California Fruit and Vegetable

Tag: Citrus Research Board

  • Citrus Research Board to Host Webinar Series

    The Citrus Research Board (CRB) is preparing to host the 2026 Citrus Growers Educational Webinar Series. CRB will be holding two one-hour webinars, scheduled for June 9 and 23, which will highlight research and discussions for growers.

    The first webinar, “Plant Growth Regulators and California Citrus — Review and Updates,” will review the plant growth regulators (PGRs) currently available to the California citrus industry. This will include uses and effects of each of the PGRs covering both a historical perspective and current needs. The importance of 2,4-D timing will also discussed with respect to the premature fruit drop observed in Fall 2025.

    Registration for the June 9 webinar can be done here.

    The second webinar, “On the Ground with CA-CRaFT,” was started by California Research and Field Trials in 2023 to develop practical, field-based ACP management strategies under real commercial conditions across California. A major focus of this webinar will be updates on canine-assisted Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) inspections, field scouting, tap sampling, sticky traps and drone imagery are being integrated to support regional ACP management decisions and strengthen early detection efforts. Additional updates will include planned expansion of CA-CRaFT activities into Ventura County with stronger emphasis on biological control using self-release Tamarixia radiata cage systems. Ongoing Argentine ant management efforts will also be discussed, as invasive ants continue to be an important factor Tamaraxia establishment and overall biological control success in California citrus.

    Registration for the June 23 webinar can be done here. — Story contributed by the Citrus Research Board

  • California Citrus Breeding Program Receives Additional Congressional Support

    California Citrus Mutual (CCM) and Citrus Research Board (CRB) voiced support for the House Committee on Appropriations for including additional funds in the FY 2027 Agriculture Appropriations bill for the citrus breeding program in Parlier.

    Congress is allocating an additional $500,000 in federal funding, on top of the $1.5 million previously granted, to expand the program into California. If approved, the program will receive $2 million in federal funds annually, in addition to the funding it receives from CRB.

    “CRB was instrumental in developing the concept for the California-based program and was also involved in efforts to establish the nationwide program, while CCM advocated to secure funding,” said CRB President Marcy Martin. “Our two organizations working together on behalf of the industry have been instrumental in getting this program off the ground.”

    “I would like to thank our Appropriators and Committee leadership for their continued support of this vital program,” said CCM Director of Governmental Affairs Jacob Villagomez. “Finding solutions for California-specific growing patterns is an essential tool in fighting HLB for years to come.”

    The California citrus breeding program will focus on fresh market citrus. Funding will go towards research and development of citrus selections suited to California growing regions, changing climatic pressures, consumer taste preferences and resistance to pests and diseases, such as huanglongbing.

    The California program is an expansion of the existing national USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) citrus breeding program located in Fort Pierce, Florida, which is focused primarily on varieties optimized for Florida growing conditions. Work done through the Florida program has resulted in new varieties with higher yields, increased disease resistance, improved color, and a longer shelf life.

    The Florida and California breeding programs, along with the continued support from the University of California citrus breeding program at UC Riverside, will work together to deliver results for California-based growers.

    The California citrus breeding program is located at the USDA ARS field station in Parlier. Thanks to ongoing appropriations commitment, forward progress continues to be made with the addition of a dedicated scientist, completion of a greenhouse, and future plans for laboratory and office space, and hopefully securing additional ground for further expansion.

    — Story contributed by California Citrus Mutual and Citrus Research Board

  • Registration Open for UC Riverside Citrus Day

    Registration is now open for the upcoming UC Riverside Citrus Field Day, which will run from 9 AM. to 3 PM on Thursday, February 19.

    The Field Day will cover a number of subjects of interest to citrus growers. This includes the latest updates on pesticide regulations and pest control, weed control, rootstock applications, citrus scion breeding and evaluation program fruit displays and updates on UCR Research.

    Registration is $50 per person, with lunch included. Parking is available in Lot 30 (across Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. from the Ag Operations Office). The cost of parking is $11 and must be paid for through the ParkMobile app. There will be a shuttle available from the parking lot to the location.

    The Citrus Field Day is an outdoor field meeting. Attendees are advised to come with footwear appropriate for walking in citrus groves and on uneven ground, and to be prepared for potential changes in weather conditions.

    Agenda

    February 19, 2026

    8:45 AM     

    Registration and Parking

    9:00 AM     

    Welcome – Dr. Peggy Mauk and Dr. Tracy Kahn, University of California, Riverside

    9:15 AM     

    Updates on Changes in Pesticide Regulations, Fruit Fly Quarantine, ACP/HLB Regulations – Delia Cioc, Agricultural Commissioner and Chris Blake, Deputy Agricultural Commissioner, Riverside County

    10:00 AM

    First Rotation (30 minutes per speaker)

    Strategies for Controlling Phytophthora spp. in Citrus – Dr. Jim Adaskaveg, University of California, Riverside

    Role of the California Citrus Clonal Protection Program in Disease Prevention – Dr. Georgios Vidalakis, University of California, Riverside

    11:10 AM

    Second Rotation (30 minutes per speaker)

    Strategies for Controlling Asian Citrus Psyllid – Dr. Bodil Cass, University of California, Riverside

    Weed Control Strategies – Dr. Matt Fatino, University of California, Agricultural and Natural Resources San Diego/Riverside Co.

    12:15 PM

    Lunch and Tasting Selections

    Tables for Tasting Selections:

    • Long-term Solutions for Citrus Huanglongbing – Dr. Chandrika Ramadugu, University of California, Riverside
    • UCR Citrus Scion Breeding and Evaluation Program Fruit Display – Toni Siebert Wooldridge, Karen Trunnelle, Dr. Tracy Kahn, Dr. Mikeal Roose, Dr. Danelle Seymour, and Dr. Claire Federici, University of California, Riverside
    • Citrus Relatives Rootstock Trial Tasting: Determining if using relatives as rootstocks impacts the flavor of navel oranges– Zach Thomas and Dr. Mikeal Roose, University of California, Riverside

    1:30 PM

    Third Rotation (30 minutes per speaker)

    Research Update and Overview of the CRaFT Program – Dr. Melinda Klein and Dr. Ivan Milosavljević, Citrus Research Board

    Strategies for Nutritional Management – Dr. Ben Faber, University of California, Agricultural and Natural Resources Ventura

    2:30 PM

    Wrap Up

    3:00 PM

    Adjourn

    Continuing Education Units: This event is approved for 1.0 Laws & Regulations and 2.5 Other CEUs from the California Department of Pesticide Regulations.

    For more information, call UCR Ag Operations at (951) 827-5906 or email agops@ucr.edu

    — UC Riverside

  • Ants Protect Deadly Citrus Disease Vector – New Ant Management Tools

    Ants are known to interfere with biological control of key citrus pests because they feast upon the sugary honeydew produced by small insects. One of these key pests is the invasive asian citrus psyllid that vectors the deadly huanglongbing citrus disease. As California growers diligently work to keep this disease out of citrus orchards, effective ant management is a critical component in the game plan. Ivan Milosavljevic from the California Citrus Research Board met with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network to discuss some new game-changing control strategies. Watch this brief interview and read more about it in California Fruit & Vegetable Magazine.

  • Funding Available for California Citrus Growers to Fight Asian Citrus Psyllid, Prevent Citrus Disease

    Huanglongbing (HLB), the deadly citrus disease that decimated the Florida citrus industry has shown up in Southern California and is now threatening the nation’s number one citrus state.  HLB is primarily spread by the invasive Asian Citrus Psyllid, so managing this insect is key to preventing the spread of the disease. Pest mitigation practices may be costly, the California Citrus Research Board (CRB) introduced the California Citrus Research and Field Trials program (CA-CRaFT) to help fund commercial growers (both conventional and organic) to implement these practices. CRB representative Ivan Milosavljevic met with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network to share details. Watch this brief interview and read more in California Fruit & Vegetable Magazine.

  • California Citrus Grower’s Conference, Oct. 23

    Growers are invited to register now for the Citrus Research Board (CRB)’s Annual California Citrus Grower’s Conference on October 23, 2024, in Visalia, California, at the Visalia Convention Center. Registration will close on Monday, October 14.

    This event is designed specifically for growers and will showcase the outstanding research efforts ongoing for the benefit of California citrus growers and industry. This conference is an invaluable opportunity to learn, connect with fellow growers, and stay involved with innovative research. Additional information can be found at the registration link HERE.

    Scheduled Speakers

      • Casey Creamer, California Citrus Mutual
      • Ashraf El-kereamy, Ph.D., University of California, Riverside
      • Ivan Milosavljević, Ph.D., Citrus Research Board
      • Sandipa Gautam, Ph.D., University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources
      • Daniele Zaccaria, Ph.D., University of California, Davis
      • Raymond Yokomi, Ph.D., USDA Agricultural Research Service
      • Isaac Mazor, Nanovel LTD
      • Amanda Zito, Fresno County Department of Agriculture
      • Luxin Wang, Ph.D., University of California, Davis
      • James (Jim) Adaskaveg, Ph.D., University of California, Riverside
      • Melinda Klein, Ph.D, Citrus Research Board
      • Bodil Cass, Ph.D., University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources
      • Robert Clark, Ph.D., EcoData Technology

    Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

    The following continuing education units have been approved:
    • Department of Pesticide Regulations – 1.5 hours of Other and .5 hours of Laws & Regulations
    • Certified Crop Advisers – 2.5 hours of Integrated Pest Management, .5 hours of Soil & Water Management, and .5 hours of Crop Management

  • California Citrus Breeding Program Expanding with Congressional Support

    Today, Presidents of California Citrus Mutual (CCM) and Citrus Research Board (CRB) issued statements applauding Congressional leaders for recently approving additional funds for the new citrus breeding program in Parlier, California. Congress is allocating an additional $500,000 in federal funding on top of the $1 million granted last year to expand the program into California. The program will now receive $1.5 million in federal funds on an annual basis along with the $500,000 that CRB provides the program with annually.

    “CRB was instrumental in developing the concept for the California based program and was also involved in efforts to establish the nationwide program while CCM advocated to secure funding,” said CRB President Marcy Martin. “Our two organizations working together on behalf of the industry has been instrumental in getting this program off the ground.”

    “On behalf of the industry, I would like to thank our congressional leaders and the Committee for their continued support of this program, which will help us find solutions to issues specific to our growers located in California,” said CCM President and CEO Casey Creamer. “I would like to specifically extend our gratitude to Congressmen Costa and Valadao and Senator Padilla for championing the need for this program in D.C.”

    The California citrus breeding program will focus on fresh market citrus. Funding will go towards research and development of high-quality, superior citrus selections well suited to California growing regions, changing climatic pressures, consumer taste preferences, and resistance to pest and diseases, such as huanglongbing (HLB).

    The California program is an expansion of the existing national USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) citrus breeding program located in Fort Pierce, Florida, which is focused primarily on varieties that are optimized for Florida growing conditions. Work done through the Florida program has resulted in new varieties with higher yields, increased disease resistance, improved color, and a longer shelf life.

    The Florida and California breeding programs along with the continued support from the University of California citrus breeding program at UC Riverside will work together to deliver results for California based growers.

    The California citrus breeding program is located at the USDA-ARS field station in Parlier. Thanks to funds that have already come in, forward progress continues to be made with the addition of a dedicated scientist, developing plans for construction of a greenhouse and laboratory, and securing additional ground for the program.

    About California Citrus Mutual (CCM)
    CCM is a voluntary, non-profit trade association representing California citrus growers on the economic, regulatory, and political issues that most impact them.

    About the Citrus Research Board (CRB)
    The CRB administers the California Citrus Research Program, the grower-funded and grower-directed program established in 1968 under the California Marketing Act as the mechanism enabling the State’s citrus producers to sponsor and support needed research. More information about the Citrus Research Board may be found at www.citrusresearch.org.

  • Federal Funding for New Citrus Breeding Program in Parlier, California

    California Citrus Mutual (CCM) and the Citrus Research Board (CRB) welcome more than $1 million in new federal funding for critical research programs that support the U.S. and California citrus industries.

    The 2023 Appropriations bill passed by Congress recently includes continued funding to help stop the deadly citrus plant disease Huanglonging (HLB) that has devastated citrus production in Florida and other parts of the country. Additionally, $1 million in new funding was approved to establish a citrus breeding program at the USDA Agriculture Research Service (ARS) field station in Parlier, California. This funding will be re-appropriated annually.

    Championed by California Senator Alex Padilla and Representatives Jim Costa and David Valadao, the new California citrus breeding program will identify new citrus varieties that are best suited for changing climatic pressures such as drought, consumer taste preferences, and resistant to pests and diseases such as HLB.

    The program is an expansion of the existing national USDA ARS citrus breeding program located in Florida, which is focused primarily on varieties that are optimized for Florida growing conditions. The Florida program has resulted in new varieties with higher yields, increased disease resistance, improved color, and a longer shelf life.

    With such promising advances being made in Florida, CCM and the CRB saw the need for a similar program in California to breed fresh citrus varieties that are better adapted to the unique environmental conditions of California’s production regions.

    The CRB, which is a grower-funded organization aimed at furthering the industry’s research priorities, has committed $500,000 toward establishing the new breeding program in Parlier, with the goal of bringing additional representation to California’s industry.

    “The commitment of the citrus industry to delivering quality research and innovation for all farm use has taken a big step forward with the support of congress funding the citrus breeding program in Parlier,” said Justin Brown, CRB Chairman.

    Marcy L. Martin, CRB President, added, “Expanding the current national citrus breeding program into California will have a significant impact on California’s citrus industry as growers aim to mitigate the evolving issues that affect production and increase yield through varietal research.”

    The Florida and California breeding programs along with the continued efforts of the University of California citrus breeding program at UC Riverside will work together to deliver the best results for California citrus growers.

    “The addition of the breeding facility in Parlier will make the ARS Citrus Program a truly national project,” said CCM President and CEO Casey Creamer. “We look forward to watching the growth of this program and its collaboration with the UC breeding program to find solutions to the issues California citrus growers are faced with every day.”

    Additionally, the 2023 Federal budget includes continued funding for the Citrus Health Response Program, which supplements industry and state funding for on-the-ground efforts aimed at preventing the spread of the HLB and continued funding for the Huanglongbing Multi-Agency Coordination group, which funds research programs aimed at identifying short term solutions to HLB.

    About California Citrus Mutual (CCM)

    CCM is a voluntary, non-profit trade association representing CA citrus growers on the economic, regulatory, and political issues that impact them most.

    About the Citrus Research Board (CRB)

    The CRB administers the California Citrus Research Program, the grower-funded and grower-directed program established in 1968 under the California Marketing Act as the mechanism enabling the State’s citrus producers to sponsor and support needed research. More information about the Citrus Research Board may be found at www.citrusresearch.org.

  • Slight Increase in Assessment Rate for California Citrus Research Program

    Upon the recommendation of the Citrus Research Board (Board), the California Department of Food and Agriculture (Department) has established an assessment rate to be levied on California citrus producers during the 2022-2023 marketing season, which is the period of October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023. The assessment rate for the 2022-2023 marketing season has been set at three and two-tenths cents ($0.032) per 40-pound standard field box, or the equivalent thereof, of all types and varieties of citrus, as defined by the California Citrus Research Program, marketed by producers and received by handlers or processors during the season. The assessment rate for the 2022-2023 marketing season is two-tenths of one cent ($0.002) per standard field box higher than last season’s rate.

    In order to facilitate the collection of assessments, each handler or processor of California citrus is required to remit assessment payments to the Board office on behalf of producers from whom they receive citrus, including their own production. In turn, handlers and processors are authorized to deduct such assessment payments from any money owed to such producers. Assessment forms and additional instructions for reporting and remitting assessments on behalf of producers will be provided to all citrus handlers and processors by the Board office.

    Funds generated by this assessment are used to conduct general production research, a variety improvement research program, a quality assurance program on agricultural chemical residues, pest and disease control functions, and other activities pertinent to the California citrus industry.

    If you have any questions regarding this assessment rate or the activities of the California Citrus Research Program, please contact Marcy Martin, President of the Citrus Research Board, at (559) 738-0246, or Steven Donaldson with the Department’s Marketing Branch at (916) 900-5018. — Joe Monson, Branch Chief CDFA Marketing Branch 

  • Fall CRB Citrus Webinar Series

    The Citrus Research Board (CRB) in coordination with the University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program (UC IPM) is rolling out a new CRB Webinar Series, geared toward citrus growers and industry professionals. 

    The series will kick-off on Tuesday, September 29, 2020, with Dr. Roger Baldwin of UC Davis presenting “Control of Vertebrate Pests in Citrus”. Dr. Roger Baldwin will discuss how to manage vertebrate pests including ground squirrels, pocket gophers, voles and roof rats in citrus orchards. The presentation will cover a variety of IPM management tools including biocontrol, repellents, habitat modification, trapping, rodenticides and burrow fumigants.

    This webinar is currently pending approval for 1-hour of “Other” continuing education units from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR) and 1-hour of “IPM” credits from the Certified Crop Adviser (CCA).

    To qualify for continuing education units, please use the following list of instructions:

    1Register and login separately with your own email address

    2Participate in the entire hour webinar session

    3Respond to the polls/knowledge checks as they come up

    4 (If the polls do not work properly on your device, use chat to submit your answers.)

    5Respond to the final survey at the end of the webinar session – please include your name, license number and email address

    Make sure you mark your calendars for the rest of the talks in the series.

    2020 Webinar Series Schedule

    Tuesday, September 29, 2020 

    Topic: Control of Vertebrate Pests in Citrus 

    Speaker: Roger Baldwin, Ph.D., UC Davis

    Continuing Education Units:  

    1-hour of “Other” from CDPR and

    1-hour of “IPM” from CCA are Pending Approval

    CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR

    DR. BALDWIN’S WEBINAR

    Thursday, October 8, 2020 

    Topic: Asian Citrus Psyllid Detection and IPM Strategies

    Speaker: Monique Rivera, Ph.D., UC Riverside

    Continuing Education Units:  

    CDPR and CCA Hours Pending Approval

    CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR

    DR. RIVERA’S WEBINAR

    Thursday, October 22, 2020

    Topic: Pre-and Post-Harvest Diseases in Citrus

    Speaker: James Adaskaveg, Ph.D., UC Riverside

    Continuing Education Units:  

    CDPR and CCA Hours Pending Approval

    CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR

    DR. ADASKAVEG’S WEBINAR

     

    Wednesday, November 4, 2020

    Topic: Citrus Root Health

    Speaker: Ashraf El-kereamy, Ph.D., UC Riverside

    Continuing Education Units:  

    CDPR and CCA Hours Pending Approval

    CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR

    DR. El-KEREAMY’S WEBINAR

     

    For more information, please contact 

    Petr Kosina, with UC IPM, at pkosina@ucanr.edu