A leading Florida citrus grower is reportedly set to begin its first plantings of genetically-modified trees resistant to greening and canker early next year, following successful trials using red grapefruit.
Southern Gardens, which farms 6,677ha of citrus groves in the state, has decided to proceed with the trial plantings after tests carried out by researchers at Texas A&M University using genetically-altered grapefruit trees met with success, reports Palm Beach Post.
Citrus greening, which leaves trees with bitter, misshapen fruit, was first detected in Florida in 2005 and has since spread to 30 counties, while canker has already been the target of a US$1.6bn eradication programme, the newspaper said.
Doug Bournique, executive vice-president of the Indian River Citrus League, said that if successful the trial plantings would be “a huge step in the right direction”.
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