Demonstrations and Presentations on the Following Topics:
- AI-enabled Precision Ag Technologies
- Citrus Rejuvenation
- Citrus under Protective Screen (CUPS)
- Cover Crop and Compost Application
- Individual Protective Covers (ICPS)
- Weed Management
Agenda
Agenda:
April 30, 2026
8:00 am - Welcome
Welcome and Registration
8:30 am - 11:00 am - Demonstrations and Presentations - SWFREC Grove
Evaluation of pest and disease suppression from plant protection products in citrus.
Dr. Jawwad Qureshi, Associate Professor, Entomology
This presentation will focus on the evaluation of trunk-injected treatments of single and mixed products for managing ACP and HLB, and spray treatments for managing mealybugs in IPCs.
The “Ditch effect’ and opportunities for reducing yield variability
Dr. Sanjay Shukla, Professor, Water Resources Engineering
Discuss the effects of ditch network and drainage on yield and its applicability for citrus. Also discuss the disease control (e.g. phytophthora) aspect of drainage management.
Protecting young citrus trees against HLB
Dr. Fernando Alferez, Associate Professor, Citrus Horticulture
Presentation on the work being done in CUPS and IPCs to exclude citrus psyllids, and new ways to use IPCs. These will include combined use with plant growth regulators such as brassinosteroids.
Using cover crops and compost to support soil health and microbes
Dr. Emma Dawson, Post-Doctoral Researcher, Soil Microbiology
Dr. Dawson will discuss some of the logistics of planting cover crops and applying compost in groves (when and what to plant, etc.) and how these practices can provide weed suppression and impact soil health and microbes.
Trunk Injection, OTC Alternatives, and SAR Inducer Spray Trials
Dr. Ozgur Batuman, Associate Professor, Citrus Pathology
Discuss the successful use of copper and OTC alternatives and SAR inducers. Show that when rotating different pesticides for HLB and canker control in the field, we will reduce the reliance on OTC and copper and delay bacterial resistance development. Showcase trunk injection and OTC + SAR inducers spray trials.
Weed Management in Citrus Production
Dr. Ramdas Kanissery, Associate Professor, Weed Science
This field demonstration will show how different pre-emergence (residual) herbicides perform in citrus tree rows over the long term.
Equipment demo by Ohio Valley Imports LLC, U.S. distributor for Caffini Spraying Equipment
Featuring a high-pressure water weeding system for orchard use.
11:00 am - 11:15 am - Break
Travel back to auditorium and break
11:15 am - 1:30 pm - Demonstrations and Presentations - SWFREC Auditorium
Food Safety Updates
Dr. Stephanie Brown, State Specialized Agent, Food Science
Get hands on experience with cleaning and sanitizing verification activities.
AI-Enabled Technologies for Precision Citrus Management
Dr. Yiannis Ampatzidis, Professor, Precision Agriculture
This talk presents cutting-edge AI-driven technologies transforming precision citrus management, with a focus on platforms such as Agroview, Agrosense, and advanced variable-rate spraying systems. Attendees will gain insights into how these tools integrate remote sensing, machine vision, and data analytics to enable real-time decision-making and site-specific crop management. The presentation will highlight practical field applications, system deployment strategies, and lessons learned from real-world implementations. Emphasis will also be placed on how these innovations address critical challenges in citrus production, including plant stress detection, resource optimization, and labor efficiency, ultimately contributing to more sustainable and resilient production systems.
Trunk Injection, OTC Alternatives, and SAR Inducer Spray Trials
Dr. Ozgur Batuman, Associate Professor, Citrus Pathology
Show graphs of copper alternatives and to confirm SARs as viable copper alternatives.
Water-related environmental services from working agricultural lands
Dr. Sanjay Shukla, Professor, Water Resources Engineering
Summarize results from a payment for environmental services on ranchlands and discuss opportunities for flatwoods citrus.
Evaluation of pest and disease suppression from plant protection products in citrus
Dr. Jawwad Qureshi, Associate Professor, Entomology
This presentation will focus on results from the evaluation of trunk-injected treatments of single and mixed products for managing ACP and HLB, and spray treatments for managing mealybugs in IPCs.
12:00 pm - Lunch Break
Thanks to our Sponsors! Valent USA and Ohio Valley Imports LLC (John Staker)
1:30 pm - Adjourn
Questions and Suggestions
