BONITA SPRINGS, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Certis USA, the leader in biopesticides, has donated $20,000 to the Citrus Research and Development Foundation, Inc. (CRDF) to help fund the non-profit’s research aimed at finding a cure for huanglongbing (HLB; citrus greening). For the third year “Certis for Citrus” has used sales from their top citrus products to help find a solution to one of the industry’s most serious issues.
The check was presented by Dr. Michael Dimock, Certis USA Vice-President of Field Development to CRDF officials, Rick Dantzler, COO, and Larry Black, Board President, at the organization’s board meeting held during the Florida Citrus Industry Annual Conference at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point in Bonita Springs, Fla. on June 12.
“We are grateful to be part of the CRDF’s goal of finding a cure for HLB through our annual “Certis for Citrus” program,” said Mike Allan, Certis USA Vice-President, North America.
“The Florida citrus community has overwhelmingly supported and used Kocide® as an important part of controlling bacterial and fungal diseases in growers’ orchards. Certis USA is pleased to contribute to the research efforts to enhance disease control options through our annual donation to the CRDF.”
Under the “Certis For Citrus program” Certis USA has made a donation to CRDF based on every pound of Kocide® 3000-O or Kocide® 2000-O copper fungicide purchased by a Florida citrus grower in the year prior.
“The Citrus Research and Development Foundation is very grateful to Certis USA for its continuing support. Their efforts help growers maintain production in this difficult citrus- growing environment,” said CRDF COO, Rick Dantzler.
As the industry frontrunner in the development of biopesticide solutions, Certis USA’s portfolio includes several products with proven efficacy in controlling diseases that affect citrus production. According to Allan, a new product will soon be available for Florida citrus growers’ arsenals.
“Certis USA has been successfully harnessing the power of bacteriophages to combat bacterial diseases and resistance issues with our AgriPhage® family of products, including AgriPhage® Bactericide for tomato speck and spot disease and AgriPhage® CMM for bacterial canker on tomatoes,” says Allan.
“In Florida, citrus growers will soon be able to capture that power through the integration of AgriPhage™ Citrus Canker into their existing canker-control program.”
Growers who are interested in any of Certis USA’s portfolio of products should contact their local dealer or www.certisusa.com.
About Certis USA
Headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, Certis USA is a leading manufacturer and distributor of a broad line of biopesticide products for specialty agricultural and horticultural markets and the home and garden market. Certis USA products provide valuable solutions by meeting the challenges faced by today’s growers. For more information about Certis USA, visit CertisUSA.com and follow the company on Facebook and Twitter.
About Citrus Research and Development Foundation, Inc.
In April 2009, the National Academies of Science, at the request of the Florida Department of Citrus, formed the National Research Committee on Strategic Planning for the Florida Citrus Industry: Addressing the Citrus Greening Disease (Huanglongbing). At the same time, the forward-looking citrus industry in Florida initiated the Citrus Research and Development Foundation. When the National Research Council’s report was published in March, 2010 it included a recommendation that one organization be identified and empowered to have oversight responsibility over HLB research and development efforts.
The Citrus Research and Development Foundation is a non-profit corporation organized under Florida State laws as a Direct Support Organization of the University of Florida.
The Mission of the Foundation is to “Advance disease and production research and product development activities to ensure the survival and competitiveness of Florida’s citrus growers through innovation”.
The organization is headed by a 13-member Board of Directors that includes individuals from industry, academia and government. The COO handles the day-to-day management of business affairs, and Project Managers oversee the research and commercial product delivery project portfolios.
AgriPhage™ is a registered trademark of OmniLytics.
