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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Pierce, Florida » U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory » Subtropical Plant Pathology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #184435
Title: LONG DISTANCE SPREAD OF CITRUS CANKER RELATED TO HURRICANES AND TROPICAL STORMS

Author
item Gottwald, Timothy
item RILEY, T.D. - USDA-APHIS

Submitted to: Proceedings of Florida State Horticultural Society
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/1/2005
Publication Date: 6/1/2005
Citation: Gottwald, T.R., Riley, T.D. 2005. Long distance spread of citrus canker related to hurricanes and tropical storms. Proceedings of Florida State Horticultural Society.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Asiatic citrus canker (ACC) is a serious disease of citrus that causes foliar and fruit lesions leading to extensive yield and quality losses. During Fall 2004, Florida experienced 3 hurricanes (Charlie, Francis, Jeanne) and one tropical storm (Ivan) whose paths crossed the majority of the commercial citrus industry. Prior to these storms, ACC infections were known to exist only in Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Cos. in southeastern Florida. Following the storms, New ACC outbreaks have been discovered in four major citrus producing areas, Orange/Osceola Cos., Lee Co., Hillsborough Co., Polk Co. and Treasure Coast=Indian River/St. Lucie/Martin Cos., the latter was the only area not previously detected with ACC. Disease gradients were calculated were possible and associated with various storms. Survey and assessment of all outbreaks lead to the discovery of 15 infections (4 commercial and 11 residential) that predated the storms and served as inoculum sources for storm-related spread. Residential disease gradients ranged from 1-12.7 km; the most extensive in St. Lucie Co. which experienced direct hits by 2 category 2 hurricanes with > 193 km/h winds and one tropical storm. Commercial disease gradients extended from 1.4-19.3 km. All gradients may have been complicated by post hurricane mechanical spread as well. These results are consistent with calculated storm-related disease gradients prior to 1999 of > 11.6 km in south Florida.