2026–2027 Florida Citrus Production Guide: Chemical Guide Introduction

Starting in 2026, the Florida Citrus Production Guide will be available as two separate booklets. The first booklet will provide information that does not change frequently such as personal protective equipment (PPE) guidelines and the biology of many of the insects, diseases, and horticultural practices that are part of citrus production. The first booklet will be updated every 3 years. The second booklet will be printed annually and include any pertinent updates to legislation that impacts Florida citrus production and all pesticide and PGR tables that were previously incorporated into each chapter. This document will be amended online should changes occur between printing. This allows for rapid updates to incorporate new knowledge.

One such regulatory change that is still evolving is related to the Endangered Species Protection Act. Some labels now, and many more in the future, will have language about compliance that is different from traditional label language. A definitive list of products is not yet available because some of the regulations are still being finalized, while others are already on products. To stay up to date with these changes, contact your local county Extension office, specialist, or the UF/IFAS Pesticide Information Office. For now, there are several resources that should be helpful:

Pesticide Information Office website: https://pested.ifas.ufl.edu/

EPA Endangered Species website: https://www.epa.gov/endangered-species

EPA Mitigation Menu (this website has PALM, which is a guided method of ensuring compliance): https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/mitigation-menu

Bulletins Live! Two: https://www.epa.gov/endangered-species/bulletins-live-two-view-bulletins

UF/IFAS blog post about PULAs: https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/pesticideinformation/2023/11/16/do-you-know-where-to-find-a-pula/

All of these changes ONLY apply if your label has language directing you to these resources. If your label has a “Runoff/Erosion Mitigation” section AND requires mitigation points, use the PALM to ensure you comply. If your label has language in the “Drift Management” portion that mentions ecological buffers AND tells you to use the mitigation menu to reduce it, use the PALM to ensure you comply. Finally, if your product mentions checking for any Bulletins related to endangered species, you must check on Bulletins Live! Two and see if you are in a PULA. Continue to check with UF/IFAS Extension as there will be workshops, trainings, and more resources around this subject.

This is the second booklet. In this text, you will find all chemistries that are recommended by the UF/IFAS citrus research team for various management purposes as well as a list of chemistries that are registered for use in Florida citrus.

Overall, the goal of the Florida Citrus Production Guide is to serve as a reference for information needed to guide decision-making in Florida citrus-growing operations. It is not intended to replace agricultural product labels that contain important usage information and should be immediately accessible for reference. Violations of directions for use printed on the label are against state and federal laws. Always read and follow label instructions! The Florida Citrus Production Guide provides general guidance and is NOT the final regulatory document that should be followed!

For specific information on pest identification, biology, damage, or nonchemical management techniques, refer to Ask IFAS/EDIS and other UF/IFAS, USDA, and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) publications. In addition to the authors listed throughout the Florida Citrus Production Guide, the citrus Extension specialists, faculty, and Extension agents listed below can provide assistance with citrus production practices.

UF/IFAS Research and Education Centers

UF/IFAS Extension Agents — Citrus

Ms. Alissa Hevesh

Extension Agent I, Highlands County, Agriculture and Natural Resources

UF/IFAS Extension Highlands County

4509 George Boulevard

Sebring, FL 33875

(863) 402-6540

Email: ahevesh@ufl.edu

Dr. Edwin Gutierrez Rodriguez

Extension Agent II, Multi-County, Citrus

DeSoto, Hardee, and Manatee Counties

UF/IFAS Extension DeSoto County

2150 NE Roan Street

Arcadia, FL 34266

(863) 473-4747

Email: edwingr@ufl.edu

Ms. Madelyn Greathouse

Extension Agent I, Multi-County, Commercial Horticulture

Sumter and Pasco Counties

UF/IFAS Extension Sumter County

7620 SR 41 Suite 2

Bushnell, FL 33513

(352) 569-6872

Email: mgreathouse@ufl.edu

T.B.D.

Extension Agent, Multi-County, Citrus

Hillsborough and Polk Counties

UF/IFAS Extension Polk County

PO Box 9005, Drawer HS03

Bartow, FL 33831-9005

Dr. Amir Rezazadeh

Extension Agent II, Multi-County, Fruit/Field Crops

UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie and Indian River Counties

8400 Picos Road, Suite 101

Ft. Pierce, FL 34945

(772) 462-1660

Email: amir2558@ufl.edu

Mr. Matt T. Smith

Extension Agent II, Multi-County, Commercial Crop Production & Food Systems

UF/IFAS Extension Lake and Orange Counties

1951 Woodlea Road

Tavares, FL 32778

(352) 343-4101

Email: smith197@ufl.edu

Mrs. Danielle Williams

Extension Agent II, Multi-County, Commercial Horticulture

UF/IFAS Extension Gadsden County

2140 W. Jefferson Street

Quincy, FL 32351

(850) 875-7255

Email: dsprague@ufl.edu

Dr. Mongi Zekri

Extension Agent IV, Multi-County, Citrus

UF/IFAS Extension Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, and Lee Counties

PO Box 68

LaBelle, FL 33975-0068

(863) 674-4092

Email: maz@ufl.edu

UF/IFAS Pesticide Information Office

7922 NW 71^st Street

Gainesville, FL 32615

(352) 392-4721

Dr. Brett Wells Bultemeier, Associate Extension Professor and Director