Caribbean Net News is reporting that Belize Citrus industry is fighting “the citrus greening disease”.

The disease has already been found in the north, east and south of Belize–the entire country is affected. Belize has called in experts from Florida to assist with developing a strategy to fight the plague.

Some Basic Information about Citrus Greening Disease:

• Also called yellow dragon disease
• One of the most damaging diseases of citrus crops
• Affects Asia and most of the Americas
• Caused by a bacteria

Symptoms:

• Blotchy mottling and yellowing of leaves
• Small, irregularly shaped, pale fruits with bad taste

Disease management

• Requires an integrated approach including use of clean planting and grafting stock
• Elimination of inoculum, and vector control in orchards and non-crop reservoirs
• Biological control by interplanting of guava is showing promise

More information about the disease can be found here.

Caribbean Net News: Belize citrus industry threatened by disease.

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