By Peter Chaires
Florida breeding programs have been largely focused on the juice stream in recent years. And for good reasons. Retaining the remaining processing capacity and infrastructure is of paramount importance to support Florida’s orange juice industry.
Numerous sweet oranges have been released in hopes of achieving incremental improvements in HLB tolerance while improving juice quality. Likewise, there has been a lot of work developing orange-like hybrids that are organoleptically similar to oranges and have the capability of feeding the juice stream. Mandarins that blend well with oranges, demonstrate HLB tolerance, are capable of being processed, have firmness to withstand transport and provide a source of color and solids are also in various stages of the pipeline. While each of these is likely to also supply and support packinghouses, the fresh segment is beginning to identify some varietal needs of its own.
Subtropical conditions are not an ideal growing environment for navel oranges. Despite this fact, navels were a historically significant part of Florida’s fresh packing segment. They were seedless, sort of peelable, flavorful, reasonably attractive and had marketable size. Perhaps most importantly, they were very popular with Northerners. They were a critical part of the early and mid-season offering. Following navels, Temple tangors were marketable as “peelable oranges,” until consumers grew intolerant of the high seed counts. Both of these were packed alongside round oranges that were primarily developed with the juice market in mind.
Navel oranges have struggled mightily in recent decades. Uncharacteristically wet and hot bloom periods, followed by warmer falls, played havoc with fruit set and fruit quality. Many navel blocks appear to the naked eye to be handling HLB rather well. There are fewer visible symptoms on the tree than most round oranges, and the canopies are often thicker and healthier in appearance. However, fruit set is even lower than historic levels, and fruit quality is often poor.
Some growers report improvements from injection treatments, but results are variable. This leaves packers with Hamlins, Parson Browns, Vernia and a smattering of Mid-Sweets, Pineapples and Early Gold to supply the early and mid-season markets until Valencias and OLLs are harvested.
Why is this potentially significant? Read the rest of the article and watch a video with Citrus Nursery Source author Peter Chaires here.
Share this Post