From The Oregonian, April 2, 2003, p F3 (Science)

Earthweek
For the week ending March 28, 2003

Brazil orange disease
Agriculture experts in Brazil announced that as much as 85 percent of
the world's largest orange groves in Sao Paulo state must be torn out
and replanted to combat a devastating plant disease. Brazil is the
world's leading producer of oranges, with 90 percent of the nation's
fruit exports coming from groves in Sao Paulo. Growers were informed
that about 150 million trees must be eradicated and replanted because
the existing crops come from Rangpur lime rootstock, which is known to
be susceptible to citrus sudden death. Only 5 percent of trees in the
1.5 million acres of orange groves have so far shown signs of the
potent disease, which poses no health risk to humans, but industry
officials are concerned about the spread of the virus.

Posted by
Daniel B. Wheeler
www.oregonwhitetruffles.com

Well, that's what you get with monoculture!
--
Joe Zorzin
http://www.forestmeister.com

"Daniel B. Wheeler" wrote in message
om...
From The Oregonian, April 2, 2003, p F3 (Science)

Earthweek
For the week ending March 28, 2003

Brazil orange disease
Agriculture experts in Brazil announced that as much as 85 percent of
the world's largest orange groves in Sao Paulo state must be torn out
and replanted to combat a devastating plant disease. Brazil is the
world's leading producer of oranges, with 90 percent of the nation's
fruit exports coming from groves in Sao Paulo. Growers were informed
that about 150 million trees must be eradicated and replanted because
the existing crops come from Rangpur lime rootstock, which is known to
be susceptible to citrus sudden death. Only 5 percent of trees in the
1.5 million acres of orange groves have so far shown signs of the
potent disease, which poses no health risk to humans, but industry
officials are concerned about the spread of the virus.

Posted by
Daniel B. Wheeler
www.oregonwhitetruffles.com

Well, that's what you get with monoculture!

I'm not familiar with that disease or virus but I wonder if this Citrus sudden
death is an exotic invasive. With the increase in world trade more exotics are
threatening native forests. Here in Michigan the concern is over Emerald Ash
Borer, just identified last year, which has the potential to decimate all
native ashes similar to what dutch elm disease did to elms. It has already
killed or doomed almost all of the ashes in three counties in SE Michigan.