Field Testing of New HLB-Tolerant Scions and Rootstocks

Abstract

Citrus is Florida’s most important agricultural commodity. The state produces citrus for different markets: round oranges for juice; navels, mandarins grapefruit and lemons for the fresh fruit industry; and lemons for extracting peel oil for processing. Huanglongbing (HLB) affects all citrus varieties, and since the disease discovery, the research continues seeking tolerant citrus selections.

Field variety trials are a simple, but effective tool to test plant horticultural performance under different environmental conditions in an attempt to speed up the commercial adoption of new varieties. Large-scale, rapid implementation of HLB-tolerant selections depends on reliable data, and this project addresses the need of establishing field plantings to generate information of vital importance to growers.

Herein we provide updates on two large initiatives to trial citrus varieties: the UF/IFAS/IRREC Millennium Block at the Indian River District, and three USDA Multi-Agency Coordination (MAC) Group projects across the State of Florida.