Restricted Research - Award List, Note/Discussion Page
Fiscal Year: 2023
384 Sam Houston State University (142272)
Principal Investigator: Morgan-Olvera, Ashley R.
Total Amount of Contract, Award, or Gift (Annual before 2011): $ 53,725
Exceeds $250,000 (Is it flagged?): No
Start and End Dates: 6/1/22 - 12/31/23
Restricted Research: YES
Academic Discipline: biology
Department, Center, School, or Institute: Department of Biology
Title of Contract, Award, or Gift: Citrus Greening and Asian Citrus Psyllid Education and Detection campaign in Texas.
Name of Granting or Contracting Agency/Entity:
United States Department of Agriculture
CFDA Link: USDA
10.025
Program Title:
n/a
CFDA Linked: Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care
Note:
SAMs 1.1.1: Texas is comprised of 10 ecoregions that allow for a wide variety of crops throughout the state, this also makes it susceptible to numerous crop pests and pathogens. The cost to research and mitigation of invasive species costs billions of dollars across the nation, and for larger, agriculturally diverse, port-laden states such as Texas, the individual cost is much higher. One crop pathogen of concern is Citrus Greening disease which is transmitted by the Asian Citrus Psyllid (Diaphorina citri). This disease complex is currently wreaking havoc across millions of acres of Florida crops. Texas is third in citrus production nationwide, harvesting 8.76 million boxes of grapefruit and oranges from the Rio Grande Valley (2020 USDA Report). Despite commercial citrus productions occurring exclusively in the Rio Grande Valley, several Texas counties have been positive for Citrus Greening, primarily in backyard citrus plants which has led to quarantines in and out of commercial production areas; and further highlights the need for continued public education and outreach programming. The Texas Department of Agriculture has quarantined the following counties: Cameron, Hidalgo, Willacy, Brooks, Kenedy, Starr, Brazoria, Harris, Fort Bend, Galveston, Montgomery, Aransas, Calhoun, Kleberg, Nueces, and Webb. For an easily communicable plant disease complex like Citrus Greening it is especially important to get local citizens aware of the situation and involved in personal mitigation. Our institute believes the key to preventing the spread of invasive species is increasing awareness, conduct and support research, and encouraging public involvement through rigorous and widespread education and outreach programs that include pest identification, management, and biosecurity prevention strategies. The Texas Invasive Species Institute is a well-established entity in Texas that focuses on both early detection, rapid response, in conjunction with public awareness of important issues such as Citrus Greening. We are charged with fostering working relationships with various sectors to promote environmental awareness. Since Citrus Greening has established within Texas and has spread throughout the state due to backyard citrus purchases, we propose a program that will compliment and expand upon our past education and outreach efforts to fill the knowledge gap and provide Citrus Greening management options to citizens in gulf coastal counties of Texas.
Discussion: No discussion notes