Citrus Greening evolving into a frightful threat for Florida growers
Citrus Greening evolving into a frightful threat for Florida growers
The confirmation of two citrus greening finds Sept. 2 in Homestead, FL, was bad enough news for those involved in Florida's $9 billion-a-year citrus industry, but by a week later, updates from APHIS National Plant Germplasm & Biotechnology Laboratory in Beltsville, MD, confirmed that it is much more widespread than originally thought.
The devastating disease, which first ruins fruit and then kills trees usually within five years of infection is carried from tree to tree by the citrus psyllid, an Asian insect species. In the early stages of the disease, trees cease to produce edible fruit.
Also known as Huanglongbing, which means "yellow dragon disease," citrus greening is thought to be the most serious citrus disease in the world. It is the major limiting factor for citrus production in parts of Asia and Africa, and considered an epidemic in several areas. It is currently widespread in Asia, Africa and the Saudi Arabian Peninsula. In July 2004, the disease was also discovered in S?o Paulo, Brazil. Citrus greening has not been found, however, in Australia or in the Mediterranean citrus production regions.
Denise Feiber, public information director for the division of plant industry for the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, said that as of Sept. 19, the department had surveyed 566 residential properties in South Florida for the disease.
We have covered 101 sections township ranges of one-square-mile and have taken 244 samples to the laboratory for analysis, said Ms. Feiber. We now confirmed positive finds in 37 trees in nine of the sections, and on a total of 26 properties. The discovery range includes Miramar in Broward County as the northern border, and Florida City in Miami-Dade as the southern border.
Although the confirmed finds of citrus greening appear to be concentrated in South Florida, Ms. Feiber noted that the agency is only two weeks into its investigation process. She said that the disease itself is relatively new to those who are tracking it in the state, and that every day new information about the disease and how it spreads is learned.
We are trying to move forward using the facts and not conjecture as our guide, she said. Every time we have a new confirmed find, our inspectors expand their investigation to a five-mile range, and then they resurvey to determine the wider edges of the diseases spread.
The confirmation of citrus greening earlier this month is not the first time it has been found in Florida. The disease was first discovered in Daytona Beach in 1998. Ms. Feiber said that it was probably brought into the United States from a foreign country on a citrus plant that someone felt would grow well in the region.
Perhaps it was hosted on a citrus variety that person particularly liked eating in his or her native country. Although the person probably did not know about the dangers involved, or even that the tree carried the insect, it is a reminder of why the laws restricting bringing plant material into the country are in place. Once damage such as citrus greening begins, often there is no turning back.
The devastating disease, which first ruins fruit and then kills trees usually within five years of infection is carried from tree to tree by the citrus psyllid, an Asian insect species. In the early stages of the disease, trees cease to produce edible fruit.
Also known as Huanglongbing, which means "yellow dragon disease," citrus greening is thought to be the most serious citrus disease in the world. It is the major limiting factor for citrus production in parts of Asia and Africa, and considered an epidemic in several areas. It is currently widespread in Asia, Africa and the Saudi Arabian Peninsula. In July 2004, the disease was also discovered in S?o Paulo, Brazil. Citrus greening has not been found, however, in Australia or in the Mediterranean citrus production regions.
Denise Feiber, public information director for the division of plant industry for the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, said that as of Sept. 19, the department had surveyed 566 residential properties in South Florida for the disease.
We have covered 101 sections township ranges of one-square-mile and have taken 244 samples to the laboratory for analysis, said Ms. Feiber. We now confirmed positive finds in 37 trees in nine of the sections, and on a total of 26 properties. The discovery range includes Miramar in Broward County as the northern border, and Florida City in Miami-Dade as the southern border.
Although the confirmed finds of citrus greening appear to be concentrated in South Florida, Ms. Feiber noted that the agency is only two weeks into its investigation process. She said that the disease itself is relatively new to those who are tracking it in the state, and that every day new information about the disease and how it spreads is learned.
We are trying to move forward using the facts and not conjecture as our guide, she said. Every time we have a new confirmed find, our inspectors expand their investigation to a five-mile range, and then they resurvey to determine the wider edges of the diseases spread.
The confirmation of citrus greening earlier this month is not the first time it has been found in Florida. The disease was first discovered in Daytona Beach in 1998. Ms. Feiber said that it was probably brought into the United States from a foreign country on a citrus plant that someone felt would grow well in the region.
Perhaps it was hosted on a citrus variety that person particularly liked eating in his or her native country. Although the person probably did not know about the dangers involved, or even that the tree carried the insect, it is a reminder of why the laws restricting bringing plant material into the country are in place. Once damage such as citrus greening begins, often there is no turning back.
