Michael Burton

Relevant Work Experience

2005-2006 – Associate Technical Service Advisor, FMC FoodTech, Fort Pierce, FL.

• Developed and assisted in implementation of food safety practices in Citrus Packinghouses.
• Advised customers on fungicide practices to manage resistance, and minimize decay.
• Analyzed new wax formulations for viability in the market.

2001-2005: Biological Scientist (Postharvest  Research lab), Indian River Research and Education Center, Fort Pierce, FL.

• Participate in trials involving preharvest fungicides to prevent postharvest decay, heat treatments to prevent postharvest decay, and compost effects on postharvest decay.
• Maintain Florida Citrus Resources and University of Florida
• Assisted in start up of UF/IRREC Postharvest facility.

2000-2001: Lab Technician (Citrus Horticulture lab), Indian River Research and Education Center, Fort Pierce, FL.

• Participated in studies to improve citrus fruit quality, improving citrus tree health, citrus rootstock selection trials, fruit thinning and improving pesticide spray practices.

1995-2000: Lab technician (Citrus Entomology lab), Indian River Research and Education Center, Fort Pierce, FL.

• Took part in research projects developing biological control techniques for Citrus Leafminer and Diaprepes abbreviatus root weevil.

Research Publications

Powell CA, Pelosi RR, Burton MS, et al. Natural field spread of decline and nondecline inducing isolates of citrus tristeza virus in Florida after the introduction of the brown citrus aphid 
Hortscience 40 (3): 691-693 JUN 2005

Ritenour MA, Pelosi RR, Burton MS, et al.  Assessing the efficacy of preharvest fungicide applications to control postharvest diseases of Florida citrus 
Horttechnology 14 (1): 58-62 Jan-Mar 2004

Ritenour, Mark, Robert Pelosi, Michael Burton, Ed Stover, Huating Dou, Greg McCollum. 2004. Ability of preharvest-applied fungicides to reduce naturally-occurring postharvest decay in Florida citrus. . HortTechnology. 14. pp. 58-62

Stover, Ed, Robert Pelosi, Michael Burton, Scott Ciliento, Mark Ritenour. 2004. Performance of Oroblanco and Melogold pummelo x grapefruit hybrids on nine rootstocks on a calcareous poorly drained soil. . HortScience. . pp. -1—1

Stover, Eddie, Robert R. Pelosi, Michael S. Burton, Scott Ciliento. , Mark A. Ritenour. 2004. Performance of 'Oroblanco' and 'Melogold' on nine rootstocks in Florida's Indian River region.. HortScience. 39. pp. -1—1

Stover, E. W., Ciliento, S.M., Burton, M.S. 2000. GA3 application timing and rate in fall and winter influences bloom period, flowering intensity, and final crop in several Florida citrus varieties. ISC Congress 2000 p. 156.

Certificates

Licensed Pesticide Applicator- FDACS