<p>Abandoned and untreated groves are delaying efforts to slow the spread of the Asian citrus psyllid in the Rio Grande Valley, but new research may come to the aid of growers.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><img class="small-cropped-image" src="https://cdn.andnowuknow.com/legacySmallCroppedImages/RAY PREWETT.jpg" alt="Cropped Images July 8th 2013" />“We are concerned that we have groves out there that have been bought for development and are not being cared for. There tends to be higher levels of psyllids in those groves,” said Texas Citrus Mutual President Ray Prewett. “Over the next several months there will be a lot more public outreach. The growers are stepping up and getting more involved.”<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Texas A&M University-Kingsville Citrus Center in Weslaco is researching new technology is being developed to assist in the search for infected trees. He noted that growers are also trying to learn from Florida and other areas that have been devastated by the disease.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Owner of Mission-based South Tex Organics Dennis Holbrook said research is moving forward with everything from genetically modified trees to technological advances. A machine is being developed to assist growers in sniffing out the greening disease and has been 100 percent accurate in the testing process for spotting greening disease, according to the Progess Times.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Other advances include something that resembles a DNA test for humans to determine whether a tree is affected by greening. Holbrook said this test is still in the trial process and is being developed by a company in Austin, but has not been approved by USDA.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Early detection measures are being researched heavily but Holbrook said recent research shows once the disease hits the foliage it goes to the root system before it reemerges.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for updates on the situation.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href="http://progresstimes.net/news/breaking-news/4678-texas-citrus-growers-wage-fight-against-greening-disease.html" target="_new">Texas Citrus Greening Report</a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
