Symptoms of citrus greening
Citrus Huanglongbing (HLB), also known as greening, is one of the most serious citrus plant diseases in the world. Infected trees produce bitter fruits that are green, misshapen, and unsuitable for sale. Once a tree is infected, there is no cure and it typically dies within a few years. Greening has already devastated the Florida citrus industry and poses a threat to California and Texas as well as Australia and the Mediterranean region.
Currently the most effective ways to prevent the spread of HLB are to stop the causal agent (Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus) using quarantine measures, control the insect that spreads the disease (Asian citrus psyllid), remove the diseased trees, and plant HLB free trees. To this end, early diagnosis of HLB-diseased trees is crucial. Traditionally, diagnosis relies on observing blotchy mottle symptoms and confirming disease presence using molecular tools. However, these symptoms do not show until months after disease transmission and by then the disease has likely already spread throughout the grove.
Professor Nian Wang and his postdoctoral research associate Dr. Sheo Shanker Pandey, both from Citrus Research and Education Center, Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, at the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences of University of Florida, developed a strategy for early diagnosis of HLB before the appearance of blotchy mottle symptoms. They used a low-cost staining method to identify insect feeding sites and tested those identified sites for the causal agent using quantitative real-time PCR (polymerase chain reaction).
Through this method, the pair were able to detect the HLB causal agent up to two days after transmission and long before the appearance of symptoms. This early detection will enable citrus growers to prevent the spread of HLB in their fields. This finding is especially crucial for California, Texas, Australia, and the Mediterranean region as those areas are currently plagued by HLB.
More details about this study can be found in “Targeted Early Detection of Citrus Huanglongbing Causal Agent ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ Before Symptom Expression” in Phytopathology Volume 109, Number 6, published June 2019. Phytopathology is an international journal publishing articles on fundamental research that advances understanding of the nature of plant diseases, the agents that cause them, their spread, the losses they cause, and measures used to control them.
Learn more: ?????Greening devastates the citrus industry—new research offers a solution
The Latest on: Citrus greening
[google_news title=”” keyword=”citrus greening” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Citrus greening
- Growing fruit drop condition affects orange growers across the countryon November 25, 2023 at 2:04 am
Apart from the citrus greening, orange growers across the country are currently grappling with late fruit drop. It is a premature shedding of fruits from trees before it is fully ripe. In Tsirang, ...
- ‘We’re resilient’: New therapies give hope for citrus industry amid production declineon November 15, 2023 at 3:42 pm
A disease with no cure, bad weather, consumer habits and development continue to pose challenges to the industry.
- University of Florida researchers create new center to fight citrus greeningon November 14, 2023 at 3:00 pm
say they have seen falling production because of citrus greening. Now researchers at the University of Florida are hoping to help Florida farmers improve the production of citrus and specialty ...
- Alico: Buy The Low-Hanging Fruiton November 13, 2023 at 10:35 pm
Alico's shares face sell-off due to dividend cut & hurricane damage, yet trade at discount. Read why I rate ALCO stock a buy at the current price.
- Citrus Greening Bacteria Affects Pest's Sense of Smellon November 13, 2023 at 4:00 pm
Asian citrus psyllids transmit citrus greening, a disease that can devastate citrus groves. New work by scientists in Brazil and at UC Davis shows that the citrus greening bacteria interfere with the ...
- University of Florida Launches Center to Expedite Solutions for Citrus Greening and Crop Diseaseson November 13, 2023 at 1:21 pm
University of Florida scientists plan to utilize $2 million from an initiative by UF President Ben Sasse for a Crop Transformation Center to help Florida farmers improve production of citrus and ...
- Alico, Inc. to Attend 3rd Annual AGTech Answers Conferenceon November 13, 2023 at 4:59 am
Alico, Inc. (“Alico” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: ALCO) announced today that John Kiernan, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and President, and Bradley Heine, the Company's Chief Financial Officer, ...
- UF agriculture research center shows what it can doon November 9, 2023 at 3:01 pm
This pest, responsible for the spread of citrus greening, rendered the disease uncontrollable once it was detected in the state in 2005. “Precision agricultural tries to increase yield and reduce ...
- Multi-generational Florida citrus growers have roots in Sunshine State's 'flagship industry'on November 9, 2023 at 3:49 am
For two multi-generation citrus growers, "Old Florida" is never far away. They explain the impact of the industry, even as it fights obstacles in its way.
- Citrus Greening in Organic and Food Insecurity Higheron November 5, 2023 at 4:00 pm
**As an organic citrus grower and packer in Ventura County, John Wise has long recognized the threat of the Asian citrus psyllid to his business and livelihood. The threat has become greater now that ...
via Bing News
\
