SPECIALTY CROP RESEARCH INITIATIVE.

SEC. 7305. SPECIALTY CROP RESEARCH INITIATIVE. (a) Industry Needs.—Section 412(b) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7632(b)) is amended— (1) in paragraph (1)— (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) through (E) as subparagraphs (C) through (F); and (B) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following: “(B) size-controlling rootstock systems for perennial crops;” ; (2) in paragraph (2), by striking “including threats to specialty crop pollinators;” and inserting the following: “including— “(A) threats to specialty crop pollinators; “(B) emerging and invasive species; and “(C) a more effective understanding and utilization of existing natural enemy complexes;” ; (3) in paragraph (3)— (A) by striking “efforts to improve” and inserting the following: “efforts— “(A) to improve” ; (B) in subparagraph (A) (as so designated), by adding “and” at the end; and (C) by adding at the end the following: “(B) to achieve a better understanding of— “(i) the soil rhizosphere microbiome; “(ii) pesticide application systems and certified drift-reduction technologies; and “(iii) systems to improve and extend the storage life of specialty crops;” ; and (4) in paragraph (4), by striking “including improved mechanization and technologies that delay or inhibit ripening; and” and inserting the following: “including— “(A) mechanization and automation of labor-intensive tasks in production and processing; “(B) technologies that delay or inhibit ripening; “(C) decision support systems driven by phenology and environmental factors; “(D) improved monitoring systems for agricultural pests; and “(E) effective systems for preharvest and postharvest management of quarantine pests; and” . (b) Authorization of Appropriations.—Section 412(k)(2) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7632(k)(2)) is amended— (1) in the subsection heading, by striking “2018” and inserting “2023”; and (2) by striking “2018” and inserting “2023”.