Breeding efforts to develop citrus trees resistant to HLB are well underway. But how long does the process take before trees are available to growers?
Manjul Dutt, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) assistant professor, addresses this question and more in the Citrus Industry section of the October issue of Specialty Crop Grower magazine. His article focuses on the processes of genetic transformation and genome editing using CRISPR and the timeframe to create genetically modified plants.
Citrus under protective screen (CUPS) is proving to be profitable for growers in Florida. Although the system has high establishment costs, research shows it pays off over time and successfully prevents trees from contracting HLB. Growers who have already implemented CUPS or are thinking about building CUPS have a new tool to help them answer their CUPS questions. CUPSchat is an artificial intelligence chatbot developed by UF/IFAS Professor Arnold Schumann that helps users sort through years of CUPS research in an easy-to-use format. Be sure to see the digital edition for a video to learn about how CUPSchat works.
Read more on the success of CUPS in The Buzzz news column. Other October Buzzz stories provide details on the projected strong growth of the global orange juice market and Florida’s newest citrus Extension agent.
Also in the October issue is continuing coverage of the 2025 Citrus Achievement Award winner, Ben Albritton. Watch a video of him discussing the past Florida legislative session and what’s ahead for next year.
Finally, take a trip down memory lane in this month’s Pieces of the Past column. Brenda Eubanks Burnette recalls the history of field crate use in Florida groves.
Specialty Crop Grower magazine is your source for Citrus Industry content. If you aren’t already receiving the magazine, sign up for a digital or print subscription here.
About the Author
Share this Post