What’s the Latest on USDA Citrus Scion Breeding?
In its 120 year history, the USDA citrus scion breeding program has provided the mainstays of the Florida specialty citrus industry. The top six USDA specialty cultivars (‘Murcott’, ‘Sunburst’, ‘Minneola’, ‘Orlando’, ‘Fallglo’, and ‘Robinson’) account for 5.7% of total Florida citrus registered propagations in the last 30 years and comprise the vast majority of the Florida specialty citrus acreage. ‘Flame’ grapefruit and ‘Midsweet’ orange are also USDA releases and comprise 1.5% and 2.8% of all citrus propagations for the last 30 years, making all USDA scions ~9% of Florida citrus. 2014 Nov Issue