Weeds
Weeds are a persistent problem in citrus production. Florida's warm temperatures and heavy rainfall through much of the year keep conditions favorable for weed growth. Weeds compete with trees for water, nutrients, and light, and many species can harbor insects and plant pathogens that find their way into the crop. Left unmanaged, weed pressure wears down tree vigor and affects yield and fruit quality across all stages of grove development. Staying on top of weeds in citrus takes consistent effort through the season and over the life of the grove. At any stage of development, trees can be set back by heavy weed competition, and gaps in a weed management program tend to compound quickly. Most commercial groves rely on a combination of herbicides, mechanical control, and cultural practices to keep weeds in check. Herbicides are the go-to tool for most operations, though getting the most out of them depends on knowing what species you are dealing with. The weeds covered here are the ones most commonly found in Florida citrus groves, organized by botanical class to help with identification.
Classification
Citrus weeds are organized into three botanical classes, and the distinction matters for weed management. Herbicide options and how well they work vary significantly between classes, so knowing what you have is usually the first question to answer before making a control decision.
- Grasses: Narrow, parallel-veined leaves with round or flattened hollow stems. Seed heads range from finger-like spikes to large open panicles. Many grasses spread by seed and rhizomes, which makes them hard to clear once they are in. Several selective grass herbicides are registered for use in citrus.
- Sedges: Look like grasses but have triangular stems in cross section; the saying is sedges have edges. Nutsedge is the main concern in citrus. It spreads through underground tubers that survive most standard herbicide programs and keep coming back season after season.
- Broadleaf Weeds: The most varied group, covering vines, upright plants, and woody shrubs with net-veined leaves. Growth habits and herbicide susceptibility vary widely within this class. Some species grow fast enough to cover young trees if weed control slips.
Management
- Commercial grove weed management practices are reviewed and updated in the Florida Citrus Production Guide: Weeds, which covers registered herbicides, application timing, and integrated management strategies for Florida citrus production.
- The Quick Reference Guide to Postemergence Herbicides for Citrus Weed Control is available as a downloadable PDF and provides a concise summary of registered postemergence herbicide options, including modes of action, target weed spectrum, and application guidelines.
- The Quick Reference Guide to Preemergence/Residual Herbicides for Citrus Weed Control is available as a downloadable PDF and covers soil-applied herbicide options and guidance for managing weed emergence and establishment.
