ARS Citrus Rootstocks: A Success Story
The United Nations General Assembly designated 2021 as the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables. This issue of Down on the Farm takes a look at one of ARS’s major contributions to fruit production: citrus rootstocks.
Remember that old commercial that declared, "A day without orange juice is like a day without sunshine"? Thanks to the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), consumers can enjoy "citrus sunshine" whenever they like. Begun by USDA more than a century ago, the citrus research program has helped to ensure a bounty of not only oranges, but also grapefruits, mandarins, lemons, and more.