KXO RADIO - Pest could be devastating to Citrus

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Todays is : Friday, 12 March 2010

Written by George Gale
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
(Infestation getting worse)….Discovery of the Asian Citrus Psyllid could be devastating. Imperial County Ag Commissioner Steve Birdsall says his Department is meeting with state and federal Agricultural Departments. They are trying to come up with a plan of attack. Much of Southern California Citrus is in quarantine because of the pest. Birdsall told the County Board of Supervisors this week Bard and Winterhaven have come under the quarantine ordered in Yuma, after the discovery of the pest in that area. Much of the rest of Imperial County has been under quarantine for some time. Birdsall predicted all of Southern California Citrus will be under quarantine before much longer. He said the Psylid can infect citrus plants with disease. He says the insect can be eradicated, but once infected, the plants must be destroyed. The Ag Commissioner said the cooler temperatures and citrus harvest may slow the spread of the insect. He says the infestation is not just a local concern. Birdsall said it is very widespread, and has gone international.