The California citrus industry is holding its collective breath these days as the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) – the carrier of the citrus greening – steadily spreads through the groves of the San Joaquin Valley and the backyard gardens of Los Angeles and surrounding cities.
Aside from a single incidence of an infected ACP two years ago, the disease itself has yet to be detected in the state. That’s the good news. The bad news is that wherever ACP has become established – which appears to be the case in Southern California – citrus greening disease has inevitably followed.
A recent USDA report projected that Florida grapefruit production for the current season would turn out to be one of the lowest-ever recorded during a non-hurricane year.
Citrus greening introduced via the Asian citrus psyllid is the suspected cause. To date, the disease is responsible for the elimination of more than 6,600 jobs, US$1.3bn in lost revenue to Florida’s growers and US$3.6bn in lost economic activity.
