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Valencia Advanced Production System [APS] Rootstock Trial, LaBelle
Dr. Bill Castle
Dr. Fred Gmitter
Dr. Jude Grosser
March 24, 2021 - updated
November 18, 2020 - updated
November 22, 2019 - updated
September 6, 2019 - posted
CREC Citrus Plant Improvement
Valencia APS Rootstock Trial, LaBelle - Description
To evaluate rootstock potential for higher density planting [10 x 20 ft.; 218 trees/acre], Valencia trees on 31 rootstocks were established in the cooperator’s old field nursery site in the flatwoods west of Highway 29, south of LaBelle. The site was first surrounded with a windbreak combining Eucalyptus and red cedar plants, then a fertigation system operated via drip irrigation was installed. The Valencia trees were propagated onto rootstocks from California, Spain and the CREC. This trial is part of a larger set of trees involving Vernia and Valencia planted on US 897, C-35 or Swingle at either 8 x 15 feet or 10 x 20 feet.
Valencia APS Rootstock Trial, LaBelle - Summary
- Location: Felda, Hendry County
- Scion: Valencia
- Rootstocks: 31
- Date planted: November 2009 and March 2010
- Design: Randomized complete-block; 4-10 replications
- Plot size: 4 trees
- Spacing: 10 x 20 ft. = 218 trees/acre
- Drip fertigation
- Data:
- 2012/13: Yield [pounds fruit/tree]
- 2013/14: Yield [boxes/tree], juice quality, PS/acre
- 2014/15: Yield [boxes/tree]
- 2015/16: Yield [boxes/tree], juice quality, PS/acre
- 2017/18: Yield [boxes/tree]
- 2018/19: Yield [boxes/tree], HLB rating, juice quality, PS/acre
- 2019/20: Yield [boxes/tree], HLB rating
- 2020/21: Yield [boxes/tree], HLB rating, juice quality, PS/acre
- 7-year cumulative yield [boxes/tree]
- 4-year cumulative PS/acre
- Trial status: ACTIVE
Valencia APS Rootstock Trial, LaBelle - Interpretive Summary
This summary covers the period from the beginning of cropping to the 2020-21 season. The Valencia trees on 31 rootstocks were planted in November 2009 at 10 x 20 ft. in a replicated trial.
- Yield in the 2nd crop year ranged from 0.5 to 2.0 boxes/tree; in later years, yield ranged from 1.0 to 2.5 which probably represents tree cropping at a mature stage, i.e., canopy containment for the 10 x 20 ft. spacing. Maximum yield of 3.0 boxes/tree was obtained in the 2018-19 season when the trees were about 8 years old. Thereafter, 2 to 3 boxes/tree appeared to be a reliable, stable yield which @ 218 trees/acre is about 430-650 boxes/acre.
- Cumulative yield over 7 seasons ranged from 6 to 11 boxes/trees with trees on 7 rootstocks producing 9 or more boxes [Fig. 38].
- Juice quality. The outcomes were not greatly influenced by rootstock. Brix was usually around 8-12 and varied only 10-15% among the trees on 31 rootstocks. Typical PS/box were generally low, about 5-6. Because sampling took place between February and May in any given year, it was likely a factor exceeding the effect of rootstock on juice quality.
- HLB visual symptoms were rated in 3 seasons. The results were variable within rootstock, but the relationship among rootstocks was unchanged from season to season, i.e., the trees on those rootstocks that rated low [more HLB symptoms] remained in that position and likewise for those trees that rated high [Figs. 18, 27, 29].
- Rootstocks used in this trial with Valencia scion did not produce dramatic differences in the variables measured; nevertheless, considering primarily cumulative PS and cumulative yield, there were some consistencies suggesting the following rootstocks be evaluated further:
- UFR 4
- 11-5-6
- 6-6-29
- RB 24-16
- B11-R1-T37