Will Florida's citrus be saved from scourge? | Gainesville.com

The scientific community is collaborating in a historic way to combat citrus greening. They are understanding, through genetic research, which part of the bacterium is destroying trees, and entire groves of citrus. Click title for link to a fairly comprehensive article on the issue.

Here are a few reasons why the disease is so hard to cure...
The disease hides in the root stock of the tree, sometimes for years, before it shows up in the tree canopy. By that time, it's too late.
Finally, the psyllid itself has proven to be a highly efficient transporter of the disease and has adapted very well to Florida's climate. It found the perfect host in the ornamental orange jasmine trees that are so popular among homeowners. Psyllids hopping on jasmine shrubs headed for nurseries and home improvement stores quickened their spread throughout the state.

What is not discussed is the long term effects on land use. What is going to happen to all these former orange groves if the disease ultimately wipes out more groves? More "Orange Grove Estates" subdivisions?