1. Please state project objectives and what work was done this quarter to address them:
Objective 1: Determine effects of lowered soil pH on CLas populations and root physiology including internal root apoplast and vascular tissue pH.
We got our experiment in rhizotrons completed in September 2023. Sample processing and data analysis is under way.
Objective 2: Field test multiple acidification materials including organic acids for tree response CLas suppression, nutrient uptake, and root and vascular pH changes. In this quarter, we continued root sampling and soil pH determinations. We request 6-month extension because will need to collect fruit yield and juice quality data in March/April 2024.
2. Please state what work is anticipated for next quarter:
A poster on Objective 1 will be presented at the Soil Science Society of America annual meeting in St. Louis, MO.
3. Please state budget status (underspend or overspend, and why):
The budget is on track and meeting the project milestones. However, we plan to request a no-cost extension so as to collect a fourth harvest in 2024 and also owing to some delays we had in executing the greenhouse portion of the project due to changes in project leadership.