1. Please state project objectives and what work was done this quarter to address them:
The research objective is to determine if synthetic Plant Defense Inducers could provide additional benefits after a second year of applications for season long suppression of HLB following OTC injections or improve yield and quality of harvest in infected trees. These foliar applications could potentially protect trees during the months where OTC injections are not allowed and provide resistance management for OTC with a different mode of action. In addition to disease assessments, determination of citrus vigor, fruit drop, yield and fruit quality will be important to provide growers with tools for sustainable citrus production under Florida conditions.
– Research trial plot maintenance continues on a monthy basis.
– Individual tree leaf samples for PCR analysis was collected and sent to the Southern Gardens Diagnostic Laboratory in December 2025 to determine Liberibacter levels.
– PCR leaf data from the October 2025 sample date has been received from the HLB testing lab.
– Data analysis continues for the 2025 season to date.
– In December tree growth parameters were collected including tree height, width, and canopy volume. Individual tree vigor was also evaluated.
2. Please state what work is anticipated for next quarter:
– Data analysis and interim report writing will continue.
– The end of February or sometime in March, indivual tree fresh weight yield will be collected. BRIX content will also be determined with the harvested fruit samples.
3. Please state budget status (underspend or overspend, and why):
Quarterly budget of $20,875.00 according to funding schedule.