2018 ASHS Annual Conference

In the U.S., citrus greening or Huanglongbing (HLB) disease is devastating the citrus industry in Florida and starting to spread in Texas and California. No known HLB resistance exists among the cultivated citrus. There is a dire need to control HLB. In this workshop, I will discuss our ongoing efforts to develop HLB-tolerant citrus utilizing the latest genomics, genetics, and biotechnology tools. Furthermore, through partnerships with the citrus industry we are working towards deregulation and commercial deployment of HLB-tolerant transgenic citrus. Such private-public partnerships are critical to save the 1 million commercial citrus acres and $3 billion in annual losses caused by citrus greening in the U.S.