- Author: Elizabeth Grafton-Cardwell
- Author: Barbara Alonso
Canines have a highly sensitive scent detection capability that is significantly better (parts per trillion) than most laboratory instruments and they can be trained to “alert” (either sit or lay) when they detect specific ‘smells' (known as scent signatures). Most people are familiar with their ability to detect bombs, drugs, and plant material at airports. However, canines are also used to detect agricultural pests and diseases.
For the past 5 years in Florida, researchers have been training and evaluating the efficacy of canines for detecting “Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus” (CLas), the bacterium that causes huanglongbing (HLB) and CLas detection efforts with canines have recently begun in California.
How can these dogs help in the fight against huanglongbing (HLB)? Visit the Research Snapshot page to learn more: https://ucanr.edu/sites/scienceforcitrushealth/Research_Snapshots/Gottwald/
About Research Snapshots
We have developed short, descriptions of research projects that aim to help in the fight against HLB. These projects include traditional breeding and genetic engineering to create resistant citrus varieties, psyllid modification, using other organisms to deliver HLB-resistance genes, and early detection of the bacterium in trees.
- Author: Elizabeth E Grafton-Cardwell
- Author: Barbara Alonso
Dr. Lukasz Stelinski, an Associate Professor at the University of Florida, is researching attractants and traps as a way to deal with Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), in order to reduce the incidence of Huanglongbing disease.
How do the traps work? Download the Research Snapshot to learn more.
About Research Snapshots
- Author: Barbara Alonso
- Author: Elizabeth Grafton-Cardwell
- Author: Peggy Lemaux
- Author: Lukasz Stelinski
Since our last blog post, we have been busy writing up various new Research Snapshots covering a variety of projects aimed to help in the fight against Huanglongbing (HLB) the bacterial disease that is devastating US citrus and the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) that vectors it Examples of our latest Snapshots include:
- The value of early detection technologies (EDTs) for HLB
- Using peptides as a preventative approach to target the psyllid and the pathogen
- Growing citrus under enclosures
- Area-wide management of ACP to limit the spread of HLB in California
- HLB control: capitalization on resistance in Poncirus trifoliata to Asian citrus psyllid
We work directly with researchers to obtain information what they are doing, how they are doing it and the current status of their efforts. We then present their project in easy to understand terms to help you learn about various approaches to combatting the disease. Research Snapshots, available on the website, can be used as fact sheets at educational venues.
Snapshots are put into one of five categories, which are color-coded and interlinked to make use easier. New snapshots are being added each month.
- Early Detection Techniques: Methods to detect HLB disease early in the infection process
- Established Orchards: Tactics applied to established orchards to protect against HLB
- Existing Tools: Existing tools for managing the psyllid and the disease
- Psyllid: Methods to affect the psyllid so that it can not spread to HLB
- Replants: Long-term tactics for HLB protection, but require replanting citrus
You can see at a glance which projects have been highlighted in a list posted on the Research Snapshot webpage