Citrus Greening Disease

What percentage of the United States' citrus is produced by Florida?

What is the primary method of transmission of citrus greening disease?

What is the effect of citrus greening disease on the vascular system of plants?

In which year was citrus greening disease first reported in Florida?

What is the fate of citrus trees once they are infected with citrus greening disease?

Where was citrus greening disease first reported in the world?

What is the name of the bacterium that causes citrus greening disease?

What was discovered in 1965 as a way to spread citrus greening disease?

What is a common symptom of citrus greening disease?

What is the estimated percentage of Florida citrus trees infected with citrus greening disease?

What is the primary goal of quarantine regulations in California?

What is one of the management tactics used to control citrus greening disease?

What is the estimated reduction in crop production due to citrus greening disease?

What is the estimated additional cost to farmers per acre due to citrus greening disease?

What is one of the consequences of citrus greening disease to farmers?

Citrus greening, also known as Huanglongbing (HLB), is a bacterial disease that attacks the vascular system of citrus plants.
It is transmitted by tiny insects called psyllids and has no cure once a tree is infected.

Citrus greening was first reported in China in 1919, then in the Philippines in 1921, Thailand in the 1960s, Brazil in 2004, and Florida in 2005.
It has since spread to other states in the US, including Louisiana, Georgia, and South Carolina, as well as countries like Cuba, Mexico, South Africa, India, and the Saudi Arabian peninsula.

Once a citrus tree is infected, there is no cure, but researchers are working to control the disease and develop HLB-resistant citrus varieties.
Management strategies include:
- Quarantine regulations to prevent the spread of the disease
- Removing infected citrus plants
- Applying insecticides
- Planting/grafting HLB-free citrus plants

The disease has been devastating to the citrus industry, with approximately 80% of Florida citrus trees infected.
HLB reduces crop production by about 40% and increases control and management costs by around $400 per acre.
The disease has also led to job losses across the industry, with many farmers going out of business.