- Author: Barbara Alonso
- Author: Elizabeth E Grafton-Cardwell
- Author: Peggy G. Lemaux
Dr. Johan Leveau, a Professor of Plant Pathology at UC Davis, is comparing the differences between healthy citrus trees and citrus trees infected with the bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), that causes Huanglongbing disease (HLB). The most obvious difference is the presence of CLas DNA in infected plants. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a test that can detect CLas DNA and is currently the only way to confirm the presence of the bacterium in trees.
Download the Research Snapshot to learn more, and visit our Research Snapshots page.
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.