Texas A&M Citrus Scientist Proposes Orange Revolution

Threats to the industry may force changes
October 13, 2008
Writer(s): Rod Santa Ana, 956-878-8317,r-santaana@tamu.edu
Dr. Mani Skaria holds a young micro-budded Rio Red grapefruit tree in his left hand and the fruit from a 2.5 year old micro-budded tree in his right. (Photo by Rod Santa Ana III, Texas AgriLife Communications.)
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Contact(s): Dr. Mani Skaria, 956-447-3368, mskaria@ag.tamu.edu
Dr. John da Graca, 956-968-2132, JDaGraca@ag.tamu.edu
Barbara Storz, 956-968-1026, bstorz@ag.tamu.edu

WESLACO -- A scientist in Weslaco thinks it’s time for a citrus revolution. He says he has the tools to help growers survive today’s adversities by making major changes and improvements in the way they produce fruit.

Dr. Mani Skaria, a plant pathologist at the Texas A&M-Kingsville Citrus Center at Weslaco, said planting ultra-high density orchards with micro-budded trees has the potential to rescue the nation’s stressed citrus industry.

“I call it the ‘Orange Revolution,’ and this is the time to do it,” Skaria said. “When things are not going right, it’s time to make a change. Using these strategies, citrus growers can increase profits while saving time, space and money. It will help them survive the challenges that threaten the industry today.”

Those threats include new citrus diseases, hurricanes, freezes, soaring land prices, urbanization, labor shortages and ecological factors, Skaria said.

“We have to look at the ...

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