Evaluation of citrus rootstock response to HLB in large-scale existing field trials

Evaluation of citrus rootstock response to HLB in large-scale existing field trials

Report Date: 07/02/2019
Project: 18-029C   Year: 2019
Category: Plant Improvement
Author: Ute Albrecht
Sponsor: Citrus Research and Development Foundation

During the second quarter of 2019, we continued our horticultural assessments according to the objectives outlined in the proposal. In April 2019, we collected fruit samples from the Valencia trees at both the Lake Wales and the Basinger location. Because of the high cost, only fruit on all rootstocks that were fully replicated were analyzed for the following quality parameters: fruit weight, % juice, % solids, % acid, brix/acid ratio, and juice color. Fruit quality analyses were conducted at the CREC Processing Pilot Plant. Fruits were harvested in both locations shortly thereafter and yield data were collected from trees on all rootstocks, even if not fully replicated, as they may provide important information to the breeders.At the Basinger location, the average yield across all trees and rootstocks was 33 lbs. fruit/tree for Valencia and 13.6 lbs. fruit/tree for Hamlin. Hamlin yields were low because of citrus canker, which spread through this grove after hurricane Irma and caused many fruits to drop. Although adjacent to the Hamlins, Valencia fruit were not as affected. The average tree size at the Basinger location was 5.4 ft for Valencia and 5.6 ft for Hamlin. At the Lake Wales location, the average yield across all trees and rootstocks was 26 lbs. fruit/tree for both Valencia and Hamlin. The average tree size was 5.3 ft for Valencia and 5.6 ft for Hamlin. The largest trees across all trials were those on X-639 and C-54 with an average height of 6.7 ft and 6.3 ft, respectively. The highest yielding trees across all trials were those on C-22 and FA-517 with an average of 32-33 lbs. fruit/tree, followed by C-146, US-897, and UFR-5 with an average of 29-30 lbs. fruit/tree. Significant differences among trees on different rootstocks were also found for most fruit quality parameters (Valencia). The largest fruit were produced on trees with the Spanish rootstocks. The highest percentage of solids was imparted by FA-517 and several of the UF rootstocks including UFR-5 and UFR-6. The brix/acid ratio was highest in fruit on FA-517 and another Spanish rootstock.To conduct proper statistical analyses, we only included fully replicated rootstocks, which resulted in approximately 30 rootstocks depending on the scion and the trial location. Our analyses showed some statistically significant trends among rootstocks although results varied with scion and location. Overall, the most prominent differences were found for tree size and yield efficiency imparted by different rootstocks. For example, trees on some rootstocks (e.g. X-639) were large and exceptionally healthy looking but yielded few and lower-quality fruit (low yield efficiency). In contrast, trees on other rootstocks that were not remarkable in appearance yielded significantly more fruit than trees on X-639.     


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