The UF/CREC Citrus Breeding and Genetics Program is currently focused on 4 compelling and critical objectives: 1. Development of rootstocks that can impart HLB tolerance/resistance to grafted scions. 2. Breeding of HLB tolerant/resistant processing sweet orange-like hybrids. 3. Screening of the UF-CREC germplasm collection to identify and validate HLB tolerant or resistant selections. 4. Advanced field trials, release and commercialization of promising HLB tolerant/resistant scion and rootstock cultivars. This project is a continuation of previous citrus breeding and genetics efforts, with a heightened and renewed emphasis on developing cultivar options for Florida citrus growers that can enable a greater likelihood of sustained viability and profitability in the face of endemic HLB. The project began on 1 November 2015. In the late autumn and early winter, we collected data from several ongoing field trials of rootstock cultivars throughout the state. Trees were assessed for HLB incidence and severity through all plantings, and yields and fruit quality was determined in selected replicated trials. Hybrid families planted in the field were evaluated to identify selections producing fruit that resembled sweet orange in appearance, and exhibiting few or no HLB symptoms. Fruit from the best of these were tested for juice quality and a few were also analyzed for volatile components and compared with standard sweet orange. Fruit samples were provided to a major juice company for processing and assessment of the juice for flavor. The entire collection of raw material produced by the breeding program and growing in groves at several different locations throughout the growing areas of Florida were assessed for HLB symptoms, to identify a subset of individuals displaying few or no symptoms of HLB, regardless of parentage. A new large field trial with more than 20,000 trees on over 100 previously identified and new rootstock candidates was prepared and planted.