4 Fresh Florida Citrus Selections To Watch For

UF/IFAS initiated its citrus FAST TRACK release option as a means of moving promising experimental fresh citrus selections into grower trials. The goal of the program is to utilize grower trials to accelerate the identification of commercially valuable varieties for the fresh market, incentivize grower participation, engage nurseries early in the process, and provide an expedited path to full-scale commercial production when warranted.

The first UF/IFAS FAST TRACK suite included nine selections. Suite I trees went in the ground summer and fall 2014. The second UF/IFAS FAST TRACK suite included three selections. Propagating nurseries started on Suite II tree orders this past March. To date, grower and nursery participation has been strong, with seven participating nurseries and more than 100 registered grower trial site agreements for Suites I and II collectively.

In February, Florida Foundation Seed Producers Inc. (FFSP) published Invitations to Negotiate (ITN) 15-01, 15-02, 15-03, and 15-04. The ITN process will identify a managing partner, through which the third FAST TRACK suite will be made available. In other words, the ITN is the first step in launching a new FAST TRACK suite that will include four easy peel, seedless mandarins.

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The timeline is expected to result in an industrywide announcement this month. As with previous announcements, growers will be invited to meetings where the process will be explained and registration documents will be distributed. The 180-day registration period begins on the date of the final grower meeting. These dates will be widely published and strictly enforced. Those interested in FAST TRACK should pay close attention to these announcements and plan accordingly. Once the 180-day registration period closes, non-participating growers must wait until the completion of the Tier 1 and Tier 2 stages before again gaining access to FAST TRACK material (five to seven years).

Let’s take a look at what will be included in FAST TRACK Suite III.

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7-6-27

7-6-27 mandarin hybrid

Photo by Tyler Jones

This selection was developed by the UF/IFAS Plant Improvement Team in Lake Alfred. The original cross was made in 2005 and planted in the field in 2007. The 7-6-27 is easy peel, seedless, and has deep, naturally developed orange-colored peel and flesh. It is expected to reach maturity from mid-October to early November. The fruit has good brix and ratios 14+. The 7-6-27 was first shown at a Citrus Research & Education Center Variety Display Day in December 2013. It was showed again in November 2014. Regular readers of “Citrus Nursery Source” articles may have taken notice of Selection “C” in a recent post that highlighted the results of the November 2014 display. The 7-6-27 is selection “C.”

The 7-6-27 is a vigorous, compact tree when grown on its own root. To date, only one tree is in existence, and this is located in the Central Ridge. Perhaps the most interesting and exciting trait of the 7-6-27 is its apparent or potentially enhanced tolerance to HLB. The single tree shows few symptomatic leaves and has tested negative using qPCR. Drawing conclusions from one tree is risky, but the 7-6-27 has nonetheless inspired strong interest from growers and nurseries.
Some of the questions that must be answered about the 7-6-27:

  • Adaptation to commercial rootstocks?
  • Will it retain tolerance when grafted to a rootstock?
  • Postharvest quality and performance?

The Aurora Series: UFGlow, UFSunrise, And UFDawn

The three easy peel mandarin selections in the Aurora series were developed by the UF/IFAS citrus breeding program in Gainesville.

Fruit of the series was featured in a display held in Gainesville last fall. Candidates selected from outdoor plantings in Gainesville will generally be cold tolerant. Each of the Aurora selections has survived winter temperatures of 18°F without damage to small branches or leaves. The Aurora series is expected to perform in climates similar to those of North Central Florida, but should be evaluated in other Florida citrus producing regions.

All selections are easy peel and develop uniform, natural color. Though the brix levels are somewhat low, lower acid results in a mild, balanced flavor.

Fruit maturity is expected to be:

  • UFGlow: Mid-October to Mid-November
UF Glow mandarin

Photo by Kamille Chaparro

 

  • UFSunrise: Mid-November to Mid-December
UF Sunrise mandarin

Photo by Kamille Chaparro

 

  • UFDawn: Early- to Mid-December
UF Dawn mandarin

Photo by Kamille Chaparro

All of the Aurora selections are self-fertile and require clipping.

Some of the questions that must be answered about the Aurora Series:

  • Performance in Florida production regions further south?
  • Adaptation to North Florida production areas?
  • Postharvest performance and quality?

Early Option

The FAST TRACK trial and evaluation model provides growers the option of accelerating a selection directly to Tier 2 for commercial production. This is called the Early Option, and it can be elected at any time during the 180-day registration period or during Tier 1. Several growers have expressed interest in exercising the Early Option on 7-6-27; and at least one grower has shown similar interest with an Aurora selection.

FFSP has taken steps to address anticipated enhanced demand for budwood that Early Option would present. If growers elect Early Option after the initiation of the 180-day registration period for Suite III, sufficient budwood should exist to accommodate many, but not likely all of the requests.

Tier 1 trees would receive priority access to budwood, and any remaining budwood would be divided evenly among those growers electing the Early Option. Additional budwood increase and the entrance of additional nurseries should result in expedited fulfillment of any additional demand.

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