John Chater
0000-0003-2145-2498

Specialist

CREC profile

Publications

Florida Citrus Rootstock Selection Guide, 5th Edition

John M. Chater, Kim D. Bowman, Jude W. Grosser, Stephen H. Futch, Flavia Zambon, Ute Albrecht, and William S. Castle

This updated 5th edition of the Florida Citrus Rootstock Selection Guide (FLCRSG) is a revision of the 2019 publication. The guide is a convenient, easy-to-use reference to 33 characteristics of over 50 rootstocks. Of those, 15 are time-honored commercial rootstocks (highlighted in blue), which are the most reliably characterized. The next rootstocks are minor commercial ones (highlighted in green) that are less frequently used today in Florida but may have been prominent at one time. The third group consists of the most recently released rootstocks (highlighted in yellow) for which there is limited commercial experience. The new addition includes three new USDA rootstocks and updates information on a few traits.

2025–2026 Florida Citrus Production Guide: Rootstock and Scion Selection

Ute Albrecht, Fernando Alferez, John M. Chater, and Mongi Zekri

2025–2026 Florida Citrus Production Guide

thumbnail for publication: Evaluating Pomegranate Cultivars for Resistance to Anthracnose Fruit Rot, a Severe Fungal Disease in Florida and Southeast United States

Evaluating Pomegranate Cultivars for Resistance to Anthracnose Fruit Rot, a Severe Fungal Disease in Florida and Southeast United States

Alexander Schaller, Zhanao Deng, Gary E. Vallad, and John M. Chater

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) has primarily been cultivated at home in Florida and other southeastern states. Over the past 15 years, growers, nurseries, researchers, and Extension agents have explored the potential of pomegranate as an alternative fruit crop. Early field trials revealed that pomegranates are highly susceptible to Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, causing severe anthracnose fruit rot and premature fruit drop. The development and use of disease-resistant cultivars are considered some of the best methods to manage this disease. This publication presents our findings from evaluating 35 pomegranate cultivars under natural disease pressure in central Florida and by artificial inoculation. The susceptibility of such pomegranate cultivars varied widely, with six exhibiting resistance to anthracnose fruit rot. More comprehensive research is warranted to further develop anthracnose-resistant cultivars and to enhance our understanding of disease resistance in this crop.