Mongi Zekri
Contact Information
Name: Mongi Zekri
Email: maz@ifas.ufl.edu
Phone: 863 674 4092
Location: Hendry County Extension Office in LaBelle
Counties covered: Charlotte, Glades, Lee, Hendry, Collier
Bio
Originally from Tunisia, North Africa, Mongi Zekri came to the University of Florida in August 1980 to continue his graduate studies. He received his Master of Science and Ph.D. degrees in Horticulture (citrus production and physiology) in 1984 and 1987, respectively. He spent 5.5 years at the University of Florida Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred as a Research Associate working on salinity, plant nutrition, soil fertility, and irrigation of citrus.
For 3.5 years, he had been the Director of Research for Jack M. Berry Company in LaBelle. Dr. Zekri spent one year at the University of Florida Tropical Research and Education Center in Homestead as a Project Manager working on fertilization and irrigation scheduling for tropical fruit crops. Since December 1997, he has been the southwest Florida Multi-County Citrus Agent. He is housed at the Hendry County Extension Office in LaBelle. He provides educational opportunities in citrus culture in the five counties of southwest Florida (Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, and Lee).
Dr. Zekri develops and implements educational programs, and provides technical expertise to commercial citrus growers. He coordinates training in farm safety including pesticide handling and use. He conducts urban citrus programs for master gardeners, homeowners, garden clubs, and other urban groups. He also carries out citrus programs for 4-H groups and students.
Publications
Best Management Practices for Gulf Citrus
Boman, B.J., K.T. Morgan, R.E. Rouse, H. Chamberlain, and M. Zekri. 2006. Best Management Practices for Gulf Citrus. Gulf Citrus BMP Manual. 119 pages. Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Tallahassee, FL.
Citrus greening, Field ID Pocket Guide
Zekri, M., H. Chamberlain, L.W. Timmer, R. Brlansky, and M. Rogers. 2006. Citrus greening, Field ID Pocket Guide, University of Florida, IFAS Extension, Gainesville, 11 cards.
Current status of the citrus industry and budwood program in Florida
Rouse, R.E. and M. Zekri. 2005. Current status of the citrus industry and budwood program in Florida. International Society of Citrus Nurserymen Proceedings (in press).
Don’t let your trees drown
Zekri, M. 2005. Don’t let your trees drown. Florida Grower 98(1):26.
Drowning in weeds
Zekri, M. 2006. Drowning in weeds. Florida Grower 99(2):20.
Feeding frenzy
Zekri, M. 2007. Feeding frenzy. Florida Grower 100(5):30, 32.
Florida citrus nursery industry, budwood program, and current disease situation
Rouse, R.E. and M. Zekri. 2005. Florida citrus nursery industry, budwood program, and current disease situation. Proc. Interamerican Soc. Tropical Hort. 49 (in press).
Important fall practices and concerns in groves
Zekri, M., S.H. Futch, and W.C. Oswalt. 2006. Important fall practices and concerns in groves. Citrus Industry 87(8):41-46.
Leaf and fruit mineral content and peel thickness of 'Hamlin' orange
Morgan, K.T., R.E. Rouse, F.M. Roka, S.H. Futch, and M. Zekri. 2005. Leaf and fruit mineral content and peel thickness of 'Hamlin' orange. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 118:19-21.
Managing salinity in citrus
Boman, J.B., M. Zekri and E. Stover. 2005. Managing salinity in citrus. HortTechnology 15(1):108-113.
Preharvest factors that influence fresh fruit quality
Rouse, R. E. and M. Zekri. 2006. Preharvest factors that influence fresh fruit quality. Chapter 3. In “Fresh Citrus Fruits”, Second Edition (W. F. Wardowski, W. M. Miller, D. J. Hall and W. Grierson, eds.). pp. 49-66.
Reset recommendations
Zekri, M. 2005. Reset recommendations. Florida Grower 98(5):22.
Spring production tips
Futch, S.H., M. Zekri, and W.C. Oswalt. 2006. Spring production tips. Citrus Industry 87(2):12-13, 20
Summer production practices
Futch, S.H., M. Zekri, and W.C. Oswalt. 2006. Summer production practices. Citrus Industry 87(6):24-25.
Top it off
Zekri, M. 2007. Top it off. Florida Grower 100(2):22.
Winter citrus production practices – Cold protection, hedging, and topping
Zekri, M., W.C. Oswalt, and S.H. Futch. 2006. Winter citrus production practices – Cold protection, hedging, and topping. Citrus Industry 87(11) (in review).
Yield, fruit quality, and tree health of 'Allen Eureka' lemon on seven rootstocks in Saudi Arabia
Al-Jaleel, A. M. Zekri and Y. Hammam. 2005. Yield, fruit quality, and tree health of 'Allen Eureka' lemon on seven rootstocks in Saudi Arabia. Scientia Hortic. 105(4): 457-465.
