There’s been a great deal of effort over the past 15 years or so to develop or identify citrus varieties and rootstocks that have greater tolerance to HLB. That work has resulted in a lot of options to sort through when making selections for planting resets or new blocks. There have been more than 50 cultivars released in recent years.
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) introduced a new Citrus Variety Guide, which appeared in the summer edition of the UF/IFAS Citrus Magazine (see page 21). The guide highlights recently released varieties, offering growers a chance to evaluate new selections that may fit their production goals.
The UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) breeding program dates back to the mid-1980s. Led by breeders Jude Grosser and Fred Gmitter, the program has been at the forefront of variety development and has evolved over time as HLB changed the production landscape in Florida.
FINE-TUNING SELECTIONS
According to UF/IFAS personnel, the guide can help growers identify new selections that align with their production goals. Data from current field trials allows comparisons of new rootstock/scion combinations. This information can be a handy starting point to have conversations with Extension agents, citrus breeders and/or nursery growers.
The information in the variety guide is easy to digest, laying out key attributes of each selection featured. Suggested market fits — processed or fresh fruit production — are provided for varieties.
ONLINE IMPROVEMENTS
In addition to the printed material, UF/IFAS recently launched an improved website featuring a wealth of citrus research and production information. The website includes a new variety section, too.
Michael Rogers, CREC director, recently discussed the newly improved website during the All In For Citrus podcast. These improvements should make information more easily found and relevant for growers.
“We have done a lot in the past year to try to improve the delivery of information to growers,” Rogers said. “On the website, we have the new menu item for cultivars, which I think will be one of the first things growers will want to look at. For the first time on our website, we have a place with information about all the citrus varieties and rootstocks coming out of UF/IFAS.”
Rogers said there will be continuous improvements and updates to the website as feedback from growers comes in and new rootstocks/scions are developed. He encouraged growers to visit the improved website often to see newly updated information.
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