Greening disease is a threat to Phoenix citrus trees.
Citrus greening disease is caused by a bacteria carried by the Asian citrus psyllid. As of July 2010, the disease had not identified in Arizona. Several psyllids, however, have been trapped near Phoenix. Does this Spark an idea?
The Spread of Greening Disease
Greening disease has not yet been detected in Phoenix. Some industry experts say it is inevitable that the disease will show up there-given the spread of the disease throughout the southern United States and Mexico.
Backyard Growers
When the disease reaches Phoenix, area homeowners may lose their backyard citrus trees. They will have no option but to cut down and destroy the trees.
Citrus Industry
Greening disease will not wipe out the citrus industry in Arizona. The cost of growing citrus, however, will become more expensive with efforts to eradicate the disease, which in turn will result in higher market prices for citrus fruits.
Quarantine
Phoenix merchants, distributors and growers cannot purchase citrus from Yuma County, the state’s largest citrus producer, because it is under quarantine due to the presence of the Asian citrus pysllid. Citrus trees from quarantined areas in or out of Arizona cannot be transported into Phoenix.
Prevention
There is no cure for greening disease. The only way to prevent it from reaching Phoenix is to not move host plants from diseased areas into the city, and even that may not be 100 percent effective.
Tags: Asian citrus, disease will, Greening Disease, Greening disease, trees Citrus
