The citrus industry says it a disease has returned that can cause fruit to fall from trees at the earliest stage of development.
The Lakeland Ledger reports that a fungal disease called post-bloom fruit drop has returned.
The fungus causes a tree to drop the fruit just after it buds.
The fungus returns as growers keep trying to battle citrus greening, which can also cause fruit to drop prematurely.
Post-bloom fruit drop hasn’t been a problem in Florida in twenty years.