In Jiangxi province, China, a fruit grower named Li Ningxian observed in 2004 that some Nanfeng oranges were maturing roughly six weeks earlier than the norm. Despite initial challenges with the sugar content stability, Ningxian collaborated with Yi Hualin, a citrus breeding expert from Huazhong Agricultural University College of Horticulture & Forestry Sciences, starting in 2019. With support from local government, they focused on enhancing soil, irrigation, pruning, and pest control practices.
By late 2022, their efforts culminated in the recognition of the Guiyuehong variety by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People's Republic of China, maturing 40 to 50 days ahead of traditional counterparts. This development could ease harvest logistics and improve economic outcomes for growers. The Nanfeng orange, known for its appealing characteristics and a history spanning 1,700 years, has faced market challenges since 2015, including quality inconsistency and competition.
To address these challenges and revitalize the Nanfeng orange, a project led by Cao Li from Southwest University and Hualin's team has been initiated, employing both conventional and advanced breeding methods like gene editing. This initiative aims to enhance the Guiyuehong variety and develop new generations of Nanfeng oranges with desirable traits. A 300-acre demonstration orchard in Nanfeng serves as the testing ground for these endeavors.
The project's broader objective includes crossbreeding to combine the best characteristics of Nanfeng oranges with those of other high-quality varieties. This effort is part of a larger strategy to overcome issues plaguing China's citrus industry, such as variety degradation and market saturation. Hualin and his team, by conducting annual inspections and exploring solutions to climate-related challenges, play a pivotal role in the ongoing research and development aimed at introducing innovative citrus varieties nationwide.
Source: Citrus Industry