UF/IFAS has released the 3rd edition of its book, Nutrition of Florida Citrus Trees, which is aimed at helping Florida citrus growers deal with citrus greening.

Florida citrus growers are having to up their game when it comes to dealing with citrus Greening. Researchers at UF/IFAS are doing everything in their power to get the latest information concerning citrus greening management to Florida citrus grower. UF/IFAS just released its third edition of its book, Nutrition of Florida Citrus Trees,” to aid Florida citrus growers in coping with citrus greening, according to a Citrus Industry article. See the key updates of the book below.

Details of the Nutrition of Florida Citrus Trees Book

While the book, also referred to as a guide, contains older information, co-editor Davie Kadyampakeni, an assistant professor of soil and water science, maintained that the older information is still relevant and useful. According to the article, new information in the book includes the “best ways to use soil organic matter, a product of residues from organisms that have decomposed and are incorporated in the soil.”

Per the article, additional updates include:

  • “Chapter 2 highlights the importance of soil pH and soil organic matter management to improve tree performance in the era of HLB. Soil pH measures acids or bases in the soil that can affect the presence and availability of nutrients.
  • Chapter 6 describes the importance of what Kadyampakeni calls “spoon-feeding” HLB-affected trees. Growers can do this by using controlled-release or liquid fertilizers, so nutrients go move easily from the soil into the tree. Greening-affected trees have limited capacity — a compromised root structure — to take up nutrients.
  • Chapter 8 describes new findings drawn from several years of experiments on improving tree performance through balanced soil nutrition. In the same chapter, the authors describe improved soil pH moderation practices and root-health management for increasing productivity of HLB-affected trees.
  • Chapter 9 shows the importance of managing water differently for HLB-affected trees. Such trees have limited capacity to absorb water. Recommendations include frequent irrigation to increase water in the root zone in the soil beneath trees.
  • Chapter 11 includes information on the CUPS strategy to grow trees in screen-enclosed structures. The screening system keeps the Asian citrus psyllid off citrus trees. The psyllid is the insect that transmits the pathogen that causes citrus greening.”

Find the Nutrition of Florida Citrus Trees Book here.

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