I am wondering if citrus canker can be transmitted by the seeds of fruit. I haven't been able to tell from any of the florida websites that are dedicated to canker. Since the bacteria that causes canker dies when it is dry, I would suspect that if the seed is dry then any bacteria on the surface of the seed would be dead. Is my thought process rational or have I lost my mind?

Citrusboy

Seed on the inside of the fruit will not have any canker bacteria, since the bacterium is not systemic. But if the surface of the fruit is contaminated, there is some possibility that it could be transferred in the process of extracting the seed. Even so, the seed are going to be planted under ground, and I would not expect the bacterium to move up onto the growing top, as it emerges. The bacterium is not always killed by surface drying; if that were the case, it would be an easy disease to eradicate.

Rinsing seed in 5% Clorox solution for a minute or so should kill any bacteria that may be present on them.

Thanks Malcom, that is what I will do.

What diseases can be passed on to the seed?