October 02, 2025 | Growing Produce |
Florida’s avocado industry is facing a growing threat from avocado sunblotch viroid (ASBVd), a highly damaging disease that can deform fruit, stunt tree growth, and quietly spread through orchards for years before symptoms appear. Researchers from the University of Florida (UF/IFAS) warn that if the disease is not contained, fruit production and quality could decline sharply, potentially reducing local supply and raising prices for consumers.
ASBVd spreads through root grafts, contaminated pruning or grafting tools, infected budwood or seeds, and even pollen moved by honeybees. Yield losses may reach up to 80%. The concern is heightened as growers replant trees lost to laurel wilt and expand avocado farming into new areas, often relying on seedling-grafted trees that may unknowingly carry the viroid.
Experts say Florida currently lacks a certification system to ensure that propagation materials are disease-free. They urge nurseries to test budwood annually, growers to train workers to recognize symptoms, and packinghouses to monitor fruit for signs of infection. Infected trees must be destroyed, and equipment should be sanitized regularly to prevent further spread. Without proactive management, the viroid could become a major obstacle to the future of Florida’s avocado production.
