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: 04/07/2020
Project: 18-029C   Year: 2020
Category: Plant Improvement
Author: Ute Albrecht
Sponsor: Citrus Research and Development Foundation

   In preparation for harvest and fruit quality analysis, multiple field trips were conducted to relabel trees with plastic tags where necessary and to reflag trees for easy identification. Due to the unusually high preharvest fruit drop, dropped fruit and remaining fruits on trees were counted for the two sentinel trees in each 8-tree plot to calculate the percentage of fruit drop. Fruit drop ranged from 33% to 74% with some differences among trees on different rootstocks but no consistent trend among the two locations.   In January, Hamlin trees were harvested including all 8 trees in each replicated plot. Fruit quality analyses had been conducted in December 2019. Horticultural assessments were performed and included tree height, canopy volume, and trunk diameters. Disease ratings and canopy health ratings were repeated in this quarter, because trees looked more HLB symptomatic than during the last quarter.  Significant differences among rootstocks were found for most variables measured. The cumulative yield averaged across both production years and locations was highest in trees on FA-5, UFR-5, C-54, and X-639 (61.3-65.0 lbs/tree) and lowest in trees on Amb+Benton, Changsha Benton, Sorp+Sh-991, and UFR-3 (28.9-34.4 lbs/tree). Tree height and canopy spread was largest in Hamlin trees on X-639, C-54, and C-57 and smallest in trees on Amb+Benton, UFR-3, Green 3, and Changsha+Benton. The highest yield efficiency (lbs fruit per canopy volume) across both seasons and locations was found for trees on Green 3, Amb+Benton, Changsha+Benton, and FA-517. Yield efficiency was lowest for trees on X-639, FA-31, C-146, and FA-13.  Due to the UF closure and halt of all research activities because of Covid-19, arrangements were made for a private contractor to conduct the fruit harvest in both Valencia trials and collect fruit for fruit quality analysis. Prior to the research halt, dropped fruit and remaining fruit on trees were counted to assess rootstock effects on preharvest fruit drop and obtain yield estimates in case harvest data collection would be impossible. Horticultural measurements were initiated but were not completed due to the research halt.  Data is currently summarized for an upcoming article in Citrus Industry magazine (July issue).Abstracts were submitted for presentation of research data at the FSHS and ASHS annual meetings in Florida.      


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