2-year old ‘Hamlin’ sweet orange in Florida with red or white particle films

How are particle films being used to help fight against huanglongbing (HLB)? Visit the Research Snapshot page to learn more:  https://ucanr.edu/sites/scienceforcitrushealth/Research_Snapshots/Vincent 

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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.

CLas hairy root culture production and high-throughput screening of inhibitors in vitro.

Candidatus liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), the bacterium thought to cause huanglongbing (HLB), cannot be grown using traditional laboratory methods in petri dishes on agar and nutrients.  The inability to culture the HLB bacterium, CLas, in the lab makes it very difficult to develop a cure for the disease. 

Dr. Kranthi Mandadi's research team has developed a novel technique for laboratory cultivation of CLas, using so-called hairy roots, which are plant tissues that mimic a microbe's natural environment. Hairy root cultures support CLas bacterial growth and these cultures can be used to screen antimicrobials to find compounds that control and/or suppress CLas. Once discovered, antimicrobials could be applied to citrus trees to prevent establishment or reduce the impact of HLB.

How does it work? Visit the Research Snapshot page to learn more: https://ucanr.edu/sites/scienceforcitrushealth/Research_Snapshots/Mandadi/

About Research Snapshots