Explore the latest improved sweet orange cultivars that have been created by UF/IFAS’s citrus breeding program for Florida citrus growers.

The UF/IFAS citrus breeding program has released information about the newest improved sweet orange cultivars that aims to create better citrus varieties for Florida citrus growers. The latest cultivars were shared by UF/IFAS plant breeder Jude Grosser at a virtual presentation in mid-Judy, according to a Citrus Industry article. See the details below.

Improved Sweet Orange Cultivars

The article shared the following information on the improved sweet orange cultivars:

Hamlin Somaclone N13-32
“This new and distinct early-season clone of Hamlin has improved juice color and typical or better soluble solids for processing…”

Valencia Somaclones EV-1 AND EV-2
“These early-maturing varieties were released in 2016. They have matured during the early part of the Hamlin harvest period over the past three years. They have higher solids, juice color and ratio than Hamlin around Thanksgiving. Grosser said replacing Hamlin with early-maturing Valencia clones will increase juice quality…”

Valquarius
“Valquarius is an early-maturing Valencia for processing. It can be harvested mid-January through February, with typical Valencia quality.”

UF 11-1-24
“This early, seedless midsweet orange was described as extremely productive with excellent soluble solids.”

Valenfresh
“A seedless Valencia for fresh or processing, Valenfresh is late maturing and holds quality into June. It has been released for commercial production.”

B9-65 Valencia
“This orange for processing has high yield and high solids with typical Valencia maturity. The article maintains that “Grosser called it the best of 30 selections for yield and soluble solids in a trial at Conserv II. He described it as ‘an excellent choice if you’re going to grow Valencias … I have nothing but good things to say about it.’”

OLL Somaclones
“OLL-4 has late maturity comparable to Valencia. The fruit holds very well on the tree into the summer. It has excellent internal and external quality and exceptional juice quality, juice content and soluble solids. It is easier to peel than Valencia, so offers better fresh market potential. OLL-4 has been the highest yielding tree among the OLL somaclones.”

Additional new varieties on the way include “new clones of Vernia that mature Dec. 1, new clones of OLL oranges that mature Jan. 1, and true sweet orange clones with better HLB tolerance.” See the article for complete information.

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