Simplifying Progressive Citrus Propagation Process A Priority

The July issue edition of “Citrus Nursery Source” highlighted the three new UF/IFAS selections available to growers for trial and evaluation. This suite includes one tangerine, one grapefruit, and one navel-like orange hybrid. It was mentioned that New Varieties Development & Management Corp. (NVDMC) would work closely with the Citrus Nursery Division of FNGLA to evaluate lessons learned from the first round of FAST TRACK and employ changes to streamline the process. The objective: simplify the process for nurseries, growers, and NVDMC. Much work has been done in this area through the launch of FAST TRACK Group B.

Summer Gold Grapefruit is part of the upcoming FAST TRACK suite. Photo courtesy of Florida Foundation Seed Producers Inc.

Summer Gold Grapefruit is part of the upcoming FAST TRACK suite. Photo courtesy of Florida Foundation Seed Producers Inc.

A statewide news release was published to the industry in late July announcing the availability of the suite and establishing dates for five statewide meetings to be held in August. Growers were not required to have attended the meetings in order to register for the FAST TRACK program. Copies of the PowerPoint used at the meetings, as well as registration documentation were provided to UF/IFAS Citrus Extension agents for distribution to interested parties (these materials also are available from the NVDMC office).

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Nursery Selection

It was decided to limit the number of propagating nurseries. There were five propagating nurseries in the first round of FAST TRACK. Each nursery was licensed to produce only specific selections. Each nursery offered different rootstocks. Numerous nurseries offering a multitude of rootstocks, combined with budwood shortages resulted in staggered availability dates for trees. This complicated all aspects of the program. This time around, there are two propagating nurseries: Harris Citrus Nursery in Lithia and Southern Citrus Nursery in Dundee. Each nursery will propagate trees of all three selections. Grower registrations will be split evenly between the two nurseries. Each registered grower will receive all of their trees from one nursery.

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Selection Of Rootstocks For Trial

All three selections are offered on Sour Orange and X-639 rootstocks. These stocks were selected for their versatility in a wide range of growing conditions. Though these may not be the rootstock of choice for some growers, it is believed they are a good choice for initial evaluation. The propagating nurseries each set aside liners of these rootstocks for budding of trees for the early registrants. These trees should go in the ground during summer 2015.

Save The Dates

The last industry meetings in August started the 180-day registration period for this suite of three selections. Growers have until Feb. 15, 2015 to register to participate in the trial process. After this date, the opportunity will close. FAST TRACK is a three-tier process: (1) trial and evaluation; (2) commercialization of any selections deemed to have economic and market potential; and (3) open availability to any grower wishing to register to plant the selection.

Tier 2 is only available to those growers who participated in Tier 1. Should a selection move to Tier 2, it will become a commercial variety. Growers in Tier 2 get a five-year production head-start before other growers have access. They also get a preferential royalty rate. The royalty rate in Tier 3 is higher than Tier 2.

Though growers have until Feb. 15 to register, those who registered by Sept. 19, 2014 received priority access. There is limited budwood available for these selections. Orders from these early registrants were budded in September for planting in summer 2015. All other orders will be budded at a later date after more budwood is available. It is anticipated the next budding will be February 2015. Despite this delay, growers are encouraged to participate. The FAST TRACK registration fee of $50 per selection secures a position in the event the selection advances to Tier 2.
For more information, contact your UF/IFAS citrus Extension agent, the NVDMC office at 321-214-5214.

And There’s More

FAST TRACK Suite A: Trees for the first round of FAST TRACK trees (nine selections) went in the ground late June through August 2014. Some of your customers may be registered growers. Nurseries would be advised to keep an eye on this process. Should any of these selections advance to Tier 2, there will be rapid demand for trees and budwood. Non-propagating nursery agreements are available for any nursery wishing to establish a bud source for FAST TRACK selections. This agreement permits budwood increase, but not advanced sales or propagations. Information is available from NVDMC.

US Early Pride

US Early Pride

Changes to Florida Citrus Rules

Some significant rules changes went into effect Aug. 20, 2014. These rule changes will impact Florida’s specialty fruit industry. Though these rule changes are intended to assist with the marketability of tangerine and mandarin fruit types, they may result in increased demand from nurseries. This is good information to know. Google “Florida Citrus Rules” and follow the link to Department of Citrus — Florida Administrative Code. Select chapter 20-13. In this chapter are state definitions for seedless and low seeded tangerines and mandarins. This rule will, for the first time, provide a standard for what can be called low-seeded or seedless. It is hoped that low-seeded and seedless fruit will command a premium in the marketplace. This can be found in 20-13.0041.

Chapter 20-13.0042 establishes standards for use of the term “mandarin.” Other revisions to 20-13 now classify W. Murcott, Tango, US Early Pride, Ori Lee, and Osceola. Each of these varieties must meet maturity standards when packed. However, the Citrus Administrative Committee has not established size and grade for these varieties. Use of all size ranges for the easy peel, low-seeded, and seeded tangerine/mandarins should provide opportunity. Lee and Osceola will not meet the low-seeded or seedless definitions, but can now be marketed as tangerines. Bear in mind that though size and grade has not been established, one must meet the grade standard if one is claiming the grade.

Trials On New Rootstocks

Growers have requested that NVDMC assist with the establishment of trials of promising FAST TRACK selections and new processed oranges on new, more tolerant rootstocks. NVDMC will explore this possibility with the research units as well as the Citrus Research & Development Foundation (CRDF). These trials would need to be in a location where growers can observe their progress. Some of the trials being established by the CRDF may already address this need for the processed selections. More on this is coming.

Citrus On Display*

Growers, processors, packers, marketers, and more are welcome to attend the upcoming UF/IFAS, NVDMC Variety Displays.

  • Nov. 6: CREC, Lake Alfred
  • Dec. 11: CREC, Lake Alfred
  • Jan. 15, 2015: IRREC, Ft. Pierce
  • Feb. 17, 2015: CREC, Lake Alfred

* All events start at 10:00 a.m.

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