Mandarin Shows Increased Tolerance To Greening

While citrus greening disease has blemished the Florida industry, University of Florida scientists have developed a mandarin hybrid that seems to be winning the battle. Now, researchers are learning what makes this fruit a fighter.

UF/IFAS researchers have discovered that a mandarin hybrid developed by colleagues contains cellular activity — known as metabolites — that makes it more able to fend off greening than most other types of citrus.

That's hopeful news in the state's battle against the disease that's severely damaging Florida's multimillion dollar-a-year industry. It also furthers the evidence that 'LB8-9', also known as 'Sugar Belle®', is a good, greening-tolerant mandarin hybrid. In 2016, Florida citrus nurseries grew more 'Sugar Belle' trees than any other mandarin hybrid except for one, demonstrating grower interest in the variety, said UF/IFAS horticultural sciences professor Fred Gmitter.

To read the rest of the story, please go to: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences