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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 #192435
Title: PROGRESS REPORT TO THE CITRUS INDUSTRY: FLORIDA CITRUS PLANT PROTECTION COMMITTEE (FCPPC)

Author
item GRAHAM, JIM - UNIV. OF FLORIDA
item GADDIS, CLIFF - UNIV. OF FLORIDA
item Irey, Michael

Submitted to: Citrus Industry
Publication Type: Popular Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/15/2006
Publication Date: 3/15/2006
Citation: Graham, J., Gaddis, C., Irey, M.S. 2006. Progress report to the citrus industry: Florida Citrus Plant Protection Committee (FCPPC). Citrus Industry.

Interpretive Summary: During the last half of 2005, six Florida citrus nurseries have been exposed to citrus canker resulting in the destruction of 62% of the nursery inventory. In September 2005 citrus greening was detected in south Florida. The combined effect of both diseases has raised a critical level of concern regarding the future availability of nursery trees. In October, the Florida Citrus Plant Protection Committee (FCPPC) was formed to develop recommendations for new management systems for citrus nurseries to exclude canker and greening and produce disease-free nursery stock. The FCPPC is composed of six nursery leaders, six production leaders, and ex-officio members from DPI, USDA-ARS, and UF/IFAS. The FCPPC has met six times and considered proposals for new management systems involving risk management, greenhouse construction, and sanitation measures. Thus far, the FCPPC recommendations and findings include: the conclusion that nursery stock can no longer be produced outside; the development of a risk assessment model to qualify nursery sites; the establishment of a minimum distance that nurseries should be located from commercial and residential citrus and sources of pathogen inoculum; a requirement for insect proof greenhouses; the establishment of a January 1, 2008 cutoff date for the sale of existing trees; and a calculation of an estimated time table for the production and future demand for nursery trees.

Technical Abstract: During the last half of 2005, six Florida citrus nurseries have been exposed to citrus canker resulting in the destruction of 62% of the nursery inventory. In September 2005 citrus greening was detected in south Florida. The combined effect of both diseases has raised a critical level of concern regarding the future availability of nursery trees. In October, the Florida Citrus Plant Protection Committee (FCPPC) was formed to develop recommendations for new management systems for citrus nurseries to exclude canker and greening and produce disease-free nursery stock. The FCPPC is composed of six nursery leaders, six production leaders, and ex-officio members from DPI, USDA-ARS, and UF/IFAS. The FCPPC has met six times and considered proposals for new management systems involving risk management, greenhouse construction, and sanitation measures. Thus far, the FCPPC recommendations and findings include: the conclusion that nursery stock can no longer be produced outside; the development of a risk assessment model to qualify nursery sites; the establishment of a minimum distance that nurseries should be located from commercial and residential citrus and sources of pathogen inoculum; a requirement for insect proof greenhouses; the establishment of a January 1, 2008 cutoff date for the sale of existing trees; and a calculation of an estimated time table for the production and future demand for nursery trees.