Citrus Growers May Soon Have a New Way to Fight Back Against A Deadly Enemy
Citrus greening has decimated Florida’s industry and the infection is spreading in California. But a novel treatment, still in the testing phase, may suppress the disease and give trees immunity.
March 1, 2021
Steve Lyle, left, and Ignacio Valazquez with the California Dept. of Food & Agruculture examine insects stuck to a cardboard trap just removed from a citrus tree in a residential Los Angeles garden. They are most interested in catching 1/8th inch long psyllids to determine if any are infected with citrus greening disease. Credit: Don Bartletti/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Importance of IPM
News Reporter With your Southeast Regional Ag Report, I m Trevor Williams.
The Farm Traveler podcast is all about bridging the gap between farmers and consumers. One topic in farming that usually has a ton of misinformation, is the use of pesticides and other chemicals. Consumers often think pesticides are sprayed constantly and in high doses, which couldn t be further from the truth.
To learn more about the use and science of pesticides, I interviewed Dr. Norman Leppla from the University of Florida s Institute of Food and Agricultural Science. Dr. Leppla outlined a few steps on reducing pest problems.
Lakeland city officials said last week they were aware of the pelican’s situation.
“We have been trying to catch it for several weeks,” City Manager Shawn Sherrouse said. “We don’t know what it is.”
Photographer Michael “Mookie” Wilson, who often freelances for The Ledger, posted photos of the bird on his Facebook page, which were spotted by Lynn Zablo, 58. She holds state and federal permits to trap wild birds.
“You get all these calls and you go out and try and rescue these birds,” she said during a phone call Thursday as she trotted along a freeway in Tampa to pick up a wounded vulture.
The voting for the 11-member panel’s leadership positions proved contentious.
Council member Bob Cohen recommended Fareed Johnson, a commercial driver who had previously served as vice chair, because of his perspective as a 28-year-old Black man.
However, two members – Keyon Young, 21, a night auditor at a local hotel, and Ernest Walker, 42, who works at a fast-food restaurant – said a newly appointed member should serve as chair.
Walker suggested Andrew Miles serve as chair, saying the 63-year-old executive director of the Greater Duval Neighborhood Association has witnessed police brutality and better understands how the police feel toward the community.
“Mr. Andrew Miles is in the heart of ‘Out East’ Gainesville,” Walker said. “I think he would be a great overseer.”