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.
Due to a collapse in our inoculum trees, we are psyllid inoculating trees for these experiments and will start the greenhouse portion of the study in Spring 2022.
Objective 2: Field test multiple acidification materials including organic acids for tree response CLas suppression, nutrient uptake, and root and vascular pH changes
We have marked out plots for our experiments at two sites on 15-year old and 14-year-old trees. we collected soil and leaf tissue samples for preliminary analysis. We have also applied elemental sulfur, sulfuric acid, fulvic acid and humic acid in August and September 2021. We determined canopy and trunk size and PCR measurements to establish baseline. We will determine root density responses and root PCR every 6 months.
We have also recruited two postdoctoral associates to help with data collection and documentation of the results.
2. Please state what work is anticipated for next quarter:
In the next quarter we will wait for psyllid or bud inoculated trees to develop initial symptoms before testing for CLas for objective 1. We will apply more acidifying products in January 2022.
3. Please state budget status (underspend or overspend, and why):
Now the budget spending is on track.