Learn about aggressive weeds in citrus and why control is so difficult, and so important, for your Florida citrus grove.
“A University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) report indicated weed control accounted for about 20% of processed orange production costs in Southwest Florida in 2021–22;” this is according to a Citrus Industry article that shared the key points from a UF/IFAS virtual presentations titled ” Managing Aggressive Weeds in Citrus.” Given by Horticultural sciences Associate Professor Ramdas Kanissery and citrus Extension agent for Southwest Florida Mongi Zekri, the presentation looked at the problems weeds present to citrus growers.
Aggressive Weeds in Citrus
The article shared examples from the presentation of aggressive weeds in citrus that can be hard to control. They included:
- Spanish needle
- Horseweed
- Dayflower
- Parthenium
- Bermuda grass
- Nutsedge
- Goatweed
- Guinea grass
The presenters maintained that these weeds are hard to control because they share the following traits:
- “They are tolerant to herbicide programs.
- They grow aggressively.
- They have deep or extensive root systems.
- They have high reproductive capacity.
- They are highly adaptable.”
Why Weeds are So Problematic
The article shared the main reasons why weeds are such a problem:
- “They affect the health and productivity of citrus. (Zekri added that weeds reduce crop yields and increase production costs.)
- They provide competition for resources. (Zekri said they compete with trees — particularly young trees — for water, nutrients, space and even light in the case of climbing vines, which can easily cover trees. “The more competitive the weeds, the more adversely they alter tree physiology, growth, fruit yield and quality,” Zekri said.)
- They increase susceptibility to pests and diseases. (Zekri noted that weeds may also harbor insect pests, mites and plant diseases.)
- Zekri pointed out that ‘weeds have various effects on tree performance, including reduced efficiency of low-volume irrigation systems and interception of soil-applied pesticides and fertilizer.’”
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.