Project Number: 6618-21000-013-02
Project Type: Trust

Start Date: Oct 25, 2007
End Date: Mar 31, 2009

Objective:
Accomplish genetic change of citrus germplasm to develop rootstocks and scions having enhanced tolerance of environmental stress, resistance to diseases and pests, and improved yield and fruit quality.

Approach:
Identify genetic sources of desirable traits and combine these into useful rootstock and scion cultivars through hybridization and transformation. Develop techniques to overcome genetic barriers to enhancing tree health and longevity, disease and pest resistance, environmental adaptation, and fruit yield, quality, and appearance. Develop new rootstocks and scions, select and evaluate under various climatic and cultural conditions for apomictic reproduction, graft compatibility, tree size control, favorable effect on fruit yield and quality, tolerance of flood, drought, cold, soil salinity, soil alkalinity, resistance to viruses and bacterial disease, root rots, weevils, nematodes, and blights.