Citrus Greening

Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved CarriCea T1, a breakthrough citrus rootstock that helps trees defend themselves against citrus greening disease, the bacterial infection that has destroyed more than 90 percent of Florida's citrus production over the past two decades. The approval gives American growers a powerful new tool that fights disease at the source while reducing the need for conventional pesticide sprays.

A genetic discovery by ARS and University of Florida scientists could speed the search for hybrid citrus trees that tolerate citrus greening disease (Huanglongbing) and produce orange-like fruit ideal for making juice.

Researchers have been working on a solution to fight citrus greening disease and may have found one in the unique antibodies found in camels, llamas, and alpacas.

Imagine a devastating plant disease that sweeps the land, decimating crops. For Florida’s citrus growers, that apocalyptic vision is not a horror movie, but a reality: since it was first identified in the Sunshine State in 2005, citrus greening disease has reduced Florida’s citrus production by a whopping 70%. Without any treatment or cure available, desperate growers have cut down infected trees or abandoned their groves entirely. Scientists have been racing to come up with a solution. Now, an ARS research team believes it may have one, in the form of: stingrays.

USDA established a unified emergency response framework to address Huanglongbing (HLB), a serious disease of citrus that affects several U.S. states and territories. This framework will allow USDA and its many partners to better coordinate HLB resources, share information and develop operational strategies to maximize effectiveness.

See related resource: Data Visualization Tools to explore plant and animal health management data and interactive story maps