Due to a combination of factors, including a destructive tropical season in 2022, citrus production in Florida dropped to levels not seen since World War II. Citrus growers are facing an uphill battle due to the combined effects of ongoing drought, a disease known as citrus greening and the damage wrought by Hurricane Ian last fall. But there is still hope in the industry.
Despite the challenges, there is renewed hope in the fight against citrus greening a.k.a Huanglongbing, as the state, the world's second-largest orange juice producer after Brazil, has a new discovery that will help the state continue production despite the challenges: the HLB-tolerant Donaldson tree.
"It's not immune, it does get the disease, but it seems to be able to keep growing," Ben Rosson, bureau chief of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, told AccuWeather National Reporter Bill Wadell. The Florida Department of Agriculture has started growing clean trees to distribute to nurseries for propagation. One of the nurseries to receive the Donaldson trees belongs to Roy Petteway in Hardee County, Florida.
Source: accuweather.com