Photo by Peter Chaires
By Peter Chaires
Florida’s citrus industry is well supported by two phenomenal research institutions: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS). UF/IFAS provides research and Extension support from its main campus in Gainesville, as well as from its research and education centers and county Extension offices across the state.
The USDA-ARS U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory in Fort Pierce provides a range of laboratory and field-based programs, including at the A.H. Whitmore Foundation Farm near Groveland.
Both research entities have a deep history of ground-breaking basic and applied research contributions in entomology, citrus breeding and genetics, soil science, plant pathology, plant physiology, post-harvest evaluation, agricultural engineering and more. Each organization stands tall on its own merits, but despite a natural competitive nature, there has been a history of collaboration and cooperation.
COLLABORATION IS KEY
Citrus is a large industry but a small community. The scientists know each other well, and some of the relationships predate current appointments. Projects, manuscripts and publications sometimes include UF/IFAS and USDA-ARS researchers. Occasional amalgamation of talent and experience is helpful, but it is insufficient in the presence of today’s challenges. We need more.
Thankfully, two decades combating HLB appear to have created a greater synergy between USDA-ARS and UF/IFAS. Although competition drives free enterprise, it can be unproductive and wasteful in the presence of a devastating disease. It is essential that we minimize overlap and enjoin complementary talents and skills to make the most of every dollar and hour we can expend in this herculean effort to not only survive but rebuild.
SHINING EXAMPLES
Such a spirit of increased collaboration and a unified front does not happen by accident. Scientists, faculty, farm management and staff are instrumental in this process, but so is leadership. Laboratory and center directors, area offices, department chairs, deans and senior administration all factor into this effort. We are witnessing a new spirit of cooperation. Here are a few examples:
- Flavia Zambon, UF/IFAS assistant professor, and Matt Mattia, USDA-ARS plant geneticist, combined efforts to host the Millennium Block Field Day in November. The block is a large-scale evaluation of the HLB tolerance of various rootstock/scion combinations, with an emphasis on grapefruit.
- USDA-ARS and UF/IFAS shared time on the agenda at the Cold-Hardy Citrus Field Day at the UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center in October. Coming together to support the needs of this emerging production area is critical to help those growers develop sound production programs.
- UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center’s Plant Improvement Team and the USDA-ARS breeding program have worked cooperatively on recent Citrus Research and Development Foundation-funded projects to establish various field trials evaluating new varieties and rootstocks.
- Mark Ritenour, UF/IFAS professor, extended his post-harvest analysis work to include material from USDA-ARS. This work is critical to the needs of the fresh fruit segment. Having selections evaluated in the same system, using common methodologies, is valuable to industry.
- Most recently, when Hurricane Milton necessitated the cancellation of the much-anticipated December open house and field day at the A.H. Whitmore Foundation Farm, the Indian River Research and Education Center offered to include USDA-ARS citrus and avocado selections in a fruit display at the center’s open house on Dec. 7. Much of this material would soon pass its maturity window, and this provided USDA-ARS with an opportunity to gain valuable feedback that will help inform its breeding efforts.
- Both institutions cooperated with Coca-Cola in private field trials to objectively evaluate the most promising orange-like hybrids in a typical production system. The results of this effort were reported at a recent meeting of the Citrus Research and Development Foundation Plant Improvement Committee. Promising selections have now been promoted to a short list, and more extensive trials are in the works. This is all very positive for industry.
HLB seems to fuel crisis at every turn. Having research teams rowing the same boat in the same direction will enhance the effectiveness of all programs. Stakeholders will be the beneficiaries.
Peter Chaires is executive director of the New Varieties Development and Management Corporation.
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