The citrus orchards threatened

A disease without any remedy threatens citrus orchards of Florida

Florida citrus are under the worst threat of their history. Disease "citrus greening" with no known cure, infects 32 counties of Florida citrus growers.

Discovered in 2005, the disease progressed inexorably from south to north of the state. It is transmitted by an insect no bigger than a pinhead, called the Asian citrus psyllid, flying from tree to tree. The leaves turn yellow and then fall off, leaving a sparse foliage. Oranges become bitter and misshapen.

All the efforts to combat the disease have so far failed. Only one hope: scientific research to combat the disease, to which the producers devoted 60 million $, the state of Florida 8 million $, a senator has just obtained $ 11 million of federal funds.

source : new york times com