A NEW CITRUS DISEASE COULD DESTROY FLORIDA GROVES

 

photo: Jason Henry

 A new scourge has arrived on American shores, and it has the potential to wipe out the entire Florida citrus industry.

The disease, called Citrus Greening, is derived from a bacterial growth or Asian origin. It was first identified in Florida in 2005, but its extent has become almost pervasive in Florida groves.  

It most affects the fruit, causing it to shrivel and brown, before dropping.  Its preferred target however, seems to be the orange tree. 

This year, the disease has already cut harvest yield by 10%. In the long run, the disease could threaten the entire Florida Citrus industry. 

Florida's citrus industry is worth 9$ billion dollars, and is second only to Brazil. 

This scourge is the most threatening problem so far for the growers. It by far exceeds the destructive potential of any natural disasters or previous pathologies. 

What is worse, the disease does not manifest itself right away, remaining dormant for a few years before it develops and cripples the fruit bearing potential of the trees. 

The infection comes from a tiny insect, which deposits the bacteria on the trees. They also are very mobile, going from one tree to another, thereby greatly increasing the potential for spreading.

Almost every effort to stop the disease so far has been met with failure. 

Some Orange growers have already abandoned or destroyed their field, fearing the complete collapse of the sector.  

Scientists are waiting until next year to see if the march of the bacteria is sustained or if this year's drop in yield was due to concomitant factors. 

Source : Scientific American  5.10.13