STRENGTH IN NUMBERS: Cooperative citrus pest-control effort in Florida sparks optimism

摘要

Cooperative efforts among growers to control the Asian citrus psyllid in 38 regions of Florida are beginning to pay dividends with lower pest populations and newfound hope. The theory behind citrus health management areas, or CHMAs, is if you reduce psyllid populations, you reduce the potential for them to spread huanglongbing, a deadly citrus disease. "We have to be encouraged," says Mike Sparks, president and chief executive officer of Lakeland-based Florida Citrus Mutual. Nevertheless, he says that many of the control measures, including CHMAs, arestopgap as the industry seeks longer-term, more sustainable, solutions, such as HLB-resistant trees.