**1. Citrus Production Overview:**
– History dating back to 4,000 BC in Southeast Asia.
– Spread to northern Africa during the Roman Empire, reaching Europe in the Middle Ages.
– Brought to the Americas by Spanish explorers in the 20th century.
– Global citrus production in 2020 was 144 million metric tons.
– Top producers include Brazil, China, India, EU, USA, Mexico, and Egypt.
– Citrus is the largest fruit trade in financial value.
– 79% of production in the Northern Hemisphere.
– Florida leads in orange juice and grapefruit production in the US.
**2. Citrus Diseases and Challenges:**
– Citrus canker caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis affects citrus trees.
– Outbreaks in Australia, Brazil, and the US impact production.
– Citrus greening disease (Huanglongbing) is severe in Florida.
– Spread through the Asian citrus psyllid affecting all Florida growers.
– Citrus grove productivity strategies to combat Huanglongbing.
– Nutritional deficiencies like boron, copper, iron, and manganese impact fruit quality.
**3. Citrus Nutrition and Care:**
– Main macronutrients for citrus include nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur.
– Micronutrients like boron, copper, iron, and manganese are crucial for enzymatic functions.
– Foliar and soil fertilizers used to combat citrus greening.
– Vector control of psyllid crucial for preventing citrus greening spread.
– Care-taking strategies to maintain productivity and combat Huanglongbing.
**4. Citrus Industry Management:**
– Insecticide resistance in Asian citrus psyllid and other pests.
– Climate change impacts on citrus growth.
– Labor shortages affecting citrus harvesting.
– Solutions include integrated pest management, resistant varieties, and precision agriculture.
– Market trends include rising demand for organic products and growth in exports.
**5. Citrus Industry Innovations and Sustainability:**
– Development of new cultivation techniques and automated harvesting machines.
– Use of blockchain for traceability and drones for crop monitoring.
– Research on gene editing for improved traits.
– Sustainability efforts include water conservation, eco-friendly pest control, and recycling waste.
– Collaboration with environmental organizations for sustainable farming practices.
Citrus production encompasses the production of citrus fruit, which are the highest-value fruit crop in terms of international trade. There are two main markets for citrus fruit:
- The fresh fruit market
- The processed citrus fruits market (mainly orange juice)
Oranges account for the majority of citrus production but the industry also sees significant quantities of grapefruits, pomeloes, lemons, and limes.