Jan Narciso, Ph.D
Research Microbiologist

U. S. Horticultural Research Laboratory
2001 South Rock Road
Fort Pierce, FL 34945
Telephone: (772) 462-5848
Fax: (772) 462-5986
Email: Jan.Narciso@ars.usda.gov

Current Research Projects:

Our major project is citrus canker. In the field we are developing control methods and have been able to increase packout with our spray protocols. We are also active in working with the GAP group for new regulations on surface water usage for citrus. For the packinghouse, we are developing antimicrobial coatings for the line and active packaging to keep fresh fruit quality longer in storage and transit and also to remove any residual canker bacterial cells that may still be on the fruit. In the lab, the major studies also center around canker. We are looking at the chemical and microbial ecology of the lesion to find some way to break the production of more bacterial cells.