California Citrus Watching Florida Research Closely
California citrus growers are watching closely as researchers in Florida begin harvesting fruit from one of the country’s largest citrus greening research trials.
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, or UF/IFAS, says harvest is now underway at the “Millennium Block” research grove in Fort Pierce, Florida. According to UF/IFAS, the seven-year project includes roughly 5,000 trees being evaluated for tolerance to HLB, also known as citrus greening disease.
Researchers are studying different citrus variety and rootstock combinations under real-world growing conditions while analyzing fruit quality, yields, sugar levels, acidity, and overall tree health.
While Florida has experienced the most severe commercial impacts from citrus greening, California growers continue monitoring and battling the disease as well. Researchers hope the project will help identify commercially viable citrus trees capable of performing better under disease pressure. UF/IFAS says findings from the project are expected later this year
