The number of huanglongbing (HLB) detections in California increased 160% from 2017 to 2018, according to the California Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Program.
U.S. senators from both parties from citrus-producing states are asking the Senate Agriculture Committee to include $125 million in the farm bill for citrus greening research.
A California committee that focuses on fighting pests and diseases that threaten citrus crops has developed a strategic plan to fight huanglongbing (HLB) with five priorities guiding its focus.
Researchers studying the Asian citrus psyllid and how it spreads huanglongbing (HLB/citrus greening) say the key to beating the disease is in how the bacteria infects only that specific pest.
Genetic editing to produce trees and fruit resistant to citrus greening is one way researchers at the University of Florida plan to use a $10.5 million in grants to fight the disease.
California Citrus Mutual is praising the addition of $2.5 million to the state’s budget to battle Asian citrus psyllids and the huanglongbing disease they can spread.
Finding a path from Florida’s citrus industry’s rapid decline to a future with promise for growers is what Harold Browning and other citrus researchers in the Sunshine State are looking for.
