The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) recently hosted a citrus under protective screen (CUPS) and individual protective covers (IPCs) field day at the Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred. The two approaches have proven effective in excluding the Asian citrus psyllid and HLB disease from trees.
During the event, a panel discussion featured three CUPS growers: Bill Bohde of Dundee Citrus Growers Association, Jerry Mixon of Mixon Family Citrus and Clint Updike of IMG Citrus. They outlined CUPS needs going forward.
MORE VARIETIES
While all three farms are almost exclusively planting grapefruit in CUPS, there is a desire to grow other fresh citrus options.
“We definitely need a mandarin (late and early season), but we don’t need small fruit,” Bohde said. “We don’t need to recreate another Halo or Cutie mandarin. The market is saturated with that fruit. We need something a little larger than that fruit. And we are always on the hunt for a better rootstock, something that preferably would give us Sour Orange quality, but hold the tree size down.”
“All of us in CUPS, which I think is about 2,000 acres in the state currently, realize there is a lifespan to grapefruit,” Mixon said. “We are enjoying grapefruit right now, but there will be a day when we need more. I think a mandarin can fit there, and Florida is known for growing a great navel. Currently, there is nothing that I am aware of in terms of a navel for CUPS. So, yes, a mandarin or navel would be good additions.”
PEST SOLUTIONS
The growers also commented on the pest challenges faced in CUPS. The enclosed environment presents challenges different from growing outside.
“Mealybugs (Lebbeck) and canker have been a challenge,” Updike said. “I believe US-897 rootstock does have an issue with canker, although I don’t know that for a fact. But what I am seeing with it versus a Swingle or C-35, it does seem a little more susceptible. Mealybugs are challenging because we are keeping the good pests on the outside, and it is hard to keep the good pests inside.”
Chilli thrips were also added to the list of pest challenges inside CUPS. The growers continue to collaborate with UF/IFAS researchers to develop pest management practices for CUPS.
CALIFORNIA COMPETITION
When asked if Florida fresh fruit grown under CUPS could compete with California fruit, all agreed that it absolutely could.
“In CUPS, we have no wind scar and better cosmetic appearance. Where we have an advantage over California is better internal fruit quality,” Bohde said. “We have more juice content and better Brix and ratio.”
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