Source: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA submitted to NRP
CITRUS ROOTSTOCK AND SCION CULTIVAR DEVELOPMENT FOR AN HLB-ENDEMIC FLORIDA
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1022753
Grant No.
(N/A)
Cumulative Award Amt.
(N/A)
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Apr 15, 2020
Project End Date
Mar 31, 2025
Grant Year
(N/A)
Program Code
[(N/A)]- (N/A)
Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
G022 MCCARTY HALL
GAINESVILLE,FL 32611
Performing Department
Citrus Research and Education Center
Non Technical Summary
This project is a continuation of the Grosser program citrus breeding effort that has been ongoing for the past 35 years. The program combines conventional breeding with all relevant emerging biotechnological tools to facilitate the citrus breeding and selection process. The program interacts very closely in a complementary fashion with program of Dr. Fred Gmitter. The goals of the project are to deliver new improved rootstocks and scions to the Florida Citrus Industry that will allow for sustainable and profitable citriculture in the now HLB-endemic world. The project is expected to deliver rootstocks that can be used to mitigate HLB in any commercial scion. The project is expected to generate improved sweet orange cultiars that cover the entire harvesting season, and will contribute substantially to the improved quality of NFC Florida orange juice as needed to increase juice consumption. The project will also generate new fresh market cultivars that will provide Florida growers with an opportunity to compete in the lucrative national and international fresh fruit markets, including higher quality seedless easy-peel tangerines, seedless fresh oranges, red-pigmented seedless and sweeter grapefruit, and unique acid fruits. The project is expected to expand opportunities for all phases of the Florida Citrus Industry.
Animal Health Component
80%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
20%
Applied
80%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
20109991081100%
Goals / Objectives
Produce, evaluate and subsequently release new citrus rootstocks that induce HLB-tolerance into grafted scions, and that induce superior field performance and fruit quality from all commercial scion cultivars, have improved tolerance to other important biotic factors including Phytophthora, various nematodes, Diaprepes, citrus tristeza virus [CTV], and citrus blight, and environmental stresses (cold, salinity, high pH and calcareous soils, and drought). Tree size control potential is also an objective for a subset of developed rootstocks. Produce, evaluate and subsequently release processing sweet orange cultivars with higher total soluble solids and juice color scores, expanded maturity dates to facilitate NFC )not from concentrate) production, and better flavor than current cultivars, and with increased HLB-tolerance when possible. This includes sweet orange-like hybrids that can meet the evolving standard of identify for sweet orange; and also the development of superior HLB-tolerant mandarin hybrids that can be blended with orange juice to improve color and flavor. Produce, evaluate and subsequently release promising HLB-tolerant fresh fruit cultivars, including grapefruit/pummelo cultivars with improved color, flavor, and appearance; seedless, easy-to-peel mandarin cultivars that would be available throughout the season; and acid fruit (lemon/lime) cultivars with improved disease resistance, cold-hardiness, and industrial applications. When possible, genes for resistance to diseases (including CTV, canker and greening), cold, and pests will be incorporated into cultivars in each group. Efforts will be made to extend, or to fill gaps in, the normal fruit maturity seasons.
Project Methods
Objective I. Rootstock Cultivars A. Hybridization1. Sexual: Crosses will be made with monoembryonic and polyembryonic selections derived from several Citrus species, hybrids, and related genera, as seed or pollen parents. Parents will be selected and combined in a complementary fashion, combining the desired traits. Emphasis will be placed on crosses maximizing HLB tolerance. Crosses will proceed annually in a progressive manner. Rootstock hybrids will be produced at both the diploid and tetraploid levels.2. Somatic hybridization: Intergeneric and interspecific allotetraploid somatic hybrids will be produced via protoplast fusion using our embryogenic culture + leaf protoplast model system. Selection of fusion parents will be based on feedback from field trials, performance of cultivars in our protoplast system, and performance in greenhouse/field seedling screens. Resulting somatic hybrids will be propagated for further testing by either in vitro, shoot multiplication and/or by rooted cuttings (Grosser and Gmitter, 1990; Grosser et al., 2000, 2005).B. Selection and EvaluationScreening: The Gauntlet High-Throughput Screening Program: Since HLB has become endemic in Florida, the ongoing UF program has screened more than 12,000 rootstock hybrids (diploid and tetraploid) in search of rootstocks that can mitigate or eliminate HLB in grafted commercial scions. Such rootstocks would be the ultimate solution, as they eliminate the need for psyllid control, antibiotics, thermotherapy, GMOs, etc. Seed from diploid and tetraploid rootstock crosses of superior parents are planted in flats of high pH, calcareous soil (brought to the CREC from the Indian River), and inoculated with both Phytophthora nicotianae and P. palmivora. Vigorous dark-green 'Gauntlet' rootstock hybrids that can handle the calcareous soil and Phytophthora, are grafted with HLB+ Valencia budsticks. HLB+ trees are grown out directly from the infected budwood to produce trees for field evaluation at the USDA Picos Farm in Fort Pierce. Gauntlet trees are evaluated annually for growth, tree health, and monitored for CLas titers using qPCR. Field performance: Replicated trials of advanced selections and standard rootstocks, all budded with common scion will be established at various representative citrus growing locations in Florida. Field design will target a minimum of six 4-tree replications planted in a randomized block design. Tree size and growth characteristics, stock-scion compatibility, field tolerance of stress and diseases (especially HLB) and influence on scion performance (fruit quality and yield) will be measured; also, advanced selections in field trials will be evaluated according to their financial performance. Superior selections will be patented and released according to IFAS/FFSP policy.Objective II. Processing Sweet Orange Cultivars A HybridizationSexual: Crosses will be made with monoembryonic seed parents and complementary pollen parents previously shown to produce progeny with sweet orange-like characteristics. Focus will be on using parents with good HLB tolerance, and most crosses will produce progeny containing 1/3 or 2/3 sweet orange. Potentially seedless triploid hybrids will be produced by interploid hybridizations, with recovery of triploid progeny facilitated by embryo rescue. Sweet orange-like triploids with superior fruit quality and adequate HLB tolerance already produced will be propagated and evaluated on a larger scale.Somatic hybridization and cybridization: Interspecific allotetraploid somatic hybrid breeding lines will be produced by the fusion of protoplasts derived from embryogenic callus cultures with leaf-derived protoplasts of the corresponding parents. Selection of parents will be based on feedback from previous and ongoing field evaluations, with focus on HLB tolerance and fruit quality. Fertile somatic hybrids will be used in interploid sexual crosses in efforts to generate seedless triploids mentioned above (Grosser and Gmitter, 1990; Grosser et al., 2000, 2005). Selection and EvaluationPrimary selection: Initial selection will be based on HLB tolerance, fruit/juice quality, and season of maturity. Brix, acidity, sugar/acid ratio, juice %, lbs. solids and juice color will be measured by running samples through the CREC Pilot Plant. Promising selections identified will also have sensory/organoleptic evaluations performed in collaboration with Dr. Yu Wang, and/or Florida orange juice companies such as Tropicana and Florida's Natural.Advanced testing: Primary selections will be propagated on superior HLB-tolerant rootstocks generated by our program, with commercial scion cultivars used for comparison, and planted in replicated trials at various representative citrus growing locations in Florida to assess performance on various stocks and consistency of yield and quality characteristics. Selections exhibiting superior performance will be patented and released according to IFAS/FFSP policy.Objective Ill. Fresh Fruit CultivarsHybridizationSexual: Interploid crosses will be made with monoembryonic seed parents and complementary pollen parents. Focus will be on using parents with good HLB tolerance, and that have the most potential for transmitting desired fresh fruit characteristics. Potentially seedless triploid hybrid production will be facilitated by embryo rescue when necessary. We have decades of experience showing us what traits are reliably transmitted from specific parents, and this information will be utilized in new annual crosses. For grapefruit improvement, we have several new high quality tetraploid pummelo hybrids that are now flowering. We ave also identified two grapefruit-like tetraploid somatic hybrids that are showing excellent HLB and canker tolerance. These will be utilized in interploid crosses with dark red grapefruit and selected diploid pummelos.Somatic hybridization and cybridization: Interspecific allotetraploid somatic hybrid breeding lines will be produced by the fusion of protoplasts derived from embryogenic callus cultures with leaf-derived protoplasts of the corresponding parents. Selection of parents will be based on feedback from previous and ongoing field evaluations, with focus on HLB tolerance and fruit quality. Fertile somatic hybrids will be used in interploid sexual crosses in efforts to generate seedless triploids.Selection and EvaluationPrimary selection: Initial selection will be based on HLB tolerance, fruit quality (flavor, size, external color, internal color, segment structure, peelability, etc.), and season of maturity. Promising candidates will be shown at our fruit displays for Industry Feedback; compiled information will be used to make decisions on which selections to move forward to advanced trials and entry into the DPI Parent Tree Program to generate a source of pathogen-free budwood. Pathogen-free legal budlines will also be maintained in the CREC repositories.Advanced testing: Superior selections will be propagated on superior HLB-tolerant rootstocks generated by our program, with commercial scion cultivars used for comparison, and planted in replicated trials at various representative citrus growing locations in Florida to assess performance on various stocks and consistency of yield and quality characteristics. Pollination requirements will be determined by controlled pollinations. Promising selections will be made available to growers for advanced field trials through the existing Fast Track program, and via MTAs. Selections exhibiting superior performance will be patented and released according to IFAS/FFSP policy. Note: in the event that a non-certified propagation greenhouse is made available by any funding agency, it will be fully utilized by accelerated advanced testing of promising clones prior to obtaining pathogen-free budwood from the Parent Tree Program.

Progress 10/01/20 to 09/30/21

Outputs
Target Audience:Citrus growers, packers and processors affected by HLB. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Brazilian intern student Maria Brenelli began her MS program, and working on development of new sweet orange clones. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Publications in Scientific Journals and Trade Journals, presentations at Citrus Trade Shows, multiple fruit/juice displays showing new selections, multiple field tours with growers/nurserymen. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?This research is a progressive continuum. We are planning multiple new scion/rootstock trials to determine which selections can be sustainable and profitable in the now HLB-endemic condition of Florida.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Processing Sweet Oranges: significant progress was made in the effort to replace 'Hamlin' sweet orange with early and mid-season selections that exhibit better juice quality and HLB tolerance. Ten clones of Vernia repeated for early maturity for the 3rd consecutive season (4 entered into the PTP). One early Vernia clone R25-T7 showed higher brix and soluble solids, and was recently entered into the PTP. We continued to evaluate the OLL somaclone-seedling population in efforts to identify high quality clones with potentially higher HLB tolerance than standard oranges. Selected promising clones of both the OLL and Vernia oranges are being propagated and will be replanted at St. Helena under a DPI permit to plant infected stock (the OLL somaclone seedling-derived population is on Lee property that is likely to be sold following the death of Louise Lee this past year). Seedless Fresh Fruit: We continued to identify new easy-peel, seedless mandarin selections, some that have potential to compete in the Cutie/Halo market. We received permission from the UF Council to use the Tradmark name 'Gator Bites' for these selections, and our goal is to have a series of similar seedless, easy-peel, flavorful mandarins with sequential maturity dates, as necessary to maintain shelf space in grocery stores (all marketed as 'Gator Bites'). Grapefruit/Pummelo: early maturing pink grapefruit-like selection C2-5-3 was approved for commercial release by the IFAS Cultivar Release Committee. This selection has very good potential for mid-September to November production in Florida, ahead of standard grapefruits. Other Sweet Orange Research: Processing: Continued data collection on early 'Valencia' and 'OLL series' somaclones/somaclone-derived seedlings. Ten Vernia clones previously selected for early maturity repeated for December maturity for the 3rd consecutive year - all candidates to replace Hamlin. The first trees of the putative HLB-tolerant Valencia clone N40-7-11 were planted in the Mathew Block in the Lee Family Alligator Grove. A population of EV-1 and EV-2 protoclones was planted at the N-40 (Omar). OLL Sweet Orange Projects: We germinated seed of early maturing OLL clones FB-4-13 and FB-9-33, and stick-grafted recovered seedlings to UFR-4 rootstock in an effort to generate additional early maturing OLL clones. Resulting trees will be planted at St. Helena later in 2022. The first trees of OLL-23 were planted in the Mathew Block in the Lee Family Alligator Grove. Orange-like hybrids for processing: Several other orange-like hybrids with processing potential were identified. These include new triploid hybrids that have good juice blending potential (at the current 10% limit), for improving the color and flavor of Florida NFC - such hybrids must have firm fruit to be amenable to standard trucking to the processing plants. Juice from orange-like hybrid KE-6-4 has a 40 color score in late October, and did well in the October Juice Display. Orange-like hybrid C7-12-9 also did well in the October Juice Display; it has higher brix and richer flavor than KE-6-4. However, fruit size is smaller than a standard orange. Trees of C7-12-9 should be quite cold hardy as two of its parents are cold hardy Sugar Belle and Changsha mandarin - this should make it a good candidate for the North Florida Citrus Industry. Both hybrids have been entered into the PTP. Progress with Rootstock Improvement: Two new rootstocks were selected for the CRDF Stage 3 trials: Blue 1 and Orange 14. We continued to provide new rootstock selections to Agromillora to initiate TC micropropagation; two of the most promising 'gauntlet' rootstock selections introduced in 2019 have really taken off with several hundred liners already produced: S10xS15-12 25 and LB8-9xS13-15-16. Both of these will be included in the DeLuca Project and other field trials. Other superior 'gauntlet' rootstock candidates where we have no available seed tree were cut (removed the HLB+ Valencia scion) to recovery the rootstock genotype by sprouting. Two of 13 'gauntlet' rootstocks recovered by grafting (see below) were completely negative for CLas via PCR testing, and remarkably both were from the same cross: Amblycarpa +HBPummelo x Orange 3 (UFR-1). Both can go directly to TC micropropagation. A mutant of x639 (STR-4-1) was discovered in one of our DPI permitted field experiments planted with infected stock. HLB+ Valencia trees on 5 rootstocks left over from a CRDF-funded greenhouse nutrition study were planted at Gapway Groves near the CREC (about 80 trees), all planted with high CLas titers. After 2 years in the field, one tree grew off about twice as fast as any of the others and set a crop of fruit. The rootstock genotype was recovered and tested with SSR markers in the Gmitter lab, and 13 markers matched x639. However, the flow cytometry ploidy analysis shows that this rootstock is missing DNA, and is probably a deletion mutant. The recovered tree also tested completely negative for CLas via PCR. Propagation of this rootstock is underway, and the selection will be sequenced along with x639 during 2022. Solving HLB, Blight and Tristeza - Diploid Breeding: 8 crosses were conducted in 2021, all featuring at least one HLB tolerant parent. Salt-tolerant HBPummelo x Shekwasha hybrids were crossed with US-942 and US-897 (pollen obtained from the Southern Citrus Nursery seed tree block in Babson Park via Tommy Thayer). Focus was on stacking abiotic stress tolerance genes in sour orange-type background. Two pummelos showing HLB tolerance (UKP-1 and Monster) were also crossed with US-942 and US-897; however, most of the seedlings appear to be pummelos from self-pollination. Tetraploid Breeding: Crosses of superior somatic hybrids and tetrazygs continued, as crosses of 7 different parental combinations were conducted in 2021, most with at least one HLB-tolerant parent. Females included Orange 21, N+HBP-SS-19 Murcott + Chandler #80 pummelo. Pollen parents included gauntlet rootstock A+Volk x Orange 19-11-8, N+HBP-SS-19 and UFR-6. Recovered seed from diploid and tetraploid crosses were planted in calcareous soil inoculated with Phytophthora (liquid inoculum supplied by Diane Bright in Dr. Graham's lab was utilized). Seed from more than 20 crosses conducted by Dr. Gmitter were also planted into the gauntlet screen. HLB Gauntlet Screening Program: approximately 50 individual candidate rootstock hybrids (includes diploids and tetraploids) were selected for field planting, wrapped and tagged. With the retirement of Ed Stover, we will now plant gauntlet trees in the CREC City Block rather than at Picos Farm (scheduled for spring of 2022). Several new rootstocks looked quite good at Picos Farm, including multiple hybrids from Sugar Belle x S13 and S11 x trifoliate orange 50-7. PCR analysis shows that some hybrids may be suppressing CLas replication in the Valencia scion. Super-Root Mutants: Continued to work with Beth Lamb at Ruck's nursery to collect and evaluate 'super-root' mutants of UF rootstocks being propagated via tissue culture. UFR-1 clone#28 (now called 'Fast Eddy' continues to perform well at multiple locations with multiple scions, and UFR-1 clone #2 also looks quite good. UFR-6 clone #1 also looks good in the Tri-State trial. turned out to be a zygotic triploid. Beth has provided additional TC micropropagated plants of 'Fast Eddy' for further evaluation.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Kunwar, S., J.W. Grosser, F.G. Gmitter, W.S. Castle and U. Albrecht. 2021. Field Performance of Hamlin Orange trees on Various Rootstocks in Huanglongbing-endemic Conditions. HortScience 56:244-253.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Mahmoud, L.M., Huyck, P.J., Vincent, C.I., Gmitter, F.G., Grosser, J.W., Dutt, M., 2021. Physiological Responses and Gene Expression Patterns in Open-Pollinated Seedlings of a Pummelo-Mandarin Hybrid Rootstock Exposed to Salt Stress and Huanglongbing. Plants 10, 1439.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Mahmoud, L.M., Vincent, C.I., Grosser, J.W., Dutt, M., 2021. The response of salt-stressed Valencia sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) to salicylic acid and methyl jasmonate treatments. Plant Physiology Reports 26, 137-151.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Aparicio-Duran, F.G. Gmitter, J.M. Arjona-Lopez, J.W. Grosser, R. Calero-Velazquez, A. Hervalejo and F.J. Arenas-Arenas. 2021. Evaluation of three new Citrus Rootstocks under Boron Toxicity Conditions. Agronomy 11(12), 2490; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11122490
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Grosser, J. W., Nielsen, E.R., Mahmoud, LM, Ebert T.A. and Dutt, M. 2021. HLB tolerance in Valencia sweet orange grafted onto pummelo interstocks and Swingle rootstocks. Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Grosser, J.W..2021. OLL Sweet Oranges: Alternatives to Valencia. July 2021. Citrus Industry Magazine
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Dutt, M., Nielsen, E., Mahmoud, L., Quirico, M. and Grosser J . 2021. Pummelo Interstocks Could Improve Performance of HLB Trees. December 2021 Citrus Industry magazine.


Progress 04/15/20 to 09/30/20

Outputs
Target Audience:Target Audience: Citrus Growers, Packers & Processors. Changes/Problems:Fruit/juice displays are now being done remotely by having participants pick up samples and sending in evaluations on line - as necessary due to covid restrictions. Will resume normal pathways when possible. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Continued hosting Brazilian student (Faculty of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences of Jaboticabal City, São Paulo State) Mariá Brenelli de Paiva Vidotti, for an 18-month internship (2nd term, extended). Mariá is working on field trials evaluating OLL sweet orange clones and seedling-trees on new tetraploid rootstocks, and Vernia somaclone-derived seedling trees. She is now applying for an MS graduate program. 2. Continued hosting Egyptian PhD Student Lamiaa Mahmoud, from the Pomology Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Mansoura University. Lamiaa is conducting a sandwich dissertation research program (fully funded), studying biotechnology and genetics of citrus trees, with focus on salinity tolerance and HLB-tolerant rootstocks. Dr. Manjul Dutt is also involved with her supervision. 3. Hosted Moroccan visitor Anas Fadli on a 10-month internship as part of his MS program at the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Zaragoza, University of Lleida, Spain. Anas worked on rootstock screening for the NIFA-SCRI grant. Anas also completed a PhD from Morocco while at UF, and is now doing a post-Doc with Dr. Ute Albrecht at SWFREC. ? How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?21. EXTENSION PROGRAM - 2020 Highlights · CREC Fresh Fruit Display at the Florida Citrus Showcase, Fort Pierce, FL. · State Capitol - UF/CREC Variety Improvement Program Orange Juice/Fruit Tasting at Gator Day in Tallahassee. This first-time effort was a huge success. · Two invited presentations 'UF-CREC Citrus Rootstock Evaluation for an HLB-Endemic Florida: The Way Forward' and 'Grapefruit Breeding for the now canker/HLB endemic Florida', Florida Citrus Showcase, Fort Pierce, FL. · 1 NVDMC sponsored Fruit/Juice Displays at the CREC, and 1 at Vero Beach (Fair Grounds), and 1 remote display with fruit sample pickup by participants. · 2 Field Tours of Lee Groves scion/rootstock trials (6 and 4 participants). · Field Tour of St. Helena and Tropicana trials (Rick Dantzler, CRDF) · Invited presentation for the on-line Florida Growers Citrus Institute entitled: 'Improved Genetics and Nutrition - The Way Forward' (narrated PP video). · Invited presentation for the on-line Citrus Expo entitled 'Varieties and Rootstocks for an HLB-Endemic Florida' (narrated PP video). · Mini-field Tours of CREC Trailer Park Block: 5 tours, 1-10 participants each. ? What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continue utilizing established pathways for product and information to clientele.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? 1. Solving HLB, Blight and Tristeza - Diploid Breeding: 5 crosses were conducted in 2020, in efforts to combine the HLB tolerance of SugarBelle with complementary parents that included Swingle, Kuharske, and 3 salt tolerant Shekwasha x HBPummelo hybrids showing good HLB tolerance (via stress tolerance genes). HLB Gauntlet Screening Program: Recovered seed from 2019 diploid and tetraploid crosses were planted in calcareous soil inoculated with both problematic species of Phytophthora (liquid inoculum supplied by Diane Bright in Dr. Johnson's lab was utilized). Replicate cuttings were produced from more than 50 new rootstock candidates. The first hybrids containing SugarBelle genetics have now been in the field for nearly one year, and several are showing exceptional health and tree growth.. Approximately 50 individual candidate rootstock hybrids (includes diploids and tetraploids) were selected following the calcareous soil/Phytophthora screen, and stick grafted with HLB+ Valencia. More than 50 HLB-Valencia grafted trees on candidate rootstock hybrids were wrapped and tagged for planting at the USDA Picos Farm. Zygotic seedlings derived from Orange 14 and showing promise were also prepared for inclusion at Picos Farm. Several 4+ year old gauntlet trees continued to show good tree growth, fruit production, and some repeated for high ct values (32 or above) 2-7 times during monthly winter tests. The best hybrid in the gauntlet S10 x S15-12-25 has been successfully propagated by cuttings and also introduced successfully into TC at Agromillora. Trees are being grafted for the Tri-State and other trials. A superior zygotic rootstock hybrid from 46x20-04-9 was recovered from the Wayne Jackson trial in LaBelle, and cuttings are being produced. This rootstock has also been entered into the alternating temperature chamber for rapid cleanup. Super-Root Mutants: Continued to work with Beth Lamb at Ruck's nursery to collect and evaluate 'super-root' mutants of UF rootstocks being propagated via tissue culture. UFR-6 clone #1 produced a few fruit of outstanding quality (several scions including Rio Red grapefruit) on just one-year old trees in the Tri-State planting. 2. Other Sweet Orange Research: Processing: Produced a population of protoclones of EV-1 and EV-2 in efforts to identify a more robust early Valencia clone - trees will be planted in spring of 202 (Ahmad Omar). We also evaluated two blocks of 1-2 year old EV trees on leftover gauntlet rootstock cuttings (Frielander Block in Lake Wales, and Mislevy Block in Bowling Green); identified a rootstock showing potential to prevent fruit drop and produce fruit of very high quality (C2-4-1 x WGFT+50-7-12-3). Continued data collection on early 'Valencia' and Vernia and 'OLL series' somaclones/somaclone-derived seedlings. OLL Sweet Orange Projects: We continued our cooperation with Tropicana/PepsiCo (Allison Drown) via our collaborative Demonstration Block with Jason Griffin in Haines City, and providing Gio Ljpkemeule with fruit samples for sensory analysis. Orange-like hybrids: We identified another sweet orange-like seedless triploid hybrid C4-8-25 that was fully colored and mature in October (SugarBelle x [Succari + Murcott]. This selection has processing and fresh fruit potential, as it can be peeled. It was entered into the PTP. Several other orange-like hybrids with processing potential were identified. We also identified new triploid hybrids that have good juice blending potential (at the current 10% limit), for improving the color and flavor of Florida NFC, including KE-6-4 (Ambersweet zyg. x 4X Succari) that has a 40 color score in November. This clone was sensory-evaluated by Tropicana and they liked the flavor. This selection was also entered into the PTP. 3. Fresh Fruit Improvement: Seedless Triploids: Mandarin/Sweet orange: 2020 interploid crosses continued to focus on obtaining triploids with zipperskins, early and late maturity, and HLB tolerance; this includes production of sweet orange-like hybrids (especially early maturing) with potential for improved HLB tolerance. Interploid crosses were conducted from 18 different parental combinations, including 6 that were designed to produce sweet orange-like fruit. Pollen parents included 4x Valencia, Murcott+Ortanique, 4x 304 and Page+(Clementine x Satsuma). LB8-8 and LB8-9, Temple, Clementine, and G-96 were the predominant seed parents used. Embryo rescue was completed, now ploidy analysis and micrografting are underway. Micrografting of triploid hybrids produced during 2019 continued. Approximately 50 new triploid hybrids were planted as resets as spaces became available in CREC blocks. Grapefruit/Pummelo: 55 new triploid hybrids were planted as resets in various blocks at the CREC as spaces became available. 10 interploid crosses were conducted primarily using HLB tolerant, high quality red pummelos x 4x Hudson red grapefruit. Embryo rescue was completed, and ploidy analysis and micrografting are underway. Two large trials of new CREC red grapefruit and pummelo clones on new candidate rootstocks were planted with Bryan Paul and English Bros. Citrus. Trees were propagated at Briteleaf nursery and the CREC. A large trial of grapefruit-like hybrids was also partially planted with Richard Davis (Groveland), with the remainder to be planted in 2021. Irradiation: Pummelette: we continued evaluating fruit from irradiated canker-tolerant pummelette trees (Kinsey Block) for seed content and fruit quality. KW-3-7 was identified to have a higher juice content, and much less granulation, although it does have a few seeds per fruit. Somatic Hybridization/Cybridization: Because of the previously reported compromised trees at the IRREC trial (in cooperation with Johnny Ferrarezi), and the new unreasonable U-Farm charge rates, we decided to move the cybrid trial to another non-UF site. Trees are being propagated to accommodate this. Dr. Omar is still producing new cybrids of red grapefruit and sweet oranges with kumquat cytoplasm, in an effort to improve canker and HLB tolerance (See Dr. Omar's report for more details). Dr. Omar is also continuing efforts to generate new tetraploid breeding parents, focusing on using Tango and W. Murcott as the embryogenic parent, and various high quality diploid mandarins from the CREC breeding program as leaf parents.

Publications

  • Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: 1. German� MA, Aleza P, Grosser JW, Dutt M, Wang N, Cuenca J & Kaur P (2020). Citrus biotechnology. Chapter 9, In: Talon M, Caruso M & Gmitter FG (eds) The Genus Citrus. Woodhead Publishing, pp. 171-192.
  • Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: 2. Ollitrault, P., German�, M.A., Froelicher, Y. Cuenca, J., Aleza, P. Morillon, R., Grosser, J.W. and Guo, W.W. (2020). Ploidy manipulation for citrus breeding, genetics and genomics. Chapter 6, In: (A. Gentile, Ed.) The Citrus Genome. Springer-Nature pp75-105.
  • Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: 3. Forner-Giner, M.A., Continella, A., and Grosser, JW. Citrus Rootstock Breeding and Selection (2020). Chapter 5, In: (A. Gentile, Ed.) The Citrus Genome. Springer-Nature pp. 49-74.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: 4. Dutt M, Mou Z, Zhang X, Tanwir SE & Grosser JW (2020) Efficient CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing with Citrus embryogenic cell cultures. BMC biotechnology 20(1):1-7
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: 5. Killiny N, Jones SE, Hijaz F, Kishk A, Santos-Ortega Y, Nehela Y, Omar AA, Yu Q, Gmitter FG, Grosser JW & Dutt M (2020) Metabolic Profiling of Hybrids Generated from Pummelo and Citrus latipes in Relation to Their Attraction to Diaphorina citri, the Vector of Huanglongbing. Metabolites 10(12):477
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: 6. Mahmoud LM, Dutt M, Vincent CI & Grosser JW (2020) Salinity-Induced Physiological Responses of Three Putative Salt Tolerant Citrus Rootstocks. Horticulturae 6(4):90
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: 7. Soares JM, Tanwir SE, Grosser JW & Dutt M (2020) Development of genetically modified citrus plants for the control of citrus canker and huanglongbing. Tropical Plant Pathology 45(3):237-250
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: 8. Soares JM, Weber KC, Qiu W, Stanton D, Mahmoud LM, Wu H, Huyck P, Zale J, Al Jasim K, Grosser JW & Dutt M (2020) The vascular targeted citrus FLOWERING LOCUS T3 gene promotes non-inductive early flowering in transgenic Carrizo rootstocks and grafted juvenile scions. Scientific Reports 10(1):21404
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: 10. Zhang, S, Z. P. Yin, X.M. Wu, C.C. Li, K.D. Xiel, X.X. Deng, J.W. Grosser and W.W. Guo. 2020. Assembly of Satsuma mandarin mitochondrial genome and identification of cytoplasmic male sterilityspecific ORFs in a somatic cybrid of pummelo. Tree Genetics & Genomes (2020) 16:84. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11295-020-01480-w
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: 11. Yao, L., Yu, Q., Huang, M., Song, Z., Grosser, J.W., Chen, S., Wang, Y. and Gmitter, F.G. 2020. Comparative iTRAQ proteomic profiling of sweet orange fruit on sensitive and tolerant rootstocks infected by Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus. PLoS ONE, doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0228876.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Corte LE-D, Mendes BMJ, Filho FAAM, Grosser JW, Dutt M (2020) Functional characterization of full-length and 5? deletion fragments of Citrus sinensis-derived constitutive promoters in Nicotiana benthamiana. In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology - Plant 56 (3):280-289.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: 2. Mahmoud LM, Grosser JW, Dutt M (2020) Silver compounds regulate leaf drop and improve in vitro regeneration from mature tissues of Australian finger lime (Citrus australasica). Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC) 141 (3):455-464.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: 3. Qiu W, Soares J, Pang Z, Huang Y, Sun Z, Wang N, Grosser J, Dutt M (2020) Potential Mechanisms of AtNPR1 Mediated Resistance against Huanglongbing (HLB) in Citrus. International journal of molecular sciences 21 (6):2009
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: M Dutt, JM Soares, JW Grosser (2020) Boosting the Citrus Trees Immunity to Combat Huanglongbing. October issue of Citrus Industry Magazine, Vol. 101 No. 10.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: M Dutt and J Grosser (2020) Growing Finger Limes in Florida? What have we learnt so far. July issue of Citrus Industry Magazine, Vol. 101 No. 7.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: J Grosser, F Gmitter and K Bowman (2020) New rootstocks in the citrus breeding pipeline. July issue of Citrus Industry Magazine, Vol. 101 No. 7.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Y Wang, F Gmitter and J Grosser (2020). Rootstock and scion affect orange juice flavor. July issue of Citrus Industry Magazine, Vol. 101 No. 7.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: RS Ferrarezi, WS Castle, KD Bowman, JW Grosser, SH Futch, S Rogers and A Gonzalez (2020). How to use the Citrus Rootstock Selection Guide. July issue of Citrus Industry Magazine, Vol. 101 No. 7.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: U Albrecht, S Kumar and J Grosser (2020). Rootstock effects on Valencia and Hamlin in large-scale commercial plantings. July issue of Citrus Industry Magazine, Vol. 101 No. 7.
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: https://crec.ifas.ufl.edu/citrus-research/rootstock-field-data/