2019 ASHS Annual Conference

Citrus is a multibillion-dollar industry and has been commercially farmed since the mid -1800s in the USA. In recent years, Huanglongbing [HLB, caused by the phloem specific Asian Citrus Psyllid vectored Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) bacterium] has spread to all the major citrus producing states causing substantial economic losses. HLB results in the development of bitter-tasting and undersized fruit. In advanced stages of infection there is severe defoliation and all trees severely infected with this disease ultimately die. Additionally, none of the major commercial citrus cultivars are resistant to HLB with grapefruits and sweet oranges being very susceptible. All citrus producing counties in Florida (56 percent of the total U.S. citrus crop) currently have HLB. Several parts of Texas and the Riverside area of California have also reported HLB positive trees. The best solution to sustain this industry is to develop strategies that can allow citrus groves to co-exist with endemic HLB by developing tolerant cultivars, managing the tree health and controlling the bacterial development inside the tree.This workshop will discuss the impact of HLB on crop production and productivity and strategies to survive under an endemic HLB environment.