FDACS issues warning on commercial plant disease

FDACS issues warning on commercial plant disease The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has issued an appeal to the flower industry to help eradicate a dangerous form of gladiolus rust from Florida that could impact commercial plant shipments and spread to other locations.
   The gladiolus rust, which impacts gladiolus plants and closely related plant species, was first detected in the United States in 2006 on a floral farm in Manatee County. State officials have since found the rust on a commercial gladiolus farm 100 miles southeast in Hendry County. So far, the rust has only been detected in those two counties, and in four residential gardens in urban areas around the Manatee County farm, FDACS officials said.
   Rust fungi has been detected again in 2007 on the long-leaved flowering plants in Florida. It has also been detected in California, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture is working closely with state and industry officials to control the spread of the rust. If the rust were left uncontrolled, it could completely destroy the gladiolus yield.
   FDACS is asking the flower industry to closely watch for signs of the disease. A technical committee has also been formed, developing eradication techniques that include fungicide applications, frequent scouting of production, and if needed, resorting to the use of no-planting 'fallow periods' on gladiolus farms and in surrounding neighborhoods.