Vol. 130 (2017): Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society
Krome Memorial Institute (Tropicals)

Suppressing Laurel Wilt through Collaboration and Education

Published 2017-06-15

Abstract

Since its introduction into the avocado groves of South Florida in 2012, the deadly fungus, Raffaelea lauricola, or laurel wilt is directly or indirectly responsible for the loss of roughly 4% of the 7,000 acres of avocado groves in South Florida. A 4% loss of trees represents a significant hit to the $54 million avocado industry. Because of the devastating impact of the disease, it is currently being suppressed by a collection of strategies to limit the root-to-root movement of the pathogen among adjacent avocado trees and suppression of ambrosia beetle vectors. Scientists from University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), U.S. Department of Agriculture–Agricultural Research Service, and other institutions and extension educators from UF/IFAS and the University of California–Riverside are collaborating with local growers and regulatory agencies (i.e., the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services–Division of Plant Industry) to address this disease.