Scientists train dogs to sniff out a crop disease called citrus greening that has hit orange, lemon and grapefruit orchards in Florida, California and Texas
In one experiment in a Texas grapefruit orchard, trained dogs were accurate 95 percent of the time in distinguishing between newly infected trees and healthy ones.
Scientists trained dogs to sniff out a crop disease called citrus greening that has hit orange, lemon and grapefruit orchards in Florida, California and Texas. The dogs can detect it weeks to years before it shows up on tree leaves and roots, the researchers report. Dog sleuths are also faster, cheaper and more accurate than people collecting hundreds of leaves for lab analysis, according to the study in the Proceedings of National Academies of Sciences. Citrus greening — also called huanglongbing — is caused by a bacteria that is spread by a tiny insect that feeds on the leaves and stems of citrus trees. Once a tree is infected, there's no cure.
Matteo Garbelotto, who studies plants at the University of California, Berkeley, says the new research elevates the study of dog sleuths in orchards from anecdotal to field-tested, showing that dogs can detect an infection well before current methods. Garbelotto has been involved in similar research but had no role in new study.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Dog the Bounty Hunter shuns public life amid family drama as TV show 'cancelled'Dog the Bounty Hunter is taking time away from public life as the future of his TV show hangs in the balance amid more turmoil for him and his family
Read more »
Dog the Bounty Hunter Focusing on Himself While Show on HiatusDog the Bounty Hunter's doing a little TLC with his show now on hiatus.
Read more »
Dog the Bounty Hunter Is Not Engaged to Moon Angell, Calls Her 'My Dearest Friend'Duane Chapman proved that he and Moon Angell are nothing more than friends
Read more »
Dog the Bounty Hunter Isn't Engaged to Moon Angell Despite ProposalDuane 'Dog' Chapman is not engaged to his longtime assistant, Moon Angell.
Read more »
Super Bowl Player Celebrates Win By Paying for 100 Dog Adoption FeesChiefs player Derrick Nnadi is celebrating his big win by giving back. Click to see all the details of his amazing donation.
Read more »