonymous with oranges, our neighbors to the north in Georgia are linked with peaches. And with our struggles involving citrus greening, some growers may be considering planting some peach trees in former grove land. But is this the strongest option? To thrive and produce Peaches require “chill hours,” time when the

In the idyllic groves of orange trees, a silent battle rages on—one that threatens the very essence of these beloved fruits. Citrus canker and greening, formidable foes to the citrus industry worldwide, have wreaked havoc on our groves, challenging growers to find resilient solutions. Amidst this challenge, a promising ally emerges: gene editing through precision

We spend a lot of time in this monthly column focused on Tree Defender’s impact in Florida and the Florida citrus industry. That seems obvious: We were born in Central Florida. We live here. The idea, research, development, and deployment of Tree Defender was, in large part, a response to a Central (and beyond) Florida