Explore the lessons learned about growing Florida citrus through UF/IFAS’s Nutrition Box Program.

UF/IFAS’s Nutrition Management Program, also known as the Nutrition Box Program, has revealed some important facts about growing citrus in Florida, according to a Citrus Industry article. The program provides Florida citrus growers with kits for testing soil and citrus leaves that are then analyzed by UF/IFAS agents who then give tailored nutrition recommendations for each grower. See the information about growing citrus in The Sunshine State the program has revealed, below.

Lessons From the Nutrition Box Program

According to the article, Tripti Vashisth, UF/IFAS assistant professor of horticultural sciences and a citrus Extension specialist, shared the information on the Nutrition Box Program during a UF/IFAS OJ Break grower meeting. The article maintained that “researchers have found that following nutrition and irrigation guidelines designed for a specific grove will help growers promote tree health and produce high-quality citrus.”

The lessons learned about Florida citrus, from the article, include:

  • “High boron levels are present throughout Florida, but no toxicity reports have been recorded yet.”
  • “Some growers are over-implementing acidification treatments. To best monitor acidification levels, growers should constantly monitor soil pH levels in their groves. Optimal soil pH is 5.8 to 6.5.”
  • “Leaf manganese and zinc levels seem to take a dip across the state from the fall through spring.”

Vashisth advised “growers should regularly monitor their nutrient levels throughout the year for optimal results.”

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.