Another Disease Attacks Florida Citrus

This week the USDA announced the discovery of Citrus Black Spot, the latest major disease to become a destructive pest to the citrus crop of Florida. Major diseases currently present are tristeza, blight, greasy spot, Alternaria brown spot, Phytophthora- induced diseases, melanose, scab, postbloom fruit drop, citrus canker and Huanglongbing (citrus greening).

A commercial grove in Collier County was the location of the recent discovery of Citrus Black Spot, a fungal disease that causes dark speckled spots or blotches on the rinds of fruit. Valencia orange and lemon are the most susceptible varieties of citrus for this fungus.

Before coming to Florida this disease has been a significant production problem in Southeast Asia, Africa, South America and Australia. It is spread in nursery stock and in dead leaves in the groves, and can be controlled by using protective fungicide treatments and inspecting nursery stock.

For more information see the University of Florida EDIS publication #PP213.

Things To Do This Saturday - Learn to Make Biofuel!

This is the biofuel that I helped process at a Piedmont Biofuels workshop in North Carolina last fall. Piedmont Biofuels is a company committed to teaching about biofuel production and they are bringing their state-of-the-art trailer to the Wildwood Growers' Market this Saturday, February 20. There will be a 3 hour workshop for farmers or producers who are interested in learning how to produce their own fuel. The trailer will also be there to demonstrate to people attending the market between 9 and noon.

Many people are interested in learning the process of turning oil, either waste vegetable oil or oil crushed from seeds, into fuel. This fuel can then be used in any diesel engine without any changes to the engine. Many types of seeds contain oil and can be crushed to make fuel, and most of them also produce a meal byproduct that can also be used as animal feed. To attend the producer's workshop please reserve a space by calling (352) 793-2728.