JUPITER, Florida -- July 3, 1997 -- Glades Crop Care, Inc., announced Monday that it has received a $210,000 USDA Small Business Innovation Research Phase II Grant.

The grant, titled "Commercial Implementation of Biointensive IPM in Pepper Production Systems", begins September 1, 1997, and provides funding over a two-year period. "Our Phase I grant made t possible for us to advance biological control of the melon thrips, Thrips palmi. "Phase II funding will provide Crop Care the opportunity to further develop biologically based management options for the full range of pepper pests currently facing growers," said Dr. Charles Mellinger, Glades Crop Care's Director of Research.

Dr. Mellinger went on to say, "Our research over the next two years will lead to an IPM system for farmers, with emphasis on system, for biologically based management of pepper pests in commercial pepper production fields. Our goal is an easily implemented system with managed components such as predators, parasites, refugia, and biorational control products. The system will include training and diagnostic aids for field scouts and advance pest management strategies needed to keep Florida production environmentally sound and our food safe. Glades Crop Care also foresees direct benefit of this system to other crops such as snap beans, cucurbits, and to other farming areas".

Madeline Mellinger, Glades Crop Care's founder and current president, said, "Developing this biologically based system is an appropriate extension and expansion of Glades Crop Care's twenty-four year old in-house research business. Our commitment has always been to provide sustainable IPM programs for vegetable, cane, and citrus growers. We feel confident we are headed in the right direction with our systems development work and welcome the support from the USDA in carrying our work forward".

For information on Glades Crop Care's research program and crop consulting services, contact Dr. Charles Mellinger at 561/746-3740.