<p><strong>Mission, TX</strong> - Texas is taking the necessary steps to prevent the devastation that occurred in Florida citrus groves from happening in the Lone Star State. Texas citrus industry leaders with the Texas Department of Agriculture, APHIS and academic scientists to name a few, have reacted promptly to the positive identification of citrus greening disease in a Texas Valencia orange grove. The group quarantined a five-mile radius around the grove site in hopes that the effort would prevent any further movement of the disease, according to a recent press release.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Texas A&M University Kingsville Citrus Center has been the facility utilized for testing the initial sample surveys of the area. There are a total of 138 groves to be tested. As of January 27th, The Texas Department of Agriculture noted that there had been no change in the quarantine zone. Plants within this zone that can spread the disease cannot be moved from the five-mile area. Originally halting the harvest, citrus fruit harvested within the quarantined area can now be moved outside of the zone but must be free of leaves, stems, plant debris and any Asian citrus psyllid. The most recent updates reveal that there has been another confirmed case of citrus greening found inside the quarantine area. A tree in a grapefruit grove was found to be positive for the disease. The new development occurred within a grove that is across the road from where the original detection occurred. The final analysis of the area will decide whether or not the quarantined area needs to be increased.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Ray Prewett of Texas Citrus Mutual and coordinator for industry response states, “We do not know how long it has been in the Valley, but we can hope that it was found before it spread too far.” The joint effort has come with preparation. Having seen other states and countries deal with citrus greening, Texas has taken the necessary steps to ensure that its industry is ready to act. Mr. Prewett, continues, “It is a real tribute to growers that their efforts have kept the disease at bay for this long. USDA and the Texas Department of Agriculture have been great partners with the industry to find it before it was even more widespread."</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
