1. Please state project objectives and what work was done this quarter to address them:
Objective 1: Destroy declining plant material with no direct use to the citrus industry to make space for Stage I and Stage II trials (Years 1 and 2).
Space created from germplasm removal activities have made tree spaces for more trials and other plantings. Many tree spaces that were made available from grove removal activties have been replanted with trails or promising accessions from the breeding program. Trials that have been planted previously are under management, some of which are from other projects, including a project with trials designed by the Coca Cola Company. More material is slated to be pushed during this final quarter to make even more room for trials and other promising breeding material. The total citrus acreage pushed and/or abandoned and slated to be pushed during this project reporting period is 15.1 acres.
Objective 2: Conserve, move, consolidate, and propagate tolerant and resistant citrus trees to a centralized location. (Years 1 and 2).
Trees are ready to plant in spring 2026 after the last threat of freeze (in March). The planting of these trees is the final significant activity of this project. Trees have been spaded and after the threat of freeze, more trees will be spaded. We will propose to purchase a larger spade to collect the largest, healthiest specimens for consolidation because the USDA spade is not useful for moving the largest HLB tolerant specimens.
2. Please state what work is anticipated for next quarter:
Tree spading and removal of additional material for space for more Stage II trials. Planting of propagated trees in a consolidated block at the CREC.
3. Please state budget status (underspend or overspend, and why):
The budget is just a little overspent due to the no-cost extension, but is largely on track (86% time spent versus 94% funding expended). We are set to have expended all or nearly all funds in an efficient manner.
1. Please state project objectives and what work was done this quarter to address them:
Objective 1: Destroy declining plant material with no direct use to the citrus industry to make space for Stage I and Stage II trials (Years 1 and 2).
Space created from germplasm removal activities have made tree spaces for more trials and other plantings. Many tree spaces that were made available from grove removal activties have been replanted with trails or promising accessions from the breeding program. Trials that have been planted previously are under management, some of which are from other projects, including a project with trials designed by the Coca Cola Company. More material is slated to be pushed during this final quarter to make even more room for trials and other promising breeding material. The total citrus acreage pushed and/or abandoned and slated to be pushed during this project reporting period is 15.1 acres.
Objective 2: Conserve, move, consolidate, and propagate tolerant and resistant citrus trees to a centralized location. (Years 1 and 2).
Trees are ready to plant in spring 2026 after the last threat of freeze (in March). The planting of these trees is the final significant activity of this project. Trees have been spaded and after the threat of freeze, more trees will be spaded. We will propose to purchase a larger spade to collect the largest, healthiest specimens for consolidation because the USDA spade is not useful for moving the largest HLB tolerant specimens.
2. Please state what work is anticipated for next quarter:
Tree spading and removal of additional material for space for more Stage II trials. Planting of propagated trees in a consolidated block at the CREC.
3. Please state budget status (underspend or overspend, and why):
The budget is just a little overspent due to the no-cost extension, but is largely on track (86% time spent versus 94% funding expended). We are set to have expended all or nearly all funds in an efficient manner.
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Lake Alfred, FL 33850
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