CDFA Pest Prevention Plant Regulation Practice Exam

What causes spreading decline in citrus groves in Florida?

1. Tristaza

2. Quick decline

3. Southern root rot

4. Burrowing nematode

The correct answer is: Burrowing nematode

The correct answer is related to the impact of the burrowing nematode on citrus plants, which is known to cause spreading decline in citrus groves. Burrowing nematodes are microscopic roundworms that invade the roots of citrus trees. This invasion leads to the development of root lesions and disrupts the plant's ability to uptake water and nutrients effectively. As the nematodes continue to damage the roots, the trees may exhibit symptoms such as wilting, yellowing of leaves, and overall decline in health. This can eventually lead to reduced fruit yield and tree death if not managed properly. Their prevalence in Florida's citrus groves has made them a significant concern within the citrus industry. Other options may involve different types of diseases or pests that affect citrus trees, but they do not specifically lead to the spreading decline phenomenon as effectively as burrowing nematodes do. For instance, tristiza is a viral disease causing different symptoms, while quick decline would refer to a more sudden, drastic drop in tree health that is not specifically tied to the chronic damage inflicted by the burrowing nematodes. Southern root rot relates to fungal infections, which also pose a threat, but does not directly correlate with the spreading decline observed in citrus caused by the bur