A new app that helps citrus growers decide on the most suitable varieties to plant is expected to soon be launched in Spain. 

The app aims to facilitate the selection of the most suitable varieties to plant in each farm bloc by taking into account the conditions of the land, according to Huelva Información.

It is being developed as part of a public-private initiative and was presented at a recent conference in held in Cartaya.

"The system takes into account information related to the climate, water and soil as well as any data particular to the land," said the Cartaya City Council.

The app aims to bring together information about the different commercial varieties of mandarin, orange, lemon and grapefruit, as well as their respective rootstocks.

It would also use existing varietal information published by the Valencian Institute of Agrarian Research, as well as private companies.

The technology is expected to organize each area's climatic and pedagogical information and offer information on potential combinations with rootstocks, among other information, with the ultimate goal of improving the future prospects of the citrus industry.

It will be financed by the Gocitrus group with support from Spain’s Ministry of Agriculture (Mapama).

The tool was described as "very positive" by the president of the Huelva Citrus Growers' Association, Lorenzo Reyes, adding "it will serve the sector to determine the most suitable varieties for each case and for decision-making".

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