Florida Southern College (FSC) has rehabilitated two historic citrus groves on its Lakeland campus, converting them into “living laboratories” designed to test innovative production strategies and fight citrus greening.
Key Details of the Initiative
- Combating Citrus Greening (HLB): The central challenge facing Florida’s citrus growers is Huanglongbing (HLB), a bacterial disease transmitted by the Asian citrus psyllid that weakens and kills citrus trees. The new groves serve as practical evaluation sites for disease-resistant technology and protective growing methods.
- Industry Partnerships:
- Phillip Rucks Nursery provided the primary tree stock, utilizing rootstock varieties engineered for higher resistance to HLB.
- Citrus Service, Inc. (Mike Hurst) supplied protective mesh tree tents (individual protective covers) that prevent psyllids from feeding on young, vulnerable saplings.
- Hands-On Experiential Learning: Students in FSC’s Horticulture, Land, and Resource Management programs work alongside faculty (including Dr. Shea Keene) to monitor rootstock performance, tree growth, and pest management in real-time.
- Historical Roots: Built on the site of a former citrus grove when the college moved to Lakeland in 1921, FSC has a long history with the industry, having established one of the nation’s first collegiate Citrus Institutes in 1947.
The project aims to provide scalable, research-backed tools that commercial growers across Florida can adopt to revitalize the state’s signature agricultural sector.
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