Make no mistake about it. My goal for Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) is to eradicate HLB or make it functionally irrelevant, and one way to do this is through the development of greening-tolerant citrus rootstock and scions. In fact, one of the most common questions growers ask in the HLB era is, “What should I plant?”
Three CRDF rootstock trials have helped many growers answer this question. The results from these trials are on the CRDF website, which I recommend if you have not already seen them. You would find them quite educational.
Given the success of these trials, the CRDF board, with the initial encouragement coming from our President David Howard, has decided to conduct more trials of the latest and most promising rootstocks developed by the citrus breeders we fund. The goal is to include up to 20 rootstocks grown on three industry-standard scions: Valencia, Vernia, and Hamlin. These three scions were the top three budded scions in 2019-2020. Hamlin also was selected because, by being particularly susceptible to HLB, it will give the most immediate indication of HLB tolerance in the rootstock. Hamlin also still comprises a huge inventory of fruit-bearing trees in Florida. And if we find a rootstock that can impart enough tolerance to Hamlin, it will provide a tree that produces early season fruit of large quantities and excellent quality.
Want to Host a Trial?
But the focus of these trials is rootstocks, and there are some strong prospects from which to choose. I have visited most of the trial sites of our breeders, and there are reasons to be encouraged. Robust trees with a lot of fruit, few thorns, and very low titer counts lead me to believe we are close to having new and better orange cultivars that can be grown profitably, even when premium prices are not being paid for fruit. In other words, trees that make HLB functionally irrelevant. If you are interested in being a grower-cooperator and hosting one of these trials, please contact us. CRDF will pay for the trees and provide a cost supplement for tree wraps, their installation, and planting costs.
The details of the trials are being developed by the CRDF Select Committee on Plant Improvement, chaired by John Gose. Few growers have more practical knowledge of rootstocks and scions than John, and he will be working with a committee membership comprised of leaders from all facets of the industry.
Overseeing these trials will be CRDF’s Brandon Page, a highly motivated and dedicated employee who understands the last stage of field trials as well as anybody. I am excited about these trials and the work that is to come from the Select Committee. In relatively short order, I am convinced that the members will chart a clear path to making HLB functionally irrelevant through traditional plant breeding.
A Look at Peptides
A second focus for CRDF for the new year in the fight against HLB will be peptides. We all got excited when we read of Dr. Hailing Jin’s work with a peptide from finger lime at University of California, Riverside. Since the announcement, I have had four conference calls with her, trying to determine if there is anything CRDF can do to get to the bottom line of her research as quickly as possible.
But Dr. Jin’s peptide is not the only one showing promise. Several companies in Florida are working with peptides. More to come on this later, but I am convinced that peptides will be part of our solution.
We have some exciting things going on at CRDF. Thanks to growers for the resources to help make this happen.