The UF/IFAS CUPS project
Research CUPS locations:
Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC)
Indian River Research and Education Center (IRREC)
Funding for CUPS research, 2014 to 2023
USDA-FDACS Specialty Crops Block Grant
UF Citrus Iniatiative
USDA SCRI-CDRE award number 2018-70016-27387
Objectives:
The goal of the project is to develop new technologies to improve sustainable fresh citrus production with CUPS and provide strong data evidence that this approach is an economically viable near-term alternative to grow HLB-free citrus. Specific objectives of this proposal are:
Objective 1: Integrated pest and disease management. Hypothesis: CUPS screen selectively excludes ACP and therefore HLB disease, but allows entry of smaller pests (e.g. thrips, mites, scales), and diseases (e.g. greasy spot, citrus canker), requiring unique integrated pest management (IPM) guidelines and novel tools for management.
Objective 2: Robotic machine vision with artificial intelligence (AI) to improve pest and disease scouting. Hypothesis: Camera-based scouting with artificial intelligence will allow every tree in the CUPS to be frequently examined for pests and diseases, and ensure earliest detection of ACP incursions through doorways.
Objective 3: Scion and rootstock selection for CUPS. Hypothesis: High fruit yields and quality of preferred varieties for the fresh market are most profitable. Dwarfing rootstocks and self-pollinating, heat-tolerant scions are essential for high-density plantings in the pollinator-free, hotter CUPS environment.
Objective 4: Horticultural improvements to maximize premium-grade fresh fruit production in CUPS. Hypothesis: The high cost of the CUPS screen house which is essential to prevent HLB, can be offset by new horticultural advances that will generate revenue with the highest quantity and quality of fruit for the fresh market.
Objective 5: Evaluate the economic feasibility of fresh citrus production using different practices within CUPS under different market conditions in both Florida and California. Hypothesis: The optimal implementation of CUPS will contribute to the profitability and sustainability of fresh citrus production in HLB-affected citrus regions by excluding the ACP while increasing yields and quality of fruit.
Objective 6: Develop decision support guidelines for CUPS. Hypothesis: Industry awareness and education is key for acceptance of CUPS as a solution to citrus production under HLB disease pressure. The extension and outreach program will focus on stakeholder’s training and education and provide guidelines and recommendations for growing citrus undercover.
CUPS in the news: 2018 to 2025
CUPS U-Pick Coming Soon to Alturas (06/05/2025)
Mixon Brothers Join Forces With Citrus Expert Leotti to Expand CUPS Efforts (03/05/2025)
Alternative method to growing citrus overcomes greening disease (02/14/2025)
Video: A day without sunshine (a story about HLB and CUPS, by "Where The Food Comes From"
Video: Introducing Eco-Grown Citrus: Commercial citrus production under protective screens
https://citrusindustry.net/2023/08/14/return-on-investment-potential-of-cups
Seminar on YouTube: HLB-free citrus production for the fresh market using CUPS
https://citrusindustry.net/2023/06/16/new-cups-research-results-reported/
https://citrusindustry.net/2023/05/03/fine-tuning-cups-production-practices/
https://citrusindustry.net/2023/05/15/long-term-research-proves-cups-performance/
https://citrusindustry.net/2022/12/16/cups-can-be-more-profitable-than-conventional-production/
https://citrusindustry.net/2022/12/07/cups-weather-hurricane-ian-well/
https://citrusindustry.net/2022/11/22/managing-pest-and-predatory-mites-in-cups/
https://citrusindustry.net/2022/09/07/dundee-to-double-cups-acreage/
https://citrusindustry.net/2022/09/26/cups-update-from-the-citrus-research-and-education-center/
https://citrusindustry.net/2022/03/04/controlling-mites-in-cups/
https://centralfloridaagnews.com/cups-runneth-over/
https://citrusindustry.net/2021/08/04/dundee-cups-project-awarded/
https://citrusindustry.net/2021/03/10/canopy-management-to-improve-fresh-fruit/
https://citrusindustry.net/2020/11/11/five-years-of-fresh-fruit-production-in-cups/
http://citrusindustry.net/2019/11/01/cups-favorite-varieties-to-grow/
http://www.fox13news.com/news/local-news/growers-test-new-method-to-fight-citrus-greening
https://www.newswise.com/articles/grapefruit-grown-under-protective-screens-maximizes-fruit-yield
https://www.growingproduce.com/citrus/why-growing-grapefruit-under-cover-is-gaining-appeal/
http://citrusindustry.net/2018/08/27/cups-offers-grapefruit-hope/
https://www.freshplaza.com/article/9018792/cups-protects-citrus-from-greening-and-storms/
http://citrusindustry.net/2018/11/26/research-update-citrus-under-protective-screen/
https://www.growingproduce.com/citrus/growing-under-cover-a-big-deal-for-florida-citrus/
http://citrusindustry.net/2018/11/16/grower-optimistic-citrus-under-protective-screen/
Good Varieties for CUPS: http://citrusindustry.net/2018/12/18/good-varieties-for-cups/
CUPS Heat and Cold Considerations: http://citrusindustry.net/2018/12/04/cups-heat-and-cold-considerations/
CUPS field day, November 15, 2018: video produced by PGTV – Polk TV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksxWYM8u_TY
Other links:
CUPS construction company: https://pmcitrus.com/
Florida Classic Growers website: C.U.P.S. (Citrus Under Protective Screen):
Publications:
Pareek, S., Volpe, J. H., Worbington, E. S., Schumann, A. W., Yu, Y., Hurtado, A. D., Grosser, J. W., Gmitter Jr, F. G., & Chater, J. M. (2025). Fruit Bagging Enhances Peel Color and Affects Fruit Quality of Citrus Under Protected Screen-grown Grapefruit-like Hybrid ‘914’. Hortscience, 60(1), 23-27.
Schumann, A., Waldo, L. (2025). Citrus Under Protective Screen (CUPS). Florida Citrus Growers Institute [Hands-on interactive display]. Avon Park, FL: UF/IFAS.
Schumann, A., Waldo, L., Singerman, A., Oswalt, C., Chater, J., Ritenour, M., Qureshi, J., & Krajewski, A. (2025). CUPS research update. Florida Citrus Show [Oral]. Ft. Pierce, FL: UF/IFAS.
Schumann, A., Waldo, L., Mariner, N., & Ebert, T. (2024). 10 years of CUPS research with red grapefruit as a top performer. UF/IFAS OJ Break [oral]. Lake Alfred, FL: UF/IFAS.
Schumann, A., Waldo, L., Mariner, N., Ritenour, M., & Oswalt, C. (2024). Key components of grapefruit affecting pack-out and net fruit revenue in CUPS. Paper presented at the Florida State Horticulture Society Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL.
Schumann, A. W., Singerman, A., Ritenour, M. A., Qureshi, J., & Alferez, F. (2024). 2024–2025 Florida Citrus Production Guide: Citrus under Protective Screen (CUPS) Production Systems. EDIS. Retrieved from doi: https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-hs1304-2023
Cano, L., A, S., Wang, N., & Strauss, S. (2023). Exploring Sustainable Solutions to Reduce Fungal Disease Impact on Florida Citrus Grown in CUPS. Paper presented at the ASHS, Orlando, FL.
Krajewski, A., Ebert, T., Schumann, A., & Waldo, L. (2023). Managing Fruit Splitting in Florida Citrus. EDIS, 2023. Retrieved from doi:10.32473/edis-ss716-2023
Schumann, A. (2023). Citrus Under Protective Screen (CUPS) for HLB Management. ECDRE PD Meeting. Washington, DC.
Schumann, A. (2023). Citrus Under Protective Screen is a profitable solution for fresh market citrus. UF/IFAS Packinghouse Day. Lake Alfred, FL.
Schumann, A. (2023). HLB-free citrus production for the fresh market using CUPS. UF/IFAS citrus seminar. Immokalee, FL.
Schumann, A., Singerman, A., Ritenour, M., Qureshi, J., & Alferez, F. (2023). 2023–2024 Florida Citrus Production Guide: Citrus under Protective Screen (CUPS) Production Systems: CPG ch. 21, HS1304/CMG19, rev. 5/2023. EDIS. Retrieved from doi:10.32473/edis-hs1304-2023
Singerman, A., & Schumann, A. (2023). Return-on-Investment Potential of CUPS. Citrus Industry Magazine, August 2023, 20-22.
Cano, L., Waldo, L., Mungofa, P., Shrestha, A., & Schumann, A. (2022). Enhancing nutrient uptake and grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) growth through soil application of beneficial bacteria species (Bacillus spp.). American Society of Agronomy Annual International Conference [oral presentation].
Ebert, T., Diepenbrock, L., & Schumann, A. (2022). Pesticide degradation rates influenced by growing citrus under a protective screen. FLORIDA ENTOMOLOGY SOCIETY ANNUAL MEETING [poster]. Gainesville, FL: UF/IFAS.
Ebert, T., Schumann, A., & Mungofa, P. (2022). Development of an automated citrus pest scouting module. Paper presented at the Florida State Horticulture Society Annual Meeting, Sarasota, FL.
Ebert, T., Waldo, L., Mungofa, P., Holmes, W., Mariner, N., & Schumann, A. (2022). Using colored mesh bags to induce early color development in fresh market citrus varieties. Paper presented at the Florida State Horticulture Society Annual Meeting, Sarasota, FL.
Krajewski, A., Ebert, T., Schumann, A., & Waldo, L. (2022). Pre-Harvest Fruit Splitting of Citrus. Agronomy, 12(7), 1505.
Schumann, A. (2022). Citrus Under Protective Screen. Southeast Professional Fruit Workers Conference [oral presentation]. Lake Alfred, FL: UF/IFAS.
Schumann, A. (2022). Citrus Under Protective Screen and Jackson Grapefruit field day. UF/IFAS Extension OJ Break. Lake Alfred, FL.
Schumann, A. (2022). The CREC CUPS: 8 years of HLB-free fruit production. Presentation to 30 visitors from the Wonderul Citrus Company and their invited guests [oral presentation]. Lake Alfred, FL: UF/IFAS.
Schumann, A. (2022). Monitoring and Managing Seasonal Demand for Plant Nutrients with Smartphone Apps. Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute Avon Park, FL.
Schumann, A. (2022). A Review of Seven Years of CUPS Research. Florida Citrus Show [oral presentation]. Ft. Pierce, FL: Florida Grower, AgNet Media.
Schumann, A., Waldo, L., Mungofa, P., & Oswalt, C. (2022). A Review of Seven Years of CUPS Research. Citrus Industry Magazine, September 2022, 18-21.
Shrestha, A., Schumann, A., Waldo, L., Mungofa, P., Ebert, T., & Mariner, N. (2022). Citrus peel color and brix content are affected by leaf nutrient concentration in citrus under protective screen production system. Paper presented at the Florida State Horticulture Society Annual Meeting, Sarasota, FL.
Ebert, T., Schumann, A., Mungofa, P., & Waldo, L. (2021). Diagnosis of nutrient deficiencies, pest, and disease disorders on citrus leaves using deep learning machine vision. Paper presented at the FSHS, Daytona, FL.
Ebert, T., Schumann, A., Waldo, L., & Mariner, N. (2021). Developing Neutral Electrolyzed Water for pest management: 2020 update. Paper presented at the FSHS, Daytona, FL.
Ebert, T., Schumann, A., Waldo, L., & Stanton, D. (2021). A Close-up Look at Screens for Excluding Asian Citrus Psyllids: SS702/SL489, 6/2021. EDIS, 2021(3).
Ebert, T., Waldo, L., Stanton, D., & Schumann, A. (2021). Screen Mesh Size for Exclusion of Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae) in Citrus Production. Journal of Economic Entomology, 113(4), 2026-2030. doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toaa095
Krajewski, A., Schumann, A., Ebert, T., Oswalt, C., Ferrarezi, R., & Waldo, L. (2021). Management of Citrus Tree Canopies for Fresh-Fruit Production. EDIS, 2021(1). Retrieved from
Mariner, N., Waldo, L., Ebert, T., & Schumann, A. (2021). Pest population dynamics in Citrus Under Protective Screen production enclosures: Experiences in Lake Alfred, Florida. Paper presented at the FSHS, Daytona, FL.
Schumann, A. (2021). Diagnosing citrus leaf symptoms with artificial intelligence (AI) apps. OJ break [oral]. Lake Alfred, FL: UF/IFAS.
Schumann, A. (2021). Growing Citrus for the Fresh Market in CUPS. SWFREC Citrus Seminar [extension]. Immokalee, FL: UF/IFAS.
Schumann, A. (2021). Using smartphone artificial intelligence apps for leaf symptom diagnosis. Florida Citrus Show [oral]. Ft. Pierce, FL.
Schumann, A., Waldo, L., Mariner, N., & Ebert, T. (2021). Nutrient management to enhance citrus fruit color break and quality at maturity. Paper presented at the FSHS, Daytona, FL.
Schumann, A., Waldo, L., Oswalt, C., Mariner, N., TE, E., Mungofa, P., Shrestha, A., & Cano, L. (2021). A Review of Seven Years of CUPS Research. Citrus Industry Magazine, September 2021, 18-21.
Ebert, T., Waldo, L., Mungofa, P., Holmes, W., Mariner, N., & Schumann, A. (2020). Developing a neutral electrolyzed water treatment for pest management in a citrus under protective screen production system. Paper presented at the FSHS, virtual format.
Ebert, T., Schumann, A., Mungofa, P., & Waldo, L. (2020). Computer Tools for Diagnosing Citrus Leaf Symptoms (Part 2): Smartphone Apps for Expert Diagnosis of Citrus Leaf Symptoms. EDIS, 2020(5). Retrieved from
Schumann, A. (2020). Computer Tools for Diagnosing Citrus Leaf Symptoms (Part 1): Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS). EDIS, 2020(4), 1-2. Retrieved from doi: https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-ss683-2020
Schumann, A., Waldo, L., Mariner, N., & Ebert, T. (2020). Five years of fresh fruit production in CUPS. Citrus Industry, 101, 14-17.
Schumann, A., Waldo, L., Oswalt, C., Mariner, N., TE, E., Mungofa, P., Shrestha, A., & Cano, L. (2020). A Review of Seven Years of CUPS Research. Citrus Industry Magazine, September 2020, 18-21.
Schumann, A., Waldo, L., Mungofa, P., & Oswalt, C. (2020). Computer Tools for Diagnosing Citrus Leaf Symptoms (Part 2): Smartphone Apps for Expert Diagnosis of Citrus Leaf Symptoms. EDIS, 2020(5). Retrieved from
Schumann, A., Waldo, L., Holmes, W., & Hartzog, T. (2020). Hydroponic Citrus: A High Performance Growing System for Fresh Citrus Under Protective Screen (CUPS). Paper presented at the Florida State Horticultural Society annual meeting, Tampa, FL. non-refereed retrieved from
Schumann, A., Waldo, L., Holmes, W., TE, E., Mariner, N., Test, G., & Krajewski, A. (2020). Hydroponically-grown grapefruit maximize HLB-free fresh fruit production in CUPS. Paper presented at the IRCHLB, Riverside, CA.
Ebert, T., Waldo, L., Stanton, D., & Schumann, A. W. (2019). Screen mesh size selection for exclusion of Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae) in citrus production. Paper presented at the Entomology 2019.
Schumann, A. (2019). Choosing fresh citrus varieties for a CUPS production system. Florida Citrus Packinghouse Day. Lake Alfred, FL.
Schumann, A. (2019). Citrus Under Protective Screen (CUPS). CCA. Lake Alfred.
Schumann, A., & Hostler, H. K. (2015, 07/27/15). An Autonomous Electric Farm Vehicle for Large Protected Agriculture Structures. Paper presented at the ASABE International Conference, New Orleans, LA.
Schumann, A., Oswalt, C., Waldo, L., & TE, E. (2019). Citrus Under Protective Screen (CUPS) FIELD DAY. Lake Alfred, FL.
Schumann, A., & Singerman, A. (2019). Citrus under protective screen: grapefruit yield and economics after four years. Florida Citrus Expo. Ft. Myers, FL: Southeast Agnet.
Schumann, A., Singerman, A., & Wang, Y. (2019). Production, consumer preference, and economics of fresh grapefruit grown in CUPS. Citrus Industry, 100, 14-18.
Schumann, A., Waldo, L., Holmes, W., TE, E., Mariner, N., Test, G., & Krajewski, A. (2019). Hydroponically-grown grapefruit maximize HLB-free fresh fruit production in CUPS. Paper presented at the IRCHLB, Riverside, CA.
Schumann, A. W., Ebert, T. E., Waldo, L., Holmes, W., Mariner, N., Test, G., Oswalt, C., Ferrarezi, R. S., & Lesmes, R. (2018, November, 2018). Research update: citrus under protective screen. Citrus Industry, 99, 14-19.
Schumann, A. W., Oswalt, C., Krajewski, A., & Ebert, T. E. (2018). Citrus Under Protective Screen (CUPS) Field Day [extension]. Alturas, FL: UF/IFAS.
Schumann, A. (2018). Artificial Intelligence (AI) for scouting CUPS. Florida Citrus Expo [poster]. Ft. Myers, FL: UF/IFAS.
Schumann, A. (2018). Citrus Under Protective Screen (CUPS) - Update & Post Hurricane Observations. Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute [Grower Extension Seminar]. Avon Park, FL: UF/IFAS.
Schumann, A. (2018). Citrus Under Protective Screen (CUPS). Highlands County Citrus Workshop [extension]. Sebring. FL: UF/IFAS.
Schumann, A. (2018). Ridge CUPS Project - CREC, Lake Alfred. Florida Citrus Expo [PPT presentation]. Ft. Myers, FL: UF/IFAS.
Schumann, A. W., Waldo, L., Mungofa, P., & Oswalt, C. (2018). Citrus Under Protective Screen (CUPS). Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute [Grower Extension Seminar]. Avon Park, FL: UF/IFAS.
Schumann, A. (2017). Artificial Intelligence (AI) for scouting CUPS. Florida Citrus Expo [poster]. Ft. Myers, FL: UF/IFAS.
Schumann, A. (2017). Citrus Undercover Production Systems (CUPS). Florida Citrus Expo [PPT presentation]. Ft. Myers, FL: UF/IFAS.
Schumann, A. (2017). Planning a Citrus Undercover Production System (CUPS). SWFREC Seminar. Immokalee, FL.
Schumann, A. W., & Waldo, L. (2017, July, 2017). Update on citrus undercover production systems research. Citrus Industry, 98, 16-20.
Schumann, A. W., Waldo, L., Ebert, T. E., Holmes, W., Mariner, N., & Test, G. (2018). Citrus Undercover Production Systems (CUPS) - Year 4 Update. Florida Citrus Expo [PPT presentation]. Ft. Myers, FL: UF/IFAS & Southeast Agnet.
Schumann, A. W., & Singerman, A. (2016, January 2016). The economics of citrus undercover production systems and whole tree thermotherapy. Citrus Industry, 97, 14-18.
Schumann, A. W., & Waldo, L. (2016). CUPS Quick Start Guide. In A. W. Schumann (Ed.), Interim Sustainable Solutions for Fresh Citrus Fruit Production in Florida (Vol. 2016, pp. 13). Lake Alfred, FL: UF/IFAS CREC.
Schumann, A. W., & Waldo, L. (2016). CITRUS UNDERCOVER PRODUCTION SYSTEM (CUPS). UF/IFAS Citrus Greening Management. Ft. Pierce, FL: Meister Media, UF/IFAS.
Schumann, A. W., Waldo, L., & Wright, A. (2016, November, 2016). Citrus Undercover Production Systems (CUPS) and Whole Tree Thermotherapy (WTT). Citrus Industry, 97, 8-13.
