1. Please state project objectives and what work was done this quarter to address them: Objective 1: Study the changes in the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and investigate the correlation between ROS accumulation, sucrose levels and callose deposition in early season sweet oranges Budded trees from Hamlin, Parson Brown and Roble sweet oranges have been infected with CaLas through stick grafting. Initial qPCR results indicate that 80% of the trees infected have tested positive for Clas. Samples will be obtained from trees during November for further investigations. We will also sample trees from stakeholder plots for comparison with the greenhouse evaluation. Objective 2: Quantify fruit drop and canopy yield efficiency in Parson Brown as compared to Hamlin. Understand the underlying mechanism of better fruit retention and yield efficiency in Parson Brown as compared to Hamlin. This experiment has been initiated and trees have been tagged at a grower – cooperator plot. Objective 3: Determine the mechanism underpinning the tolerance of Parson Brown to HLB by leaf volatiles and non-volatile metabolite analysis using GC-MS. The metabolite and leaf voliatile assay has been completed and the results are being analysed. Objective 4: Evaluate other early season sweet oranges We have sampled our experimental trees once and subsequent leaf samples will be collected in the Fall (November) for this objective. 2. Please state what work is anticipated for next quarter: Fruit drop studies will be intiated on field trees. Also, results obtained in objective 3 will be analysed in detail. 3. Please state budget status (underspend or overspend, and why): We are on track with the budget now. A postdoc has been hired to work on several of the parameters in this project from the second quarter.