USDA mobile app identifies citrus diseases

The USDA's animal and plant health inspection service has released a new application for iPhones and iPads, called Save Our Citrus. The app is designed to make it easier to identify and report the four most significant diseases to affect citrus production - citrus greening, citrus canker, citrus black spot and sweet orange scab.

In just a few steps, the Save Our Citrus app, available in English and Spanish, allows individuals to report their symptoms, upload a photo and receive an individual response back from citrus experts specific to the four leading citrus diseases.

With the rapid spread of citrus diseases, APHIS staff realized the need to engage residential citrus growers and request their help to keep an eye out for citrus diseases in backyards, orchards, groves and everywhere the diseases pose a threat. The idea is to ensure that, if a disease is discovered quickly in residential areas, it will be easier to prevent its spread to commercial agricultural lands.

The app is going to enable more citrus growers to report diseases and get needed information. The Save Our Citrus app is available as a free download on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch mobile devices.

To learn more about the Save Our Citrus program, visit http://www.saveourcitrus.org

Source: www.prweb.com