Citrus Canker

Citrus Canker distributed by last summer’s hurricanes continues to raise alarm throughout the citrus industry. Canker in PRVCGA’s territory continues to be detected. While any detection is tragic to impacted growers, it appears our territory has been fortunate as compared to the Indian River (IR) production area. Detection of citrus canker in the IR area can only be described as epidemic proportions.

Eradication staff is stretched thin due to the urgency of removing newly detected incidences, the need for survey of the immediate areas around the detections and simply a lack of personnel.

Below are maps showing all quarantines established within our territory. Looking at the first map, you can see four quarantines. The largest is the newest, expanded last week, covering 16.57 miles.

The other three quarantines shown on that map are either past due for release or due to be released soon.

The Arcadia office has been short handed, sending staff to the IR area. However that staff has been pulled back into DeSoto County to survey these three quarantines one final time. If no infection is detected all three quarantines will be released together, hopefully in the next week. As soon as we receive notice we will notify our growers.

The map in the middle reflects the current quarantine known as Farabee Grade. This quarantine may be enlarged since more citrus canker has been recently detected.

PRVCGA growers have met with canker officials including a program pathologist to discuss the size of quarantines and replanting within quarantined areas. Discussion focused on areas outside of the 3,800 arc, yet a part of the squared quarantine. At the meetings close, there was an agreement that quarantines should remain at the squared 3,800, with increased surveys outside of the quarantine. No consensus was reached on replanting. The department agreed to work with PRVCGA staff to pursue the issue.

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