Fighting Laurel Wilt: How Ag-Tech Is Safeguarding Avocado Trees

The rapid spread of laurel wilt disease by ambrosia beetles and root grafts has devastated avocado farms, significantly reducing production. This poses a threat to avocado growers worldwide, particularly in South Florida. ?Just recently UF/IFAS received $5 million from USDA to expand avocado production in Central Florida and combat Laurel wilt disease.?

Understanding the Threat

Laurel wilt affects trees in the Lauraceae family, including avocados, redbay, and sassafras. The disease, caused by the fungus Raffaelea lauricola, spreads quickly, killing mature trees within weeks. Its symptoms—wilting leaves, dark sapwood streaks, and sawdust tubes—signal the urgent need for action.

How Technology Is Making a Difference

As the battle against laurel wilt intensifies, technology is stepping in to offer solutions that were unimaginable just a decade ago. By focusing on early detection, preventive measures, and decision support tools, Ag-tech is transforming the way growers address this devastating threat.

1. Early Detection: Staying Ahead of the Disease

One of the biggest challenges with laurel wilt is its rapid progression—trees can transition from healthy to dying within weeks, leaving growers with minimal time to respond. Frequent satellite remote sensing, combined with high-resolution drone imagery, offers a powerful solution by generating heat maps of suspected problem areas for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) teams. Advanced AI classification and high-resolution imagery enable early detection of stressed trees, often before symptoms are visible on the ground.

2. Preventive Measures: Building a Stronger Future

While early detection addresses the immediate threat, technology is also providing long-term solutions to help growers thrive in the face of laurel wilt.

Per-Tree Digital Twin Technology transforms high-resolution drone imagery into a geo-accurate 3D representation of the farm, capturing every tree in precise detail. This technology is essential for designing and monitoring optimized pruning programs, which play a key role in fostering healthier and more resilient trees. By providing a clear and accurate visualization of the orchard, the digital twin supports strategic decision-making and serves as the foundation for more advanced tools.

Predictive Modeling: Building on data from the digital twin and detection logs from aerial imagery and IPM teams, predictive models forecast the appearance of disease vectors and the spread of laurel wilt. These models combine historical, real-time, and diagnostic data to enable growers to proactively address challenges, minimize risks, and implement targeted interventions effectively.

3. Decision Support Tools: Digital Solutions for Precision IPM

Modern software systems bring together the per-tree digital twin, predictive models, and early detection tools into a cohesive system that empowers farm managers to plan and execute IPM programs with precision. By centralizing these technologies, growers can better coordinate interventions, optimize resources, and ensure effective disease management, creating a more resilient and efficient operation.

Why It Matters

Laurel wilt is a wake-up call for the agricultural community. Embracing technology and collaboration is crucial not only to safeguard avocado trees and protect livelihoods but also to address similar diseases affordably and accurately. These efforts are vital for growers and essential for preserving environmental sustainability.