Published 2017-05-15
Abstract
There have been many outbreaks of citrus canker, caused by Xanthomonas citri, in Florida. The first significant find was in 1912 in Manatee County and after burning millions of trees the disease was declared eradicated in 1933. Re-occurrences have occurred in 1986 in Manatee County and a separate introduction in Miami-Dade County in 1993. Huanglongbing, or citrus greening, was first discovered in southern Miami-Dade County by the staff of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Division of Plant Industry in August 2005. Both diseases have caused significant reductions in the area planted and overall citrus production. Citrus greening, which is vectored by the Asian citrus psyllid is an ever increasing threat to Florida’s signature industry, since all citrus varieties are susceptible, there is no absolute cure and recent estimates show that 90% of Florida’s groves are infected. After the FDACS destroyed 13 million trees infected with citrus canker in 2004–05 at a cost of $875 million, the disease was declared endemic and growers are now “living with” both citrus canker and citrus greening. The author attempts to offer practical strategies for control or tactics to mitigate the symptoms of infection that can improve tree health under specific circumstances. Citrus canker and citrus greening are treated separately.