St. Paul, Minn. (July 10, 2007) - The latest on the rapid spread of citrus greening within Florida and its potential to spread into California and other citrus growing areas will be presented during a news conference on plant diseases and issues that are of importance to California's economy and agriculture. The news conference will be held Monday, July 30 at 11 a.m. PST at the Town and Country Resort and Convention Center in San Diego, CA.
Citrus greening or huanglongbing (yellow shoot) is considered one of the most serious threats to the citrus industry. A bacterial disease, citrus greening affects all types of citrus species and causes infected trees to yellow, decline, and possibly die within a few years of infection. Spread by an insect, the Asian citrus psyllid, citrus greening has significantly impacted citrus production in Asia, Africa, and Brazil.
"The threat of this disease spreading to other citrus-growing states definitely exists, especially in places where the Asian citrus psyllid is already found," said Ronald Brlansky, plant pathologist at the University of Florida, Citrus Research and Education Center. In California, researchers are continually looking for evidence of the citrus psyllid. If it is found there, citrus trees will need to be closely monitored for disease symptoms.
Citrus greening can only be managed, not completely controlled. By reducing the psyllid population through the use of insecticides, the spread of the disease may be lessened. Growers are urged to become familiar with the symptoms of huanglongbing, to scout for the symptoms and to send in samples for testing.
Citrus greening has spread from eight to 23 counties since it was first found in Florida just a little more than a year and a half ago. Once citrus trees are infected, the fruit yield, rate, and quality are greatly reduced. The trees also become susceptible to other diseases and health problems. In some areas of Brazil, citrus greening has affected as much as 70 percent of the fruit rate and yield.
To participate in news conference by telephone, call 866.814.7512 and enter code 2082906#. The news conference takes place during the joint meeting of The American Phytopathological Society (APS) and the Society of Nematologists (SON) that runs July 28-Aug. 1, 2007. Visit http://meeting.apsnet.org for more information on the meeting. Media are extended complimentary meeting registration by contacting Amy Steigman at asteigman@scisoc.org or +1.651.994.3802.
APS is a non-profit, professional scientific organization. The research of the organization's 5,000 worldwide members advances the understanding of the science of plant pathology and its application to plant health. SON is an international organization formed to advance the science of nematology in both its fundamental and economic aspects.