Micro-budding is a grafting technique used in the development of citrus trees. Like traditional grafting, there is a combination the hardy characteristics of a rootstock with the desired fruit of the budded region; however, micro-budding is done at a younger age, and because of apical hormonal dominance, the resulting citrus trees grow faster and bear fruit at an earlier stage (2 years) than traditional T-budded grafted trees (5 years to fruit).[1] It was developed in 1997 by Dr. Mani Skaria, a citrus scientist (retired) from the Texas A&M University - Kingsville Citrus Center.[2]

Cultivar varieties utilized for micro-budding are Meyer lemon, Eureka lemon, variegated pink lemon, Persian lime, Kaffir lime, Australian Finger lime, Mandarins, Rio Red grapefruit, Calamondin, and Kumquat trees.[3]

Micro-budding is used in commercial citrus groves. Because of the smaller sizes of the trees, they are utilized in high-density planting, reducing the land costs to growers, but producing a higher output of citrus fruit per acre.[4] Micro-budding may be used as a tool against the citrus greening disease, Huonglongbing, a significant challenge to the citrus industry.[5][6]

References

  1. ↑ Alam, Naeem, et al. “Early Age Propagation of Three Commercial Citrus Species Through Microbudding Technique” Researchgate.net,  Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 1 Mar. 2006, www.researchgate.net/publication/242585595_early_age_propagation_of_three_commercial_citrus_species_through_microbudding_technique
  2. ↑ Santa Ana, Rod. “Skaria Honored for Novel Contributions to the Citrus Industry.” Themonitor.com, The Monitor, 27 Feb. 2016, www.themonitor.com/news/business/article_3c88ab30-e420-11e5-ad9e-e7f4116b1036.html.
  3. ↑ Rettke, Dennis M. “Citrus Scientist Aiming to Help US Citrus Industry with Micro-Budding.” FreshPlaza: Global Fresh Produce and Banana News, 1 May 2018, www.freshplaza.com/article/193703/Citrus-scientist-aiming-to-help-US-citrus-industry-with-micro-budding.
  4. ↑ Sauls, Julian. “Texas Citrus - Orchard Establishment.” Texas Citrus and Subtropical Fruits, Texas A&M University, 7 Jan. 2008, aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/citrus/L2306.htm.
  5. ↑ M. SKARIA] (1), R. Hanagriff (2) "Micro-budded citrus: A new production system for huanglongbing management." APS Abstract of Presentation(1) Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Weslaco, TX, USA; (2) Texas A&M University-Kingsville Citrus Center, Weslaco, TX, USA. Phytopathology 99:S120.
  6. ↑ Santa Ana, Rod. “Retired Scientist Ignites 'Orange Revolution' to Fight Citrus Greening.”Https://Today.agrilife.org/, AgriLife Today, 21 Nov. 2013, today.agrilife.org/2013/11/20/high-density-micro-budded-orchard/.
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