Why Florida Oranges Had The Worst Harvest Since World War II | Big Business | Insider Business

Florida oranges had their worst crop in 70 years. They’re facing a deadly disease called citrus greening, spread in the body of the invasive Asian citrus psyllid. Today, nearly every citrus grove in Florida is infected with the disease. If an orange tree were to remain untreated, the disease would block its ability to get nutrients and kill it within a few years. But Florida’s growers have figured out a way to keep growing edible oranges, even on infected trees. They’ve implemented a slew of horticultural techniques developed with scientists at the University of Florida, from pink clay to reflective mulch. But they still haven’t found a long-term cure. We went to central Florida to see how growers and scientists are keeping the big business of oranges alive. MORE BIG BUSINESS VIDEOS: Why 99% Of Smithsonian’s Specimens Are Hidden In High-Security | Big Business How The World’s Longest-Running Sardine Cannery Packs 60 Million Cans A