By Peter Chaires
This fall offers Florida citrus growers several opportunities to see the latest research, evaluate new varieties and connect with researchers in the field. From open houses and variety displays to research tours and field days, these events provide a firsthand look at work that could shape the future of the citrus industry.
IRREC OPEN HOUSE
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Indian River Research and Education Center (IRREC) has tentatively scheduled its fall open house for Oct. 31 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is a great opportunity to learn about IRREC research, Extension and teaching programs. Activities include guided walking tours of laboratories with hands-on activities, interactive workshops and seminars, and a trolley ride and tour of the aquaculture facility.
FINGER LIME FIELD DAY
Manjul Dutt of UF/IFAS will hold his first Finger Lime Field Day in two years, on Nov. 4 in Citra. Watch for more details.
GAINESVILLE CITRUS VARIETY DISPLAY
On Nov. 13 at 10:00 a.m., the UF/IFAS Teaching Orchard in Gainesville will host a citrus variety display. Jose Chaparro and his team will provide research presentations on their citrus breeding program. A primary focus of the updates will be the pursuit of HLB resistance and tolerance using Australian desert lime.
Attendees will have the opportunity to sample mandarin and sweet orange-like selections and provide feedback. Juice samples of new orange-like and juicing mandarins will be provided. There will not be a grove walking tour this year due to extensive grove updates. Lunch will be provided at the end of the event.
RSVP is requested by Nov. 6 to pchaires@nvdmc.org to facilitate meal planning.
SWFREC OPEN HOUSE
The annual UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center open house isn’t limited to citrus, but all the citrus research programs at SWFREC will showcase their work, including a guided tour of the groves. Plan to attend on Nov. 17 in Immokalee. Details will soon be added to the event link.
WHITMORE FOUNDATION FARM OPEN HOUSE
This year’s Whitmore Foundation Farm Open House is scheduled for Nov. 20 at 10:00 a.m. in Groveland. Hosted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) and the Florida Citrus Research Foundation, the event includes a research field tour and variety display. Attendees will be treated to a hayride tour of the farm that includes a new early-orange planting, variety development, rootstock trials, the Whitmore rootstock seed block and more.
There have been many improvements to Whitmore farm infrastructure over the past couple of years. Old research has been removed. New research is advancing, and new plantings have gone in the ground. Ongoing work at the farm and infrastructure improvements were made possible through support from the state of Florida and the Florida Department of Citrus. USDA-ARS researchers will be present during and after the tour to discuss projects and answer questions.
After the hayride, there will be a citrus display and limited avocados for sampling. Feedback from these displays is immensely helpful to the breeding teams. At the conclusion of the event, a hot lunch graciously sponsored by Florida Citrus Mutual will be served.
RSVP is requested by Nov. 10 to pchaires@nvdmc.org to facilitate meal planning.
LAKE ALFRED FRUIT DISPLAY
A fruit variety display is scheduled for Dec. 17 at 1:00 p.m. at the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) in Lake Alfred.Hosted by the Citrus Plant Improvement Team (Fred Gmitter, Jude Grosser, John Chater and Yu Wang), this variety display will feature oranges, orange-like hybrids, grapefruit, grapefruit hybrids and specialty fruit. The team usually prepares juice for sampling. Varieties are shown in whole, cut and/or sectioned forms.
Attendees are requested to complete a survey form while they make their way through the display. The information gathered from the survey helps inform release and other decisions made by the research team. Attendees should budget 45 minutes to an hour to experience the entire display. Researchers will be available for questions and discussion.
MORE EVENTS
Details will be coming soon on these additional citrus events:
Sept. 17, 8:30 a.m. – Tour trial plantings at Jason Griffin Properties near the CREC.
Oct. 7, 8:30 a.m. – Learn the latest at CREC on citrus under protective screen and individual protective covers.
Nov. 5, 8:30 a.m. – Visit UF/IFAS-bred selections including OLL-DC-36 and OLL-DC-40 at the Eagle Lake Block.
Peter Chaires is executive director of the New Varieties Development & Management Corp.
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