LAKE ALFRED, FLA — Growers can learn more about recent citrus field trials on nutrition and gibberellic acid and their impact on tree health at a field day hosted by UF/IFAS Extension Polk County, Tuesday, December 14. The field tours will begin with an overview at the Stuart Conference Center, 1710 U.S. 17 in Bartow, Florida.
Participants will be given directions to the featured groves. After visiting groves, participants are invited back to the Stuart Conference Center for further discussion and a complimentary lunch. The event is free but pre-registration is required at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/214631196687. The program will begin at 9:30 a.m. and end at noon with lunch.
The field day is hosted by UF/IFAS Extension citrus agent Chris Oswalt and features Tripti Vashisth and Amit Levy, researchers from the Citrus Research and Education Center located in Lake Alfred. At the nutrition field site, Vashisth will discuss the results of a multi-year citrus nutrition field trial that was designed to provide an effective mitigation of HLB-infected citrus trees. The results of the trial indicate that HLB can be managed to some degree in the field using mineral nutrition. The results will include recommendations on how to use this information in existing groves.
Levy will be discussing and demonstrating methodologies using canopy density to evaluate the efficacy of nutritional treatments used to manage HLB. This type of in-field technology can help growers determine quantitatively the results of HLB management programs. This evaluation methodology can be used for practices related to nutrition, pest, and disease management.
At the gibberellic acid field trial, growers will be able to view treatments and Vashisth will make a field presentation about the timely use gibberellic acid (GA) sprays to manage citrus flowering and tree stress. The information provided will demonstrate the mitigating effects of GA on HLB-infected citrus trees. The information will include current recommendations and use rate information on the use of GA to enhance citrus tree yield.
For more information, please contact Gail Crawford, 863-519-1042 dorothyc@ufl.edu.
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The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents.
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