Growers Say Collaboration is Key to Defeating HLB

Growers Say Collaboration is Key to Defeating HLB

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The incurable disease from Asia, huanglongbing, is often called citrus greening in Florida because of its effects on oranges. In California, where it came later and has yet to infect the state’s main production areas, it’s usually referred to as HLB — an effort, no doubt, to distinguish from the nightmarish Florida experience.

Interestingly, a lot more State of the Industry survey respondents this year were from Florida, and they bemoaned the effects of the disease, especially in the wake of Hurricane Irma. California growers complained more about the unusually hot summer of ’17 in the Golden State, but they know the HLB clock is ticking.

Florida growers, who mostly target the juice market, unlike their fresh-market counterparts on the West Coast, said 2017 was shaping up to be a relatively good year until Hurricane Irma hit.

“This was the first year in a very long time that production was going up,” said one. “That is all gone now with Hurricane Irma.”

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Another Florida grower said his production was down more than 10% in 2017 and will dip further in 2018. “With damage from Irma and greening we are going to have problems with the citrus industry in the state of Florida,” he said.

One longtime grower of ‘Valencia’ oranges, as well as the ‘Hamlin,’ ‘Pineapple,’ and ‘MidSweet’ varieties, said he too is cutting production in 2018. “We are treading water waiting on a long-awaited cure,” he said.

Still another Florida orange juice grower said the answer to HLB, which was definitely exacerbated by Irma, lies in genetics.

“[We need] rootstocks that are immune to HLB,” he said, “and bactericides that will kill HLB.”

A grower who diversified into peaches also believes the answer to HLB lies in genetics: “We need HLB-resistant rootstocks.

We’re not planning to re-set lost trees until there are better rootstocks or better inoculants for HLB.”

One of the few Sunshine State respondents to say they are planning on increasing production in 2018 isn’t concerned about HLB. “Too much money has been wasted chasing rabbits,” this grower said. “Better nutrition and better cultural practices hold the answers.”

That optimism wasn’t shared by another Florida grower, one of the few who sells a wide range of fresh citrus roadside. This respondent will be decreasing production this year and fears for the future of the state’s industry. “We are going broke,” the grower lamented.

However, another Florida fresh-market grower plans to boost production in 2018, not only of oranges, but mandarins and grapefruit. A new mindset is needed. “We need to change our growing practices,” the grower wrote, “(and) consider a shorter lifespan for citrus trees.”

And On The Left Coast
One California Navel orange grower who’s standing pat on production said he’s not alone. “Unless a cure is found, citrus production will trend down,” he said, before adding optimistically: “Prices may trend higher.”

The key, said one smaller grower who sells through farmer’s markets, is to keep the disease in Southern California. “We need to prevent HLB from getting into the Central Valley,” he said.

Another California grower of oranges, lemons, and mandarins who’s been farming for 50-plus years described the future of the industry in light of HLB with one word: “Scary.”

One longtime grower, who farms mainly organic oranges and is also standing pat this year, expressed fear that the ranks of his fellow growers will be thinned because of HLB and its vector, Asian citrus psyllid (ACP). “Smaller growers will not be able to remain in business due to the substantial cost of spraying for ACP on a regular basis,” he said.

A grower of oranges, mandarins, grapefruit, and lemons, who is increasing production, said everyone needs to pitch in: “[We need] effective control of ACP to greatly mitigate the spread of HLB. Better interaction, communication, and coordination with industry and government to effectively carry out this mission.”

A grower of oranges and mandarins, who also plans on boosting production, agreed cooperation is key to the future of the industry: “It depends on how the industry as a whole works together in combatting [HLB].”

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I wish there were more growers with this knowledge and attitude “Better nutrition and better cultural practices hold the answers.” He is certainly right. The same answer has applied to almost every biological problem I’ve every seen.

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