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ez
12-12-2013, 06:33 PM
USDA Creates Multi-Agency Emergency Response Framework to Combat Devastating Citrus Disease

HLB, also known as citrus greening, is named for the green, misshapen, and bitter-tasting fruit it causes. While this bacterial disease poses no danger to humans or animals, it has devastated millions of acres of citrus crops throughout the United States and abroad. In the United States, the entire States of Florida and Georgia are under quarantine for HLB, and portions of California, Louisiana, South Carolina and Texas are also under quarantine for the disease. The U.S. Territories of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are under HLB quarantines as well... USDA Creates Multi-Agency Emergency Response Framework to Combat Devastating Citrus Disease | USDA Newsroom (http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2013/12/0238.xml&contentidonly=true)

http://www.hungrypests.com/img/the-threat/watch-thumbs/CitrusGreening1.jpg
Huanglongbing on mandarin oranges (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huanglongbing)

Richard
12-12-2013, 09:19 PM
and people wonder why I use pesticides, here in the middle of it all.

sal
12-13-2013, 11:09 AM
Concern grows over disease in Valley groves - Valley Morning Star : Local News (http://www.valleymorningstar.com/news/local_news/article_396c1ae8-fe47-11e2-b33b-0019bb30f31a.html)

It has already stuck South Texas. I heard on the radio that it was found in San Juan and Mission. I think I am going to start spraying mine. What type of spray should I use?

sal
12-13-2013, 12:41 PM
Citrus Alert - Preserve Our South Texas Citrus (http://www.citrusalert.com/)

Here is another site that helps you identify citrus greening and the insects that causes it.

Funkthulhu
12-13-2013, 01:49 PM
If it's possible to see the positive in this...

At least when we see a disease like this rolling through a monoculture the result is often more varied selection of fruits later.

It took awhile after the Gros Michel for the cavendish to fill the niche, but now that we have that recurring threat on the horizon I'm seeing more varieties of nanners at the market. I hope to see many more in the near future.

I've only recently seen some of the more interesting citrus at the stores the last few year, but I'm looking forward to more. (I "discovered" the Pomelo a few years ago and now can't wait for every December to roll around so I can gorge myself) As the growers realized they really are up crap-creak without a paddle, they'll be more inclined to plant more varieties to create a stronger orchard for the next generation of production. It's harder for a disease to spread when each tree is surrounded by other citrus that isn't its genetic clone, or even the same variety.

That being said, I hope this new taskforce can come up with a stop-gap measure to at least greatly slow the spread of the disease. But I suspect we will not see the end of it until all susceptible trees have been purged.

sunfish
12-13-2013, 03:27 PM
Genetically modified HLB-resistant citrus trees move to field trials - The Grower (http://www.thegrower.com/news/citrus-greening/121663929.html)

Funkthulhu
12-13-2013, 04:52 PM
Genetically modified HLB-resistant citrus trees move to field trials - The Grower (http://www.thegrower.com/news/citrus-greening/121663929.html)

GMO FTW! :08:

Richard
12-14-2013, 02:31 AM
If it's possible to see the positive in this...

At least when we see a disease like this rolling through a monoculture the result is often more varied selection of fruits later. ...

The virus infects all citrus varieties in an equally disastrous way. Interestingly enough, the favorite host plant of the pest that carries the virus is not citrus, but the Curry Leaf Plant (Bergera koenigii (http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?7011)).

RogerEvenBove
12-14-2013, 02:42 AM
Here are two relevant articles.




Get your fill of bananas now; they're about to get destroyed by fungus
There are replacement bananas in the works, but apparently they taste kind of like apples.
BY SARAH LASKOW
Get your fill of bananas now; they’re about to get destroyed by fungus | Grist (http://grist.org/list/get-your-fill-of-bananas-now-theyre-about-to-get-destroyed-by-fungus/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Daily%2520Dec%252013&utm_campaign=daily)



Is it time to say 'bye-bye' to the banana? (http://news.msn.com/science-technology/is-it-time-to-say-bye-bye-to-the-banana)

ez
12-14-2013, 05:42 PM
Reactions from California Growers Seeing Citrus Devastation in Florida published on Dec 4, 2013
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