MIAMI, FLORIDA (RFD News) — Citrus greening has devastated Florida’s citrus industry in recent years, and now researchers are working to develop trees that can better withstand the disease.
Scientists say the process starts with breeding stronger, more resilient trees that can survive the challenges growers face in the field. According to USDA researcher Matthew Mattia, those trees must be able to handle pressure once planted in groves.
“The first stage is the nursery: the nursery needs trees to be able to propagate them and send them to the grove for growers to be able to grow them,” Mattia says. “In the grove, the trees have to tolerate stress, pests, and disease resistance. The fruit needs to be harvested and then transported.”
Citrus greening was first discovered in the United States in 2005. Since then, researchers have focused on developing stronger rootstocks and more disease-tolerant trees.
Mattia says newer rootstocks developed through the program are already seeing increased adoption across Florida.
“There were new and improved rootstocks developed and released from the program,” he explains. “The adoption of rootstocks by the industry has increased to over 40% of the total amount of rootstocks grown in the state of Florida. This is an indication that growers are finding value in these new rootstocks as a way to combat HLB and citrus greening.”
Researchers estimate Florida has lost roughly 90 percent of its citrus production since citrus greening emerged, impacting about 80 percent of fruit-bearing trees across the state.
Last year, Florida lawmakers approved $140 million to help revitalize the citrus industry, with much of the funding going toward research and field trials. Other funding areas include industry promotion, packinghouse upgrades, and a citrus health response program.
