Jonathan Oliver

  • HLB Testing Is Available Once Again in Georgia

    Information from Dr. Alejandra Jimenez Madrid (Director of the UGA Plant Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory in Tifton): I am happy to announce that the Plant Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory is currently a USDA-certified lab to perform Huanglongbing (HLB or citrus greening) testing. We are excited to provide this advanced testing to commercial growers, homeowners, nurseries, Extension and research personnel,…

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  • The Georgia Department of Agriculture has recently announced a “Notice of Intent to Amend Citrus Rules“. Regarding the proposed rules, the Department will be accepting written comments from March 23, 2023, until the close of business (4:30 p.m. EST) on April 21, 2023. Comments will be considered on April 24, 2023. Please see the link…

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  • Jake Price, the Citrus Area Agent for UGA Extension, has recently come out with an extension publication on evaluating fruit quality of citrus. A permanent link has been added to the header of the citrus blog, and this publication can also be found at the following link: Evaluating Fruit Quality of Citrus Varieties in Georgia

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  • Jake Price, Area Citrus Agent at the University of Georgia recently shared the following information: “The upcoming freeze event will be one of the biggest challenges faced so far by Georgia and North Florida citrus growers. In past years, we have experienced one or two nights of temperatures in the lower 20’s or possibly upper teens…

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  • Citrus canker has been confirmed within a commercial citrus grove in Bulloch County, Georgia – the second county in Georgia where citrus canker has been identified during 2022. This bacterial disease, which is subject to USDA-APHIS quarantine regulations, is widespread within Florida, and has also been found previously in Louisiana (2014), Texas (2016), Alabama (2021), a South…

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  • ALERT: Citrus Canker Confirmed in Georgia

    On June 14th, 2022, the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) announced that citrus canker has been confirmed within a commercial citrus grove in Decatur County, Georgia. This bacterial disease, which is subject to USDA-APHIS quarantine regulations, is widespread within Florida, and has also been found previously in Louisiana (2014), Texas (2016), Alabama (2021), and in…

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  • Citrus canker (a bacterial disease of citrus) was identified in Alabama in 2021. Now it has been found in a nursery in South Carolina also. Citrus canker is found throughout Florida and in limited areas of Louisiana and Texas. Accordingly, residential and commercial citrus growers in Georgia should be on the lookout for citrus canker,…

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  • Citrus Root Weevil detected in Georgia

    Diaprepes abbreviates (also known as the citrus root weevil or the Apopka weevil) was detected in one trap sample from Chatham County, Georgia during the 2021 APHIS PPQ survey season.  While this insect is not assumed to be widespread in Georgia at this time, growers should be aware of this weevil given the recent increase…

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  • Due to recent personnel changes within the UGA Plant Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, we’ve had to make changes to the protocol for submission of citrus samples for viral and bacterial testing. Bulk samples mailed to the laboratory for routine testing for the bacterial diseases citrus greening (HLB) and citrus canker cannot be received at this time…

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  • As part of our 2021 disease survey efforts, we will begin accepting samples from within Georgia for free citrus greening and citrus canker testing on September 1st. Sample testing will be carried out by the UGA Plant Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory in Tifton, GA. Here’s the original announcement regarding this testing program: My citrus pathology extension program was…

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