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Publication #CH199

 

Citrus Canker: An Established Infection in the Florida Citrus Industry1

J.D. Yates, T.M. Spann, M.E. Rogers, and M.M. Dewdney2

Click here to view this publication as a brochure in PDF: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/CH/CH19900.pdf

Canker History

1910

First introduction of canker into Florida

1933

First introduction of canker was eradicated

1986

Second introduction of canker into Florida

1994

Second introduction of canker was eradicated

Figure 1. 

1995

Third introduction of canker into Florida

2000

Statewide mandatory eradication 1,900-foot rule implemented

Quarantine areas established when canker detected

Mandatory statewide decontamination procedures required

2002

Removal of infected and exposed trees delayed due to lawsuits

2004-2005

Hurricanes spread canker across the state

2005

First nursery infected with canker was found

2006

Mandatory eradication ended

2007

More than 20 Florida counties infected with canker

Figure 2. 

Removal of infected trees is now voluntary.

Decontamination procedures are required statewide to prevent the spread of citrus canker.

Canker Spread

  • Wind-driven rain

  • Storm events

  • Flooding

  • Citrus leafminer

  • Birds and other animals

  • Overhead irrigation

  • Human movement of infected plant material

  • Human and equipment movement within groves

  • Canker does not harm humans

CITRUS CANKER IS HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS!

Figure 3. 

Hurricanes that crossed Florida in 2004 and 2005 increased the spread of canker statewide.

Canker Symptoms

LEAF SYMPTOMS

Early symptoms appear as slightlly raised, tiny, blister-like lesions.

Figure 4. 

As lesions age, they turn tan to brown, and a water-soaked margin appears surrounded by yellow ring or halo.

Figure 5. 

Center of the lesion becomes raised and corky.

Figure 6. 

Lesions are usually visible on both sides of a leaf.

FRUIT AND STEM SYMPTOMS

Typical symptoms are dark-brown or black, raised, corky lesions, surrounded by an oily or water-soaked margin.

Mature lesions appear scabby or corky.

Figure 7. 

Canker Management

Decontamination

Tree removal

Defoliation

Windbreaks

Copper sprays

Leafminer control

Figure 8. 

Resources

  • Citrus Research and Education Center Website -- http://www.crec.ifas.ufl.edu

  • Canker Symptoms versus Common Citrus Diseases Laminated Sheet

  • Packinghouse Citrus Canker Fruit ID Laminated Sheet

  • Canker Flow Chart and Symptoms Laminated Sheet

  • Canker Training DVD

  • Canker Field Identification Pocket Guide

  • Florida Citrus Pest Management Guide

Contacts

Citrus Research and Education Center

Jamie Yates
Canker and Greening Extension Education
863-956-1151 ext. 1302
* * *
Jim Graham, Ph.D.
Soil Microbiologist
863-956-1151 ext. 1297
* * *
Megan Dewdney, PH.D.
Plant Pathologist
863-956-1151 ext. 1267
* * *
Lukasz Stelinski, Ph.D.
Entomologist
863-956-1151 ext. 1281
* * *
Tim Spann, Ph.D.
Horticulturist
863-956-1151 ext. 1417
Citrus Extension Agents
Ryan Atwood
Marion, Lake, Volusia, Orange,
Seminole, Brevard and Osceola counties
352-343-4101
* * *
Gary England
Citrus, Hernando, Sumter
and Pasco counties
352-793-2728
* * *
Steve Futch, Ph, D.
DeSoto, Hardee, Manatee
and Sarasota counites
863-956-1151
* * *
Tim Gaver
St. Lucie, Martin, Okeechobee
and Indian River counties
772-462-1660
* * *
Tim Hurner
Highlands County
863-402-6540
* * *
Chris Oswalt
Polk and Hillsborough counties
863 519-8677
* * *
Mongi Zekri, Ph.D
Hendry, Glades, Lee
Charlotte and Collier counties
863-674-4092

Footnotes

1.

This document is CH199, one of a series of the Horticultural Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date, July 2008. Revised July 2009. Visit the EDIS Web sSite at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2.

J.D. Yates, assistant coordinator for canker and greening extension education; T.M. Spann, assistant professor, Horticultural Sciences Department; M.M Dewdney, assistant professor, Plant Pathology Department, Citrus Research and Education Center, Lake Alfred, FL, 33850, Institute of Food and Agricultral Sciences, University of Florida.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, Dean.