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July 18, 2008
Dangerous Pest Threatens Availability of California-Grown Citrus
The recent discovery of the dangerous Asian Citrus Psyllid just four blocks south of the San Diego-Tijuana border has caused alarm within the citrus industry – and it is asking homeowners to help stop the pest from invading California.
Homeowners Encouraged to Inspect Backyards Grow Citrus for Asian Citrus Psyllid...
Today, the California Citrus Research Board and speakers from the USDA, California Department of Food and Agriculture, the University of California and the San Diego County Agricultural Commissioner’s office met with growers and other citrus industry leaders about the Asian Citrus Psyllid, which can be a carrier of the fatal citrus tree disease, Huanglongbing, also known as HLB and Citrus Greening Disease.
The meeting also included the introduction by the California Citrus Research Board of a new consumer-oriented Web site – CaliforniaCitrusThreat.org – that reminds consumers to inspect for the psyllid monthly or whenever watering, spraying, pruning or tending trees and especially during times of active growth. It also offers photos and tips for visual inspection for the pest.
In addition, the site educates consumers about HLB, a bacterial plant disease that – while not harmful to human health – destroys production, appearance and value of citrus trees, and taste of their fruit and juice. Once a tree is infected with the disease, there is no cure and the tree will eventually die.
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“The disease is most likely to infect California citrus by the Asian Citrus Psyllid, meaning presence of the psyllid is a sign of danger,” said Ted Batkin, California Citrus Research Board president. “The pest has now been detected as close as the San Diego-Tijuana border and has been intercepted at various points in California in packages of fruit and plants, including cut flowers. The threat is now greater than ever.
“In addition to working within the industry, we’re calling on consumers, who can play a crucial role in helping us fight the psyllid and the disease, which is a death sentence for California citrus trees.”
The Asian Citrus Psyllid – an aphid-like insect that feeds on the leaves of citrus trees and other citrus-like plants – has already caused devastation in Asia, India, parts of the Middle East and South and Central America. It has even been found domestically in Hawaii, Texas, Louisiana and Florida. In Florida, the psyllid and HLB are ravaging the citrus industry, destroying acres of trees and putting the state’s $9.3 billion citrus industry at risk.
“We need to keep this tragedy from happening in our backyards,” said Batkin, who notes that California produces 26 percent of the nation’s citrus, following only Florida in production. “The best way to do this is to have citrus tree owners visually inspect for the harmful pest.”
For tips on how to identify the Asian Citrus Psyllid, visit CaliforniaCitrusThreat.org for more information and to find your local Agricultural Commissioner’s office. Alternatively, consumers can contact the California Department of Food and Agriculture hotline at 800/491-1899.
SAN DIEGO, CA–July 18, 2008
Posted by fortna at July 18, 2008 11:54 AM
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