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Clewiston,
FL — June 22, 2009 — Southern Gardens Citrus has planted
the first research field trials of potential canker and greening
disease-resistant citrus trees in its “These
field trials are an important milestone both in our own proactive program
dealing with disease and in the industry-wide efforts to save Florida
citrus,” said Rick Kress, president, Southern Gardens Citrus. Kress
said the citrus trees produced using biotechnology are the result of research
initiated in early 2007 with As
required by the issued field trial permit, “There are federal regulations and
very stringent protocols that we must follow to ensure the safety and integrity
of these field trials, including strict access control,” Kress said. Citrus
greening disease or Huanglongbing (HLB) is considered to be the most serious
disease of citrus trees in the world.
HLB was first identified and confirmed in Southern
Gardens Citrus, one of the largest citrus producers in the state, has three
groves in southwest “Southern
Gardens’ research field trials represent a major step forward in determining
a final solution for eliminating this disease,” Kress said. ###
Photographs
courtesy of Southern Gardens Citrus
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