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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Pierce, Florida » U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory » Subtropical Insects and Horticulture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #244333
Title: US EARLY PRIDE

Author
item McCollum, Thomas
item Hearn, C

Submitted to: Germplasm Release
Publication Type: Germplasm Release
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/16/2009
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The Agricultural Research Service Department of Agriculture, hereby releases for propagation the US EARLY PRIDIE citrus scion selection, formerly tested as 1-62-122. US EARLY PRIDE resulted from irradiation of Fallglo budwood by C.J. Hearn in 1991 at the U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory in Orlando, FL. It was selected by C.J. Hearn in 1995 and has bee tested at the A.H. Whitmore Citrus Research Foundation Farm in Lake Co., Florida since that time. A small number of US EARLY PRIDE trees have been evaluated at the U.S. Horticultural Laboratory farm in St. Lucie Co. US EARLY PRIDE has not been evaluated outside of Florida. Fruit of US EARLY PRIDE are essentially identical to Fallglo with the exception of being seedless and slightly smaller. Whereas Fallglo fruit average 30 to 40 seeds per fruit, US EARLY PRIDE fruit typically are completely seedless, although some fruit may have as many as six seeds. US EARLY PRIDE fruit average 2.96 inches in diameter. The fruit have an oblate shape, flattened at the apex and usually with a small navel on the blossom end. The calyx is usually retained on the fruit when picked. The rind surface is smooth, but has prominent oil glands. The rind averages 1/8 to 3/16 inches thick and is easily removed. Rind color is Mikado orange to Salmon orange when fruit mature. There are 12 to 13 segments which separate easily. Segments of US EARLY PRIDE tend to be less prone to rupture than are those of Fallglo. Flesh color is zinc orange and fruit are juicy with a flavor typical of Fallglo. Juice is highly colored and is suitable for juice blending. US EARLY PRIDE trees are moderately vigorous, thornless, upright and slightly spreading with a fruit crop and fairly dense foliage. Fruit typically reach commercial maturity by mid-October and maintain good quality on the tree through about mid-November. Data on fruit yield is limited, but based on visual estimation the trees appear to be equivalent to Fallglo. Based upon observation of trees growing in the field at the A.H. Whitmore Citrus Research Foundation Farm, US EARLY PRIDE appears to be only moderately cold hardy. Data on yield, quality and consumer acceptance of US EARLY PRIDE fruit are available upon request. Small quantities of US EARLY PRIDE budwood are available from Dr. Greg McCollum, U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory, 2001 South Rock Road, Fort Pierce, FL 34945. Propagules of US EARLY PRIDE have been deposited with the Florida Department of Plant Industry Bureau of Budwood Protection and the National Plant Germplasm system where they will be available for research purposes.