New Developments in the

Australian breeding program

CT15017 Building a genetic foundation for Australia’s citrus future

Research team: Malcolm SmithDeb GultzowToni Newman

For now: Commercial release of a uniquely Australian hybrid

For the future: New opportunities in scion breeding

Todays talk:

First commercial release from the Mandarin Hybridisation Project!!

’11C017’ is now available for commercial plantings in Qld

Budwood with AusCitrus (Oct 2017) for southern plantings

11C017 is a low-seeded variant of 01C011

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11C001 11C003 11C011 11C012 11C012a 11C012b 11C013 11C017 11C018 11C019 11C020 11C021

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Seeds & productivity of 12 different mutations of 01C011(8 daughter trees of each mutation)

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11C001 11C003 11C011 11C012 11C012a 11C012b 11C013 11C017 11C018 11C019 11C020 11C021

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Seeds & productivity of 12 different mutations of 01C011(8 daughter trees of each mutation)

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BRS Mund2 Mund3 BRS Mund2 Mund3 BRS Mund2 Mund3

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Orchard

11C017

11C011

11C012

Three different low-seeded selections of 01C011

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BRS Mund2 Mund3 BRS Mund2 Mund3 BRS Mund2 Mund3

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11C017

11C011

11C012

Three different low-seeded selections of 01C011

Release ‘11C017’ because preliminary data and experience suggest it has commercial potential.

Mandarin Hybridisation Committee decision:

Pending release of ‘15C001’ and ‘12C009’ (when productivity confirmed).

More than 1,500 trees of Advanced Hybrids now in commercial test sites.Fruit displays this season.Grower field day anticipated June/July next year + major field day in 2021.

New opportunities in scion breeding:

Frost damageNew source of seedlessnessBlackspot resistance breedingMelanose screeningCanker resistanceFruit flyGall waspHLB

A874

CH3

CH376

CH380CH383

CH409CH410

D103

D266

D59

D77

E79

F116

F168F20

F45

F84

ICA3

JAP7

V28

14Q055

BUX16

BUX2BUX7

CH377

CH378

CH381

CH394

CH403

CH405

D122

D193

D234D60

F34

F47

F56

F66F67

F69

F94

ICA7

ICA8 ICA9JAP3

BUX13 CH374CH385

CH388 CH389

CH393CH402 CH418

CH421

CH428

D37

D9E233F108

F131

F43

F52

F68 F86

F92 ICA1

ICA2

ICA6

US812

BUX4

CH432

BarkleyBentonICA12

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Freeze Survival

Rootstocks with at least 5 reps

Severe frost (approx. -5°C) late August, no pre-conditioning.

Tree size matters, but there is a significant genetic component.

605 trees 138 rootstocks

Single generation seedlessness breeding

Within grasp!

Potential new genetic source discovered by the Australian breeding program in the 2018 season

Black spot resistant citrus?

Diverse germplasm and segregating hybrid populations in the Australian breeding program have made it possible to identify genetic resistance.

Potential new work to find molecular markers for this trait.

Collaboration: Andrew Miles, Nga Tran, Andre Drenth

Melanose: Minor disease, but does resistance exist?Can we screen seedlings?

Skin blemish ‘wind rub’?

Evolving spray programs

Collaboration: Andrew Miles

Testing Australian leaves in Vietnam

Testing at EMAI, NSW DPI

Citrus canker: Can we transfer resistance?Can we breed resistant varieties for the nursery and backyard trade?

Collaboration: Nerida Donovan, Grant Chambers, Nga Tran

Fruit fly: Does resistance exist within citrus varieties?Can we transfer resistance via breeding?

Collaboration: Brendan Missenden

2017

2018

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BRS21 BRS23 BRS25 BRS29 Apple/pear

Tota

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pae

Gall wasp: Can we infest seedlings?How does resistance segregate?

Collaboration: Dan Papacek, Graeme Sanderson

HLB: Improve eating quality using non-edible HLB parents.Building collaborations and exchange with international breeding programs.

New planting of Bundaberg hybrids, Fort Pierce, Florida. International citrus breeders in front of HLB tolerant ‘Sugar Belle’

THANK YOU

Professional adviceAndrew MilesGraeme SandersonNerida DonovanMark HoultPat BarkleyGrant ChambersNga TranAndre DrenthDan Papacek

Field-trial hostsBenhamsShepherdsTrottsPresslersUlcoqsBerthelsensSpencers

H&FS Royalty Fund

QDAF backupDavid InnesHelen HofmanMatt WebbNatalie DillonBrendan MissendenJustin Davies

Contributors to the breeding program during 2018

Committee MembersMandarin Hybridisation CommitteeQCIS CommitteeInternational colleagues