Characterization of Liberibacter populations and development of field detection system for citrus huanglongbing
Project funded by: USDA NIFA
Citrus huanglongbing has killed about half of the citrus trees in Florida
It is spreading in Texas and already present in California. The major premise of this project is that the only way to save the citrus industry from citrus huanglongbing (HLB; citrus greening) - until resistant varieties are developed - is by prevention, exclusion, and suppression of both the vector and the disease. Early detection is the key for all three of the HLB management approaches. On-site detection with 'easy to use', simple, and reliable technologies would facilitate such an effort.
