Current AgroSource research and development efforts are concentrated on abscission agent technology. Abscission agents are compounds designed to loosen fruit from the tree or plant just prior to harvesting – technology that will be used with the increasing adoption of automated harvesting in high-value specialty crops.

To help Florida citrus growers remain competitive in the world market, AgroSource is developing an abscission agent specifically designed for use with citrus mechanical harvesting equipment. Each season, an increasing number of Florida juice oranges are harvested mechanically; a trend driven by the high cost of hand harvesting, the limited availability of labor, and the disparity in labor costs with global competitors.

Put simply, citrus abscission agents increase the efficiency of mechanical harvesting equipment by allowing mechanical harvesters to capture a larger percentage of fruit from the tree in less time and with greater ease. And because harvest costs represent the largest portion of production costs, increased harvest efficiency by use of an appropriate abscission agent is expected to provide substantial cost savings to the industry.

AgroSource, in cooperation with the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC), has already investigated and selected a suitable abscission agent for citrus. This selection was based on results of extensive research by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences over several years and a clear understanding of the needs of the industry. Currently, AgroSource is pursuing formal registration of this compound with the United States Environment Protection Agency (EPA). As with all agrochemicals, this product must go through stringent testing and evaluation in support of its registration and ultimate commercialization. If all goes according to schedule, this product is expected to be registered by the EPA and commercially available to growers as early as 2011.