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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Parlier, California » San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center » Crop Diseases, Pests and Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #432766
Research Project: Breeding Prunus and Vitis to Improve Disease Resistance, Fruit Quality, and Climate Change Adaptation

Location: Crop Diseases, Pests and Genetics Research

Title: Re-birth of the USDA-ARS citrus breeding program in California

Author
item Krugner, Rodrigo
item Riaz, Summaira
item Wallis, Christopher

Submitted to: Citrograph
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/29/2026
Publication Date: 6/10/2026
Citation: Krugner, R., Riaz, S., Wallis, C.M. 2026. Re-birth of the USDA-ARS citrus breeding program in California. Citrograph. available: www.citrusresearch.org

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Citrus growers in California are navigating a convergence of pressures: prolonged drought and salinity challenges, evolving pest and disease threats including the looming risk of Huanglongbing (HLB), increasing labor coasts, and fast-shifting consumer preferences for seedless fruit, vibrant color, and consistent flavor. To address these challenges, a new public–private initiative anchored at the USDA-ARS San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center (SJVASC) in Parlier, California, is accelerating evaluation and breeding for fresh-market citrus specifically adapted to California’s production realities. The new program blends federal appropriations with sustained support from the California Citrus Research Board (CRB), aligning national research capacity with local needs and delivering a pipeline of next-generation scions and rootstocks for growers.