Photo by Frank Giles
By Peter Chaires
Each year, citrus breeding and research teams go to great lengths to host variety displays, research reviews, tours and field days. These events not only showcase the collective pursuit of industry needs and priorities, but they afford stakeholders an opportunity to monitor the progress and interact directly with scientists and support staff. This is an investment of time, but it’s essential to facilitate dialogue around these important topics. The event list below is not comprehensive. There will likely be other opportunities throughout the season, but this does highlight some key events that readers may wish to mark on their calendars.
CREC CITRUS VARIETY DISPLAYS
Location: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC), Ben Hill Griffin Auditorium, 700 Experiment Station Road, Lake Alfred, Florida 33850
Dates:
- Oct. 24, 2024, 10:00 a.m.
- Dec. 18, 2024, 1:00 p.m. (immediately after the OJ Break)
- Feb. 13, 2025, 10:00 a.m.
The CREC plant improvement team has a large volume of all citrus types in its inventory but works hard to present a manageable number of selections at these events. Displays lean heavy to the varieties maturing at the time of the display. Grapefruit, pummelos, oranges, orange-like hybrids, mandarin hybrids and acid fruit are included in the displays.
Varieties are typically provided in whole, cut or sectioned form. Oranges, mandarins and hybrids can be peeled, sectioned and sampled. Grapefruit and pummelos are cut into bite-sized pieces. Fruit targeting the processing market are often offered in juice form, either 100% or blended.
Attendees are asked to complete surveys while they make their way through the display. It generally takes 45 minutes to an hour to complete the display experience. Members of the research team are present to answer questions and provide background and additional information about the selections. Industry input gleaned from these events is most useful for the plant improvement team and helps inform release decisions.
WHITMORE FARM FIELD DAY
Location: 23402 USDA Road, Groveland, Florida 34736
Date: Dec. 6, 2024, 10:00 a.m.
The Whitmore Foundation Farm Open House, Research Field Tour and Variety Displayis hosted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) and Citrus Research Foundation. Attendees will be treated to a hayride tour of the farm. The tour will include a new early-orange planting, scion variety development, rootstock trials, the Whitmore rootstock seed-block, a demonstration planting and more.
There have been many improvements to farm infrastructure since last year. Existing research is advancing, and new plantings have gone in the ground. Thanks to support from the state of Florida and the Florida Department of Citrus, the Whitmore Foundation Farm is well-positioned to make significant contributions for years to come.
USDA-ARS researchers will be present during and after the tour to discuss projects and answer questions. After the hayride, there will be citrus and avocado displays for sampling. Feedback from these displays is immensely helpful to the breeding teams. At the conclusion of the event, a free hot lunch is graciously sponsored by Florida Citrus Mutual. RSVPs to Lucy.Torres@FFVA.com are appreciated to facilitate meal planning.
GAINESVILLE CITRUS VARIETY DISPLAY
Location: The Teaching Orchard, 1786 IFAS Research Drive, Gainesville, Florida 32611
Date: Nov. 18, 2024, 10:00 a.m.
The variety display activities will include presentations by researchers on the progress of citrus breeding at the University of Florida, Gainesville teaching orchard. Attendees will have the opportunity to sample mandarin, sweet orange and grapefruit-like breeding selections and to provide feedback on the fruit samples they taste. A tour of breeding field plots and replicated tests will be conducted. At the conclusion of the event, a free lunch will be served. RSVPs to Lucy.Torres@FFVA.com are appreciated to facilitate meal planning.
MILLENNIUM BLOCK FIELD DAY
Location: UF/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center, 2199 South Rock Road, Fort Pierce, Florida 34945
Date: Nov. 7, 2024, 10:00 a.m.
During the Millennium Block Field Day, participants will join a new walk-thru tour of the experimental grove where many varieties show promise with trees that tolerate citrus greening.
The iconic Millennium Block is now one of Florida’s most robust grapefruit trials. It features UF/IFAS and USDA scion and rootstock varieties, some of which are unique combinations exclusive to the Millennium Block. Hosting the tour will be Flavia Zambon, UF/IFAS assistant professor, and Matt Mattia, USDA-ARS geneticist. Together, Zambon and Mattia will guide visitors through the grove’s rows of more than 5,500 trees.
Tour stops will feature high-performing scion and rootstock varieties. Attendees will be provided with printed maps and data to reference onsite and to take with them afterward. Throughout the tour, Zambon will interpret the latest findings and reference data since the grove’s 2019 implementation. Mattia will be available to expand on breeding and genetics of the experimental trees. The two scientists will assist growers and those affiliated with the industry as they uncover the response of new varieties over time and in the era of citrus greening.
Participants will savor fresh fruit from the experimental grove following the walking tour. Zambon expects the taste samples will include the most promising new varieties but will be contingent on fruit maturity.
The 2024 UF/IFAS Millennium Block event is open to all citrus stakeholders. Growers, industry partners, legislators and others involved in the citrus industry are encouraged to attend.
For more information, contact Zambon at f.zambon@ufl.edu or 772-577-7376.
Peter Chaires is the executive director of the New Varieties Development and Management Corp.
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