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Pick up Louisiana citrus at roadside stands and in local markets and groceries from now through the holidays. The 2009 crop is one of the best in recent years, says Alan Vaughn, LSU AgCenter agent in Plaquemines Parish, the leading citrus-producing parish in the state.
He said the discovery of the Asian citrus psyllid in Louisiana, an insect that caused extreme concern for citrus growers, has had no economic impact on this year’s citrus crop.
The insect has been confirmed in seven parishes in south Louisiana, but the potentially destructive greening disease that it carries has only been found in two parishes – Orleans and Washington. Neither parish is known for citrus production.
Vaughn said the Plaquemine Parish government has joined the fight against the Asian Citrus Psyllid that has caused great concern among citrus growers in the state.
“The Plaquemines Parish government has funded the helicopter spraying of commercial citrus groves and backyard growers, which has been very helpful,” he said. “They were forward-thinking when they funded the spray operation, which serves as an insurance policy for farmers.”
Vaughn said keeping pest numbers down now is important.
Natalie Hummel, LSU AgCenter entomologist, said the greening disease got its name from the condition it causes.
“Once a tree has the greening disease, the fruit will be half-green, which in turn means a decline in quality,” she said.
Hummel said there are at least three ways the pest is being attacked in Plaquemines Parish.
“Homeowner trees are being treated with CoreTect tablets, which are embedded into the soil under the citrus trees. Commercial groves are being sprayed by helicopter, while organic growers are using oil treatments to prevent infestation,” she said.
Hummel said LSU AgCenter agents and specialists are working with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and homeowners to monitor the psyllid and the greening disease.
“Despite the alarm caused by this insect, Louisiana should again produce a quality crop of the most sought-after varieties of citrus,” Vaughn said.
Satisfying Satsumas
A tasty treat is a satsuma mandarin grown in Louisiana. Satsumas have a distinctive, sweet flavor and a loose skin that makes them easy to peel – especially for children. Early-season satsumas are usually green with a hint of yellow in the peel. Later varieties are orange.
Washington Navel Orange
The most widely available Louisiana-grown fruit is the Washington navel orange. This seedless variety begins to ripen in November. The large Louisiana navel has a deep orange color and a thin skin. These oranges are easy to peel and really juicy.
Along with navels and satsumas, Louisiana orchards also offer lemons, grapefruit and kumquats. So enjoy the entire spectrum of Louisiana citrus throughout the season.
Louisiana Citrus
Louisiana citrus is a $5 million industry in the parish with 52,000 trees, and with more than 700,000 trees being sent to South Carolina each year. There are no restrictions on shipping the trees other than they must be treated first.
“Plaquemines Parish has about 500 acres in citrus with about 100 growers. Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes combined have about 150 acres, and there are 10 to 12 other parishes with five or fewer growers each,” he said.
Most of the state’s growers are small-scale, part-time operations while a few commercial growers have many acres. Many of the smaller growers sell directly to the public through roadside stands at or near their orchards as well as from the backs of trucks parked alongside the highway. A few larger growers sell to grocery stores, where their produce is in competition with products from across the country and throughout the world.
A continuing quarantine of Florida citrus to other citrus-producing states means Louisiana fruit continue to be a best buy, Vaughn said.
Because of the type of produce they grow, Louisiana citrus producers’ markets are geographically limited to Louisiana and adjoining areas of Texas and Mississippi. Competing with large commercial operations in Florida, Texas, California and Mexico, the Louisiana growers depend on early harvests and sales to local consumers when they can command premium prices.
Citrus Tips
–Look for firm, heavy fruits with smooth skins free from soft spots.
–Don’t let color be your only guide. Even skins with light green color can hide ripe fruit.
–Citrus will keep several days at room temperature or for several weeks in the refrigerator in vented plastic bags or vegetable bins.
–Small fruit can be just as juicy and sweet as larger fruit.
–Navel oranges make excellent juice, but acids make the juice bitter within four hours. Drink it fresh!
–Lemon juice frozen in ice cube trays and stored in plastic bags will provide “fresh” lemon juice for many months.
The LSU AgCenter is one of 11 institutions of higher education in the Louisiana State University System. Headquartered in Baton Rouge, it provides educational services in every parish and conducts research that contributes to the economic development of the state. The LSU AgCenter does not grant degrees nor benefit from tuition increases. The LSU AgCenter plays an integral role in supporting agricultural industries, enhancing the environment, and improving the quality of life through its 4-H youth, family and community programs.