1. Please state project objectives and what work was done this quarter to address them: As activities have been gradually resumed after COVID-19 pause, we have been able to accomplish the work that was scheduled. These are: Objective 1. Assessing tree growth and absence of psyllids and HLB disease symptoms (including CLas bacteria titer) under protective covering (i.e., IPC). As in the last quarter, we have continued monitoring trunk diameter and canopy area. Trunk diameters in IPC covered trees continue to show greater diameters with statistical significance. All IPC trees are still HLB-negative and show less incidence of canker. We have continued monitoring the incidences of other pests and psyllids. After IPC removal in August 2020, we have been monitoring CLas infection of the uncovered trees in real time (monthly). We have not found significant results yet. Objective 2. Assessment of alternative netting approaches involved in targeted, alternated or patterned setup of IPC in groves for more cost-effective protection. As stated in our last report, after planting the new 700 trees last quarter in an alternated pattern we are monitoring for CLas in trees adjacent to the IPC-covered trees. Also, we are collecting data on psyllid populations and HLB incidence from a few commercial collaborators who are also evaluating different netting layouts under the CRAFT program. These results will yield more significant and quantifiable data in spring and early summer, when psyllid populations are yypically more abundant. Objective 3. Monitoring the transition from vegetative to reproductive stage in the covered trees as compared to the uncovered. We are collecting data on parallel experiments at SWFREC, Hendry Co, and Central Florida using Bingo, Early Pride, and Tango trees. These experiments will allow us to determine the ability of these varieties to set fruit in the absence of pollinators. We are seeing differences in fruit set. For instance, Early Pride and Tango are able to set fruit in a pollen free environment, but GA application increases this capacity. This effect is more evident in SugarBelle mandarins. Objective 4. Comparing IPC with CUPS-like systems. We followed up on the experiment we performed last season on the effect of deficit irrigation in all the varieties; in our last quarterly report we communicated what we saw, that is we can control blooming: we saw more bloom and fruit st inside CUPS and IPCs after applying deficit irrigation. We have seen a significant increase in yield and also, unexpectedly in fruit internal quality and peel color. We plan to continue these treatments as they may help develop better color in varieties resistant to degreening. Outreach activities performed in this quarter: -Alferez, F. Individual Protective Covers (IPCs): Ventajas y Problemas (In Spanish). Invited talk at the Citrus IPM Forum, November 25, 2020, University of Puerto Rico.-Protected citrus growing systems: from healthy trees to high quality fruit. F. Alferez, SWFREC Zoom seminar series, October 2020.-F.Alferez, Citrus greening. Where are we now? Invited talk at the Southeast Regional Master Gardener Volunteer Virtual Conference 2020. September 2020.-Canopy growth and physiological assesment of Valencia orange trees with and without protective covers. Gaire,S, Alferez, F and Albrecht, U. Presented at FSHS annual meeting, October 2020. This communication won the third position award in the Best Student Oral Presentation Competition.-Batuman, O. Individual and direct contact with CRAFT applicants to establish and evaluate IPC trials for psyllid and HLB control. Publications:-Individual Protective Covers for Psyllid Exclusion and HLB Disease Prevention in Young Trees. Fernando Alferez, Susmita Gaire, Ute Albrecht, Ozgur Batuman, Jawwad Qureshi and Mongi Zekri. Citrus Industry Magazine, November. -Gaire, S., Albrecht, U., Batuman, O., Qureshi, J., Zekri, M., Alferez, F. 2020. Horticultural performance of citrus trees grown under Individual Protective Covers (IPCs). Manuscript ready to be submitted to HORTSCIENCE 2. Please state what work is anticipated for next quarter: Objective 1.We will continue monitoring parameters described in the first section. Also we will monitor HLB progression after IPC removal in the first experiment.Objective 2. We will continue collecting data on psyllid populations and HLB incidence in the different netting layoutsObjectives 3 and 4.We will finish collecting data on fruit quality and yield for this sesaon and apply new irrigation deficit treatments. Outreach: -Individual Protective Covers’ by Alferez, F, Gaire, S., Albrecht, U., Batuman, O., Qureshi, J., Zekri, M., IN PREPARATION,to be submitted to EDIS. 3. Please state budget status (underspend or overspend, and why): We have spent about 60% of the budget. This is putting us on track of spending after COVID pause.Budgeted amounts for salaries and student stipend and tuition are being spent as predicted.