Grant Information
| Knowledge Area | Subject of Investigation | Field of Science | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 205 - Plant Management Systems | 999 - Citrus, general/other | 1060 - Biology (whole systems) | 100% |
Hurricane Ian hit most citrus groves in Florida with high windspeeds and flooded many. Dropped fruit and lost foliage from the canopies were immediately apparent, but previous experience suggests that recovery will lag, with continued leaf and fruit drop over the coming months. Field measurements suggest that branch strain probably induced hydraulic failure, and rootzone flooding will also limit water uptake from the soil. Grower practices that are expected to improve recovery, but the impacts have not been tested in this context, and growers need timely information to improve recovery, as well as recommendations to plan production systems that are more resilient to future storms. These practices include particle films, individual protective covers, and irrigation to reduce stress, and gibberellic acid to enhance new leaf production, as well as grove layout and windbreaks to reduce damage from future storms. Therefore, we aim to assess and inform growers of post-hurricane recovery strategies to improve the resilience of the citrus production industry in hurricane-prone regions. Specifically, we will:1. Communicate regularly with citrus growers to inform them of the status of citrus tree recovery and the efficacy of mitigation practices.2. Assess tree health response to damage and recovery from the impacts of high winds and flooding caused by Hurricane Ian across the gradient of impact intensity.3. Assess the effects of horticultural practices to enhance recovery and mitigate damage.Achieving our objectives will make the Florida citrus industry more severe-weather resilient, and contribute knowledge to similar impacts in other crops and regions.
Assess and inform growers of post-hurricane recovery strategies to improve the resilience of the citrus production industry in hurricane-prone regions.
Survey of impacts and recoveryUp-to-date communication with growersWe have already begun to develop a list of collaborating growers who will receive regular, direct communications. In addition to direct communications, an e-mail list has been produced and each month a report will be sent to inform growers of how tree recovery has progressed and any results of specific practices that have been observed. In addition to the report blog updates (www.treephysiologylab.org), social media posts, articles in Citrus Industry Magazine, and discussions on the All in for Citrus podcast will make the information widely available to all growers and stakeholders.Assess tree health response to damage and recoverySelection of grovesWe will continue to identify willing grower collaborators. Currently six grower groups (individuals or cooperative companies), offering multiple locations each, are already involved and can provide letters of support if needed. These sites cover a swath of the impacted area and experienced winds ranging from 75-130 mph. We will expand this to include 20-30 growers total, depending on availability, including groves the experienced only tropical-storm-force winds (
Target Audience
The target audience of this project includes citrus producers in Hurricane prone regions (Floria, Texas, Puerto Rico), though most specifically focused on Florida because of the effects of Hurrican Ian. It also includes agricultural scientist and plant physiologists working in forest and agricultural systems that include trees that are prone to high wind exposure.
Changes / Problems
Although we have made good progress lab analysis and writing have been slower than anticipated.
Training & Professional Development
Nothing Reported
Dissemination Streams
As mentioned above: and e-mail listserv, a podcast, and an industry magazine.
Next Reporting Steps
We are in the process of performing lab assays, and analyzing results and will compose a peer-reviewed and an extension manuscript.
Target Audience
Our target audience is the citrus industry and the academic community studying the effects of hurricanes and other high wind events. We have published several trade journal articles and given webinar presentations. Two manuscripts for peer review are being prepared for submission.
Changes / Problems
Nothing Reported
Training & Professional Development
Nothing Reported
Dissemination Streams
Described above.
Next Reporting Steps
Nothing Reported
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<br>What was accomplished under these goals? 1. Monthly e-mails were sent to grower list. Additionally we gave several presentations, including a wedbinar after Hurricane Milton attended by more that 70 growers. 2. Large scale study was completed. 2 Peer-reviewed publications expected, and formed the basis of the submitted papers. One is under review, and the other will be submitted after publication of the first. 3. Also completed, and presented in objective 1. In general: applications of GA beforehand make trees more resilient, applications of NAA after reduce fruit drop, applications of particle films during subsequent dry periods reduce harm from combined hurricane damage and drought effects. <br><br><b>Publications</b><br>
Target Audience
The target audience of this project includes citrus producers in Hurricane prone regions (Floria, Texas, Puerto Rico), though most specifically focused on Florida because of the effects of Hurrican Ian. It also includes agricultural scientist and plant physiologists working in forest and agricultural systems that include trees that are prone to high wind exposure.
Changes / Problems
Although we have made good progress lab analysis and writing have been slower than anticipated.
Training & Professional Development
Nothing Reported
Dissemination Streams
As mentioned above: and e-mail listserv, a podcast, and an industry magazine.
Next Reporting Steps
We are in the process of performing lab assays, and analyzing results and will compose a peer-reviewed and an extension manuscript. <br><br>
<br>What was accomplished under these goals? 1. We communicated Monthly with a list of growers, beginning 3 months after the project started. We also participated in the All In for Citrus Podcast (2 appearances) and wrote two articles for Citrus Industry Magazine. 2. We assessed health in the field, collecting more than 10,000 samples between January-September 2023. Samples are still under analysis and lab assays are in process. 3. We assessed plant health responses in several PGR studies, and found that Gibberellic acid treatment before the storm helped retain canopy when trees were exposed to Category 1 winds, but not when they were exposed to Category 3. <br><br><b>Publications</b><br>