The U.S. Department of Agriculture Monday announced a $9 million research grant to the Citrus Research and Development Foundation to support fighting citrus greening, or HLB. The following report is from Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack, Florida Senator Bill Nelson and Mike Sparks with Citrus Mutual discussing the importance of the research grant and the overall Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.
Here is a summary of the citrus greening grant:
This project presents research targeting the elimination of Huanglongbing
(HLB) as an economic threat to US citrus production by blocking the ability of the psyllid insect to move the causative agent of this disease between infected and healthy trees. The primary long term goal of this project is to interfere with the spread of HLB within citrus orchards where HLB disease is established and to interfere with the invasion of disease organism into areas where the insect that transmits the causal agent is established, but in which HLB has not been detected, by strategically releasing a nuPsyllid population that is incapable of moving the disease. A further goal is to ensure the necessary adoption of the method by the social system of growers, and understanding and acceptance by consumers and the general public. Once established, this novel system of biological control would be operationally transferred to the citrus industries of U.S states (Florida, California, Texas and Arizona). Other ongoing support, if necessary, will be provided by the stakeholder organizations. Without control measures in hand, citrus growers have no incentive to replace infected trees or to replant entire orchards. The uncertainties associated with HLB will undermine the stability of the industry in currently HLB-free areas. A mid-term solution is crucial to maintain a profitable industry until citrus varieties with resistance to HLB can be developed and released.
THANK YOU to our LIVE Citrus Crop Forecast Coverage Sponsors!
Got Labor? Need Labor? Phone toll free 1-877-758-5035 Click here to contact Labor Solutions TODAY!
and
Rural America’s customer-owned lending partner. Phone toll free 1-800-432-4156 Click here to contact Farm Credit of Florida TODAY!