Tropical Plant Pathology: Challenges and Opportunities

Listen to the seminar on this link: https://slu-se.zoom.us/j/68930495492 

Summary

Located in the subtropics but with a tropical climate, south Florida receives an average of 13 hours of sunshine per day and 58 inches of annual precipitation. Annual average temperature is 23°C and the annual low temperature typically stays above 18°C. These conditions make south Florida ideal for the development of a large scale and diverse horticulture industry. Indeed, Florida is #2 in the production of ornamental plants (after California) and leads the country in the production of tropical foliage and fruits. Moreover, Florida is the only continental U.S. state where a diverse array of tropical fruits can be grown at commercial scale.

On the other hand, these prime environmental conditions that allow rapid plant growth year-round are also conducive to fungal establishment, infection, growth, persistence, and spread. Therefore, high disease pressure and new disease introductions, represents constant challenges for local growers.

This talk will focus on one of the most important diseases affecting the tropical fruit industry: Laurel Wilt of avocado. Laurel Wilt, caused by Raffaelea lauricola, is a deadly vascular fungal disease affecting multiple hosts in the Lauraceae. This disease has spread rapidly across the U.S. and is now present in 11 states. Since its introduction, the disease has caused significant tree loses in natural forests and Florida’s commercial avocado orchards.