Lindcove Research and Extension conducting trials to fight citrus greening
Two of these studies are now being prepared. The CCPP has received industry and federal funding to introduce at least 50 citrus varieties that seem to be surviving the HLB epidemic in Florida research breeding blocks. These will be evaluated for their horticultural characteristics at Lindcove REC, and used by Roose and other scientists. The accessions include rootstocks, mandarins, sweet oranges, grapefruit and pummelos.
Another trial will assess mandarin productivity under a protective screen structure, which would keep out psyllids and HLB. Grafton-Cardwell is anticipating a “different style of growing citrus” in the future.
In Florida, where 80% of citrus trees or more are infected with HLB, citrus growers are struggling with orchard productivity. Yields are down around 40%, and some growers are shifting to other crops or businesses. With such wide devestation, California is expected to be hit hard soon as well, and researchers are trying to prepare.
source: escholarship.org
