In Washington, D.C., the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture announced four grants totaling more than $13.6 million to combat citrus greening disease. Citrus greening disease, also known as Huanglongbing, is currently the most devastating citrus disease worldwide.
HLB was first detected in Florida in 2005 and has since affected all of Florida’s citrus-producing areas, leading to a 75 percent decline in Florida’s $9 billion citrus industry. Fifteen U.S. States or territories are under full or partial quarantine due to the presence of the Asian citrus psyllid, a vector for HLB.
Funded projects include Clemson University researchers using naturally HLB-resistant citrus trees to develop new resistant varieties; the Regents of the University of California project will design and identify HLB bactericides based on both natural and nanotechnology approaches; and, Iowa State University researchers will investigate sustainable, naturally occurring soil bacteria to control the Asian citrus psyllid.