Use of Cover Crops in Florida’s Citrus Industry: History and Resurgence, Current Practices, Challenges, and Opportunities

Abstract

Cover crops have a long and significant history in Florida’s citrus industry. During the late 1800s and early 1900s, they were widely used to enhance soil quality, boost fertility, and manage pests; therefore, they served as a critical agricultural tool before the widespread adoption of synthetic fertilizers. However, during the middle of the 20th century, a decline in the use of cover crops occurred as synthetic fertilizers and chemical pest control methods became more prevalent. Despite this decline, a resurgence of interest in cover crops has occurred among Florida’s citrus growers. This renewed interest is driven by the urgent need to increase soil fertility while reducing inputs, particularly in the context of managing citrus groves affected by citrus greening [huanglongbing (HLB)], which is a devastating disease that threatens the viability of the citrus industry. Citrus greening has created a growing interest in the use of management practices that can help mitigate the increasing cost of inputs needed to manage the disease. This literature review delves into the historical use of cover crops in Florida’s citrus industry and highlights their early adoption and subsequent decline. Additionally, it examines current cover crop management practices and focuses on key components such as seed selection, planting techniques, and termination methods. Finally, this review discusses the challenges and limitations associated with integrating cover crops into modern citrus production systems.