The prevailing conversation with Florida’s citrus industry this past spring seemed to center around field trials. Clearly, the breeding programs have successfully filled the pipeline with selections with potential utility for fresh, processed, and dual-purpose applications. Some folks are questioning whether sufficient trials exist to collect, compile, and disseminate data to support planting decisions for processed growers.
On the fresh side of the equation, there is some agreement that the UF/IFAS FAST TRACK, and similar programs designed to move promising material to interested growers and nurseries early in the process, have value and should continue. However, FAST TRACK has not yielded the level and quality of data that was originally hoped. Perhaps the model needs tweaking, and an additional trial component would fulfill this need. However, while the industry hammers out these issues, growers can still gain experience with new selections through trial opportunities at whatever scale matches their risk tolerance.
This month, we will explore a couple fresh opportunities that have been largely missed by the industry.
‘Marathon’ Mandarin
The ‘Marathon’ mandarin was the latest release into the improved FAST TRACK model. This variety is a cross between ‘Daisy’ mandarin and ‘Makaku Kishu’. It’s an easy peel selection that is seedless in all circumstances. The fruit shape is much like a Honey tangerine, but it generally colors more uniformly.
Perhaps the ‘Marathon’ mandarin’s most attractive feature is that it matures very early (August in some years; September might be a more realistic expectation) but holds well on the tree. Brix start at about 12.5 and go up into the 17 range at the end of the harvest window. Indications are the fruit remains marketable through December and into January.
Beyond its flavor, another appealing attribute for ‘Marathon’ is its seedless nature.
Photo courtesy of UF/IFAS
‘Marathon’ can be degreened if necessary and can usually be picked without clipping. Early postharvest work indicates good shelf life. It is HLB susceptible but does not appear to be overly sensitive. UF/IFAS is working on methods to optimize flowering and fruit set on young trees, and grower trials may contribute to this process.
The fact that the new FAST TRACK has no registration deadline seems to have resulted in an “I’ll get to it sometime” approach to registrations. Only about a dozen growers registered since the press release and grower meetings announcing its availability. This is certainly a variety worthy of more widespread trial. The new model permits growers to perform trials of whatever scale they choose, with the option to venture into commercial applications if they like the results.
Interested growers can contact the New Varieties Development and Management Corp. (NVDMC) office at 321-214-5214 or Lucy.Torres@ffva.com for registration information and grower agreements. Roughly 10 nurseries have budwood, and new nurseries can be added at any time.
USDA Mid-Season Low-Seeded Tangerine
Those who attended the past few USDA-ARS December Field Days at the Whitmore Foundation Farm near Leesburg have had the pleasure to follow the 1-42-65. This ‘Fortune’ x ‘Encore’ cross has a harvest window of December to January. It peels easy, doesn’t plug much, and has great internal and external color as well as exceptional flavor. So far, HLB susceptibility appears to be middle of the road. It’s not highly susceptible, but not on the high-tolerance range either. This may be a good candidate for advanced nutrition programs.
Growers in the Northern production areas have inquired about cold susceptibility, and this is really not known. Fruit size typically ranges from 150 to 210. Size is typical of many of the easy peelers in the market today. The 1-42-65 has a lot going for it, but it is seedy. Due to its popularity, USDA irradiated budwood and, with industry input, moved one of the resulting low-seeded selections forward. To avoid compromising the patentability of the low-seeded selection, photos have not been included.
Two nurseries have been increasing budwood for grower trials. Growers interested in the fresh market would be well served to give this one a try. Agreements are available through NVDMC and trees will be propagated to order (contact the NVDMC office). At this time, only a handful of growers have registered. As with ‘Marathon’, this variety merits attention.
Don’t Let FAST TRACK Pass You By
Please remember, any of the FAST TRACK selections from previously released suites that have moved to commercial production are available to any interested nursery and grower. Those who are not in the Tier II Commercial program can register as a Tier III grower and plant trials or commercial acreage. As with all new selections, there is a learning curve. It is hoped your plantings will help identify best practices when it comes to nutrition, canopy management, cropping, and harvesting. Varieties from earlier collections that are available include: RBB 7-34 (Navel-like hybrid), 914 (sweet, low-acid, seedless red grapefruit-like fruit), 950 (December easy peel, seedless mandarin), ‘UF Glow’ (October to November easy peel seedless mandarin), and ‘Bingo’ (October to November easy peel seedless mandarin). Contact the NVDMC office for more information.
Orange Appeal
If you are interested in UF/IFAS sweet orange releases, visit the Florida Foundation Seed Producers website. This site identifies released UF/IFAS orange cultivars made available for trial and scalable commercial plantings. The site also lists the nurseries that carry each cultivar. Growers waiting on large-scale field trial data can still benefit from first-hand experience growing these varieties.
Oranges are available with maturities ranging from December to June. Though targeted at processing, packers and fresh-market growers are encouraged to plant these in their trial blocks. Fresh market growers can learn a great deal from 20 or 30 trees. Consult with your nursery and get some trees in the ground.