Bananas.org - View Single Post - USDA Creates Multi-Agency Emergency Response

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.

12-13-2013, 01:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
Funkthulhu Laeti vescimur nos subact Location: Omaha, NE Find me on the map! Zone: 5b Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 223 BananaBucks : 33,724 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 163 Times Was Thanked 330 Times in 145 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1 Times	Re: USDA Creates Multi-Agency Emergency Response 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. __________________ "Ph'nglui musaglw'nanna Funkthulhu R'Omahaea wgah'basjoo fhtagn" "In his house at Omaha, dread Funkthulhu plants bananas."