Guide 05 / Crop care

Observe.
Record. Respond.

A useful program follows crop stage and measured need. Calendar-only irrigation, fertilizer, and pesticide schedules ignore what the plant and field are saying.

Close the feedback loopMeasure delivery, inspect roots and canopy, record interventions, and compare crop response by block and cultivar.
01 / The annual rhythm
Manage measured need

Steady roots.
Purposeful canopy.

Adjust water and nutrition for rain, soil, plant stage, and crop load. Keep records detailed enough to explain differences among blocks.

H₂O

Water

Maintain even moisture during active growth, flowering, and fruit fill without excluding air from the root zone. Drip limits canopy wetness and enables zoned delivery.

  • Check emitters and pressure
  • Use soil feel or sensors
  • Reduce after heavy rain
NPK

Nutrition

Base amendments on soil, water, leaf analysis, crop load, and local response. Split applications generally reduce loss and avoid salt spikes near shallow roots.

  • Build soil organic matter
  • Track pH and salinity
  • Do not chase lush growth
CUT

Pruning

Separate training cuts from production pruning. Sanitize tools between suspect plants and remove infected tissue from the production area.

  • Keep selected leaders
  • Thin crowded canopy
  • Log disease hot spots
Pollination window

The crop flowers at night.
Your plan starts in daylight.

Map every cultivar and verify whether it is self-fertile, self-compatible, or requires compatible cross-pollen. Labels and online lists are starting points; test fruit set in your own block.

  1. Before bloom Identify buds and prepare clean, dry collection tools.
  2. At anthesis Collect fresh pollen and apply generously to receptive stigmas.
  3. After pollination Label crosses, record weather, and compare fruit set.
Field tipStore pollen only under a validated method. Moisture, heat, and time reduce viability.
Scout, don't guess

Start with the symptom

This triage tool narrows your inspection. It does not replace laboratory diagnosis or local crop-protection advice. Always follow current labels and local law.

Inspect first

Canopy moisture, lesion pattern & tool hygiene

Mark affected plants. Check whether lesions are dry or water-soaked, expanding or static, and linked to wounds. Reduce splash and canopy wetness; disinfect tools. Submit representative tissue for diagnosis before treating a whole block.

Open UF/IFAS pest reference ↗