A recent virtual presentation by a UF/IFAS horticulturalist discussed various protective tree covers for citrus in Florida.
Protective tree covers for citrus have been a focus of those in Florida citrus, and the options available the focus of a recent virtual presentation given by UF/IFAS citrus horticulturist Fernando Alferez. The main protective covers utilized by Florida citrus growers are individual protective covers (IPCs) and citrus under protective screen (CUPS), but Alferez shared additional protective covers that are used around the world, according to a Citrus Industry article. See the details below.
Details on Protective Tree Covers
Alferez’s presentation discussed the two protective tree covers most commonly used in Florida, ICPs and CUPs. Alferez has been conducting an experiment for three years into ICPs, and he shared that those trees are still free of citrus greening and have shown improved growth. He also shared the different areas he’s researching concerning CUPs.
In addition, Alferez detailed other tree protection systems that are used in citrus operations around the world that could be useful to Florida growers. From the article, they include:
- “Screening over multiple trees is being used in Valencia, Spain, to exclude bees in an effort to avoid cross-pollination and seeds in fruit.”
- “Shading is used over many contiguous acres of trees in Spain and Morocco to avoid sunburn.”
- “Thermic mesh bags are protecting trees from freezing temperatures in California and Spain.”
Griffin Fertilizer is committed to helping both growers and ranchers make sound agronomic and economic decisions in order to maximize the health of their grove and pasture. As a full-service custom dry & liquid fertilizer blender and crop protection product distributor, we will continue our mission to further advance Florida agriculture. For questions or concerns about your farm or pasture, contact us and one of our team will be in touch.