Rosette threatens America's rose
The disease, a virus spread by a mite (phyllocoptes fructiphilus), is decimating the rose industry in other states. It was first detected in Florida in December 2013, said Mathews Paret, assistant professor of plant pathology at the UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center.
“Rose rosette is a devastating disease and one of the worst things to come along,” said Gary Knox, professor of environmental horticulture and Extension specialist in nursery crops. “So, we have formed a multistate comprehensive project to find a cure.”
The challenge is in detecting the disease before symptoms arrive, Knox said. “A nursery might not know it has the disease and sell rose plants to unsuspecting customers. Months later, the disease shows up,” he said.
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