Citrus Canker Detected In Baldwin County

A citrus disease that presents a serious threat to the U.S. citrus industry has been detected in a residential area of Baldwin County, GulfCoastNewsToday.com reported. Federal and state plant health officials recently confirmed the identification of citrus canker from foliage and fruit samples collected by the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries’ (ADAI) routine citrus survey. Caused by a bacterial pathogen, the canker affects all citrus species. This is the first detection of citrus canker in Alabama. While not harmful to humans, it significantly affects the vitality of citrus trees, causing leaves and fruit to drop prematurely. A fruit infected with canker is safe to eat but has reduced marketability as fresh fruit. The bacteria remain viable on plant surfaces for several months. Canker lesions expel bacterial cells, which can be dispersed by wind and rain. Infection may spread further by heavy rain and wind. Citrus species vary in their susceptibility to citrus canker, with grapefruit and limes being the most susceptible. ADAI and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Plant Protection and Quarantine officials will conduct a delimiting survey to determine the extent to which the pathogen may have spread. The survey will begin in July and will last several weeks. For more information about citrus canker or questions about the delimiting survey, contact Christel Stewart at email or call 334-240-7226.