30/06/2009

Disease-resistant orange trees were planted for the very first time in Southwest Florida and some experts say the trees could save the Florida citrus industry.

Southern Gardens Citrus in Hendry County is one of the largest citrus suppliers in the country despite all of their orange groves being greatly affected by canker and citrus greening - the most deadly and damaging diseases facing the citrus industry.

"We had removed about 4,500-acres of trees and that probably took about a million-and-a-half boxes out of our production," said Southern Gardens Citrus grower Jim Snively.

Snively said canker and greening cost Southern Gardens Citrus more than $18-million in just three years.

But now there is new hope and it could be found in some potentially disease-resistant citrus trees.

They showed a resistance to canker and greening in the lab, and growers hope they'll do the same in the field.

By: http://www.freshplaza.com/news_detail.asp?id=46557