Can the Amalfi Coast's famous lemons be saved? | Focus on Europe

Lemons have long been a symbol of the Amalfi Coast, but now a fungus is threatening the region's lemon trees.

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[ANTheWhizkid]

The comments show why 90% of all people not able to keep even a basil plant alive

[maily]

I will visit Amalfi coast soon. So sad it happening to it 😢

[justayoutuber]

In Florida USA, citrus greening disease has wiped out a huge number of orange trees.

[steppinstone]

If the coastal plantations are doing better, then the fungal spores are wind blown. Better mapping of the disease x wind direction x spore timing would help them get ahead of the spread. It must be hard to have to be ruthless about something they love so much.

[melusine]

3:09 smart woman.
As a possibility to help buffer / fight the fungus I wonder if they can research alternative fungus to inoculate the soil when they replant? 🤔

[justayoutuber]

When life gives you lemons, build a tourism economy

[sutats]

I haven't been there, but I get the idea that the place wouldn't be the same without the lemons.

[rosaliabonayog]

😊 love it God speed to help one abother to save it..

[stevo]

lol they need to calm down amalfi minus the lemons is not a tourism disaster, 99% of tourists would have no idea lemons are even grown in the area and you cant smell them in the air...

[stevo]

The lemon trees on the Amalfi Coast are currently being threatened by a fungal disease known as Phytophthora gummosis. This disease, caused by a soil-borne pathogen, affects the roots and lower trunk of the lemon trees, leading to gum oozing, bark splitting, and eventually the decline and death of the trees if left untreated. The disease thrives in the humid and wet conditions that are common in the region, especially given the impact of climate change, which has brought more intense rainfall to the area.

To protect the crops from this devastating fungus, several steps can be taken:

1. Soil Management: Improving soil drainage is critical, as the fungus thrives in overly wet conditions. Farmers should ensure that the terraces are well-maintained to prevent water from pooling around the tree roots.

2. Fungicides: Application of copper-based fungicides can help manage the spread of Phytophthora. These should be applied as a preventive measure, particularly during the wet season.

3. Tree Maintenance: Regular pruning of infected branches and the removal of any dead plant material from the base of the trees can reduce the spread of the fungus.

4. Biological Controls: The use of biocontrol agents, such as Trichoderma species, can help in suppressing the growth of Phytophthora in the soil.

5. Resistant Rootstocks: Grafting lemon trees onto Phytophthora-resistant rootstocks is another long-term strategy that can help mitigate the impact of the disease.

[creeperFIN]

Like most people say already. Monocultures, weather pattern change and plant over breeding and inbreeding are all problems with these weak commercial bio factories.

Maybe we should actually train and help the farmers with plants and techniques that actually help them instead of making it better for food suppliers and cheaper to buy from the farmer to profit larger.

[AeolianMusica]

I forget which writer - maybe Pliny the Elder (seems likely) - but I remember reading a Roman author waxing lyrical about the Amalfi Coast lemon trees, how they grew off the cliffs and filled the air with scent. Shows just how long they’ve been around!

I’ll look for the source and update this if I find it.

[AbraXas-biux]

my family owns an apple plantage in South Tyrol, I remember since young age the use of chemicals to fight fungis etc.. there is no way you would buy perfect apples in a supermarket otherwise. farmers need to pass a test if they want to work with such substances.

[jf]

It is all a huge tourist trap. Just avoid.

[Kartoffelsuppe_m_Wursteinlage]

Greed and monoculture will lead to these problems. Olives, Raisins, you name it.

[KiddingMartin]

What can I say... When life takes away your lemons... just don't make lemonade.

[MrMjolnir]

More Stratospheric aerosol injection benefits. Look into olive fig grapes sunflowers production esp in Italy not to mention eggs.

[peternelligan]

WE HAD CHERRY TREE CHESTNUT TREE CRAB APPLE TREE STORM PARK WHO KNOCK DOWN OAK TREES

[Markstubation]

The lemons are not indigenous to that area…

[zzlbbdp]

Let's guess, tax payers must pay for help, funding a dolce vita lifestyle... Monoculture always leads to fungus spreading once its started