University of Arizona Citrus Agricultural Center (AZ CAC)
14642 N Perryville Road
Waddell, AZ 85355
602-255-3316 PH
602-546-1715 FX
This 40-acre facility is used mainly for research but also to demonstrate the latest varieties and methodology in growing and maintaining citrus, deciduous trees and vine crops. Research includes variety evaluation, nutrition, water use and requirements, frost protection, rootstock evaluation, pest and disease control, organic growing methods, and dwarfing techniques.
Citrus varieties for research include Kinnow mandarins; Fairchild tangerines; Campbell Oldline valencias; Minneola tangelos; Redblush, Texas Star, Flame and Rio Red grapefruit; and Parent Washington, U of A number 2, Fukumoto and Fisher navel oranges. These varieties are budded on various rootstocks that are represented on commercial farms in Maricopa County. They are irrigated using one of the three types of irrigation systems: flood, high pressure drip or microjet, or the low pressure bubbler system that is demonstrated on the farm.
Deciduous nuts and fruits include pecans, almonds, pistachios, apples, peaches, apricots, figs, nectarines, pears, berries (blackberries, raspberries, boysenberries, and blueberries), grapes, jujube, jojoba, and date palms.
A million and half gallon water storage pond is used to raise fish (tilapia, catfish and koi) and for irrigation purposes.