Latest on "plum pox" (a disease of stone fruit trees).
July 5, 2000
No Plum Pox in Maryland Orchards
Filed at 1:03 a.m. EDT
By The Associated Press
HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) -- Plant pathologists who have sampled about
two-thirds of Maryland's orchards say they have found no sign yet of plum
pox, a disease of stone fruit trees that prompted destruction of infected trees
in neighboring Pennsylvania.
The scientists, who have been testing leaf samples, will examine ripening fruit
next, and may collect more leaves this fall, said plant pathologist Anne
Sindermann, who is overseeing the project at the Maryland Department of
Agriculture. ``We've still got a ways to go,'' she said.
Fruit growers said Monday they were pleased with the news but still fearful
that the virus, which is spread by aphids or grafting, could show up in
Maryland.
``I just hope the aphids keep flying away from this area,'' said Allan Baugher
of Baugher's Farm Orchard Market near Westminster.
Some of Maryland's largest orchards lie just south of Adams County, Pa.,
where the disease made its first U.S. appearance last year. Sindermann said
state workers sampled the Maryland orchards closest to Adams County first.
The disease affects peaches, apricots, plums and other stone fruits. The fruit
can be deformed or blemished with spots or rings, and sometimes falls
prematurely from the tree. The only way to stop the virus from spreading is
destroying infected and exposed trees.
Pennsylvania officials ordered 218 acres of fruit trees destroyed in northern
Adams County last fall. More plum pox was found this past spring farther
north in Cumberland County, Pa.
The federal government has announced $18.3 million in compensation for
Pennsylvania farmers who lost trees.
Sindermann said she would probably suspend leaf collection this week
because hot weather makes the virus less concentrated and harder to find.
She said investigators would look instead at ripening fruit for plum pox
symptoms.
Early Red Haven peaches are already ripe at Catoctin Mountain Orchards near
Thurmont, market manager Pat Runkles said. ``We have a pretty good peach
crop, I think,'' she said.
Maryland peaches are grown from Washington County to the Eastern Shore
and as far south as Prince George's County. Last year's crop of 9.1 million
pounds was worth more than $4.1 million.
Copyright 2000 The New York Times Company |
