THE MINISTRY of Agriculture is advising the public that citrus greening, a bacterial disease that severely affects most sweet oranges, mandarins and mandarin hybrids, has been found in South Florida in the United States.
In addition to causing loss of jobs and incomes for thousands of persons, the introduction of the disease into Jamaica could result in the loss of an estimated US$10 million (J$620 million) in export earnings from citrus annually, the Agriculture Ministry said yesterday.
The incurable disease, which infects most citrus species, hybrids, cultivars and some citrus relatives, destroys plants by attacking their vascular system, which transports water and nutrients from the roots to the rest of the plant.
The ministry is, therefore, urging members of the public not to bring into Jamaica any citrus plants, or plant parts, including budwood, seeds and fruits, to safeguard against the introduction of this deadly disease into the island.
Citrus greening, which has three forms - Asian, African and Brazilian - is primarily trans-mitted by insect vectors (citrus psyllids). While the vector was discovered in Jamaica in 2002, there has been no evidence of the disease in the country to date, the Agriculture Ministry said in a press statement yesterday.
The ministry noted that the disease may also be transmitted by grafting, by dodder (a plant that feeds on other plants) and possibly by seed. It, however, cannot be spread by casual contamination of personnel and tools, or by wind and rain.
Symptoms of citrus greening
- Small yellow leaves on one limb or section of the tree canopy in early stages
- yellow shoots
- poor flowering
- stunting
- progressive death of twigs, starting at the tips
- fruits of infected trees will appear small, poorly coloured and/or lopsided
- will taste bitter and sour.
For further information, contact the Plant Quarantine Unit by visiting its offices at 193 Old Hope Road, Kingston 6, or by calling 977-0637/977-6401.
