Jim Hughes

Widespread Citrus Disease Compels Grower to Take Action Through a Gift in His Estate

Jim Hughes’ vision is within sight. At press time, IFAS researchers developed a promising treatment.

Jim Hughes was worried. When the citrus greening bacteria arrived in Florida nine years ago, he watched fellow growers lose their entire groves - everything they had - to the microscopic invader. His father's and his cousins' groves were at risk, too.

Many citrus growers are still in a panic over the stranglehold the disease has on their livelihoods. Jackie Burns, director of UF's Citrus Research and Education Center, confirms their fears: About 75 percent of all commercial citrus groves in Florida have been infected. Tiny insects carry the bacteria from tree to tree. It attacks roots then spreads to leaves, causing fruit to fall off prematurely. It's cost Florida's citrus industry $4.5 billion in revenues since 2006.

But Jim, whom friends described as a quiet, considerate problem-solver, had a vision. Research was the answer, he told Jackie just before he died last fall. "He said, ‘If we don't do something, this industry will cease to exist,'" Jackie recalls.

"He had high hopes that IFAS (UF's Institute for Food and Agricultural Sciences) scientists would find a solution." Jim staked some of his life's earnings on that belief. In his will, he donated his land to the Lake Alfred research center Jackie directs in Polk County, home to the highest density of citrus groves statewide.

His gift doubled the amount of research space at that facility, accelerating efforts to combat greening on three main fronts.

"Because of Mr. Hughes' gift, we are in the process of planting the most promising [citrus tree varieties] that we think have the best opportunity for tolerance of the bacteria," Jackie says.

The second approach is thermotherapy, which involves heating the tree to a certain temperature to kill the bacteria inside. UF engineers at Lake Alfred are building machines that can do this quickly and on a commercial scale, Jackie says.

Thirdly, IFAS' vast network of ag experts are deploying demonstrations on new production systems that grow citrus in almost half the time, in hopes of replacing infected groves.

"We wouldn't be able to do this in a research setting if it weren't for Mr. Hughes' donation," Jackie says. "He was such a fine man - a wonderful gentleman who was so keenly in tune with the needs of the industry. I am honored to receive his gift and strive to make his vision come true."