See the latest information available on updating BMPs for citrus in the era of citrus greening for Florida citrus growers.

Citrus greening affects a citrus tree’s ability to take up and utilize nutrients. Florida citrus growers are having to give citrus additional nutrients, and this has caused an issue for citrus growers that are a part of the Best Management Practices (BMP) program. It was brought to light in mid-2022 that BMPs for citrus were based on pre-citrus greening era research and do not reflect the changes in nutrient needs brought on by citrus greening. Additionally, BMPs also do not allow for variations in one grove from another due to differences in soil, location, etc. The Florida legislature stepped in with Senate Bill 1000 and UF/IFAS committed to updating recommendations that guide BMPs. Explore the latest updates on the process from a Citrus Industry article below.

BMPs for Citrus Update

The article shared the following updates on new BMPs for citrus:

  • “FDACS found that citrus growers have been applying more fertilizers [particularly phosphorus (P)] than UF/IFAS recommendations would indicate, given the reduced yields and tree health experienced by most commercial citrus growers.”
  • “Researchers at UF/IFAS have been conducting field trials…Initially, research efforts evaluated deficient micronutrients including manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn) and boron (B) in leaves of HLB-affected trees.”
  • “Researchers found that secondary macronutrients calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) are also often deficient in leaves of HLB-affected trees.”
  • “The UF/IFAS committee that approves fertilizer recommendations recently approved increasing micronutrients and secondary macronutrients recommendations for HLB-affected trees based on these research results”
  • “The micronutrient applications were found to be more effective if applied in split applications of three to five times per year to leaves, or three to six times per year to the soil.”
  • “These improved and revised recommendations will appear in the 2023 Citrus Production Guide.”
  • “research on fertilizer application rates of N and P is continuing with the goal of improving UF/IFAS recommendations for HLB-affected trees.”

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.