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Learn about tools used in the battle against HLB

This website describes the existing and new tools being developed by researchers to protect citrus from damage from the causative agent of huanglongbing (HLB), Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas).

Questions? We have answers.

We have a PowerPoint presentation, prepared for grower and end-user audiences and tailored for specific venues, which provides general background on the genetics that are used to modify crops, and provide information on state and national regulatory approaches and consumer attitudes. Here are examples of the questions that are addressed:

What are the general processes of genetically modifying plants and insects?
When and where did huanglongbing (HLB) come from?
What are some genetic approaches to controlling HLB?
What is consumer response to engineered crops and foods?

Technologies developed to fight HLB

Every year diverse ecosystems throughout the United States are invaded by new, often-destructive exotic pests, resulting in annual economic losses in the billions.

Researchers around the nation are collaborating to find ways to alter the psyllid or the plant to fight the currently incurable HLB disease that has devastated Florida citrus and is threatening California, Texas and Arizona citrus.

Altering the psyllid: Approaches to altering the psyllid include infecting psyllids with Wohlbachia or viruses that reduce their ability to reproduce or their ability to transmit the Clas bacterium and also directly transforming the genes of the psyllid.

Altering the plant: Numerous laboratories are conducting traditional breeding programs and genetic engineering of citrus to create HLB-resistant plants.

It is likely that more than one approach will be needed to fully control this disease. Details about this work, along with other advances in citrus research, can be seen by visiting our Research Snapshots pages.