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. Click on the links below to explore Science for Citrus Health.

Technology is available

Technology in progress

Research Snapshot Categories

General Topics

New genome editing technologies - CRISPR
Drs. Peggy Lemaux, Becky Mackelprang (UC Berkeley) and Elizabeth Grafton-Cardwell (UC Riverside). Updated 12/20/18.

Genes, Genomes and Genetic Engineering in Citrus
Drs. Peggy Lemaux (UC Berkeley) and Elizabeth Grafton-Cardwell (UC Riverside). Updated 12/20/18.

How is the HLB-associated bacterium detected in citrus trees and Asian citrus psyllids?
Dr. Greg McCollum, USDA, ARS, Fort Pierce, FL. Updated 7/24/18.

The value of early detection technologies (EDTs) for HLB management
Dr. Neil McRoberts, University of California, Davis. Updated 6/4/18.

Early Detection Techniques

Metabolite changes in the tree can help us detect Huanglongbing
Dr. Carolyn Slupsky, University of California, Davis. Updated 11/13/19.

The ‘nose’ knows: Using citrus odor for early detection of HLB
Dr. Cristina Davis, University of California, Davis. Originally published 2/7/17. Updated 11/1/19.

Canines can detect trees infected with the bacterium that causes huanglongbing
Tim Gottwald, USDA, U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory in Fort Pierce, Florida. Updated 6/13/19.

Starch accumulation sensor for early detection of HLB
Dr. Alireza Pourreza, Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, University of California, Davis, Updated 6/21/18.

The value of early detection technologies (EDTs) for HLB management
Dr. Neil McRoberts, University of California, Davis. Updated 6/4/18.

Changes in microbial communities on citrus leaves can help detect HLB
Dr. Johan Leveau, University of California, Davis. Updated 11/6/17.

Using antibodies for early detection of HLB infection
Dr. Wembo Ma, University of California, Riverside. Updated 10/10/17.

Disease Management

Role of salicylic acid in growing citrus under endemic HLB
Drs. Lukasz Stelinski (University of Florida), Mamoudou Sétamou (Texas A&M), and Freddy Ibanez (University of Florida). Posted 10/8/20.

Automated delivery system for therapeutic materials to treat HLB-infected citrus
Dr. Ozgur Batuman, University of Florida.Updated 5/19/20.

Progress toward HLB-tolerant citrus from conventional plant breeding
Dr. Ed Stover, USDA-ARS, Fort Pierce, FL. Updated 12/4/18.

Controlling psyllid gut cell death to prevent Huanglongbing
Dr. Michelle Heck, USDA-Boyce Thomson Institute. Updated 9/19/18.

Using peptides as a preventive approach to target the psyllid and the pathogen
Dr. Robert Shatters, USDA Horticultural Research Laboratory, Fort Pierce, FL. Updated 5/10/18.

Growing citrus under enclosures
Dr. Rhuanito Soranz Ferrarezi, University of Florida. Updated 4/30/18.

HLB control: capitalizing on resistance in Poncirus trifoliata to Asian citrus psyllid
Dr. David Hall, USDA-ARS, Fort Pierce, FL. Updated 12/12/17.

Using genome editing to develop HLB-resistant or -tolerant citrus
Drs. Wenbo Ma, Gitta Coaker, Nian Wang, Veronica Ancona and Georgios Vidalakis, University of California, Riverside. Updated 10/24/17.

Using tristeza virus to provide citrus with anti-microbial or insecticidal protection
Drs. Bill Dawson and Kirsten Pelz-Stelinski, University of Florida. Updated 8/3/17.

Founder lines used to improve HLB tolerance
Dr. James Thomson, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Albany, CA. Updated 7/19/17.

Disease resistance in citrus with addition of plant defense genes
Drs. Manjul Dutt and Jude Grosser, University of Florida. Updated 5/1/17.

Psyllid Management

Two-pronged approach to suppress the Asian citrus psyllid vector of HLB
Dr. Bryony Bonning, University of Florida. Updated 8/2/2022.

Artificial border fencing and live windbreaks for ACP management
Drs. Mamoudou Sétamou, Texas A&M University Kingsville, and Xavier Martini, University of Florida. Updated 3/11/20.

Using particle films to manage ACP
Dr. Christopher Vincent, University of Florida. Updated 9/6/19.

Attractants and traps for ACP management
Dr. Lukasz Stelinski, University of Florida. Updated 9/25/18.

Controlling psyllid gut cell death to prevent Huanglongbing
Dr. Michelle Heck, USDA-Boyce Thomson Institute. Updated 9/19/18.

Biological control of Asian citrus psyllid in California
Dr. Mark Hoddle, University of California, Riverside. Updated 8/31/18.

Area-wide management of ACP to limit the spread of HLB in California
Dr. Elizabeth Grafton-Cardwell, University of California, Davis. Updated 3/12/18.

Reducing Asian citrus psyllid Infestation and disease incidence with reflective mulches
Drs. Phil Stansly and Scott Croxton, University of Florida. Updated 8/3/17.

Using interference RNA to manage Asian citrus psyllids
Drs. Lukasz Stelinski and Nabil Killiny, University of Florida. Updated 8/3/17.

Altering the Asian citrus psyllid’s beneficial bacteria to stop HLB spread
Dr. Kirsten Pelz-Stelinski, University of Florida. Updated 8/3/17.

Using tristeza virus to provide citrus with anti-microbial or insecticidal protection
Drs. Bill Dawson and Kirsten Pelz-Stelinski, University of Florida. Updated 8/3/17.

A new, Bt toxin-based strategy for suppression of the Asian citrus psyllid vector of HLB
Dr. Bryony Bonning, University of Florida. Updated 7/24/17.

Using insect viruses to combat the Asian citrus psyllid
Dr. Bryce Falk, University of California, Davis. Updated 5/8/17.

Using peptides as a preventive approach to target the psyllid and the pathogen
Dr. Robert Shatters, USDA Horticultural Research Laboratory, Fort Pierce, FL. Updated 5/10/18.

Growing citrus under enclosures
Dr. Rhuanito Soranz Ferrarezi, University of Florida. Updated 4/30/18.

Tools

Novel tools for antimicrobial testing and discovery of new HLB therapies
Kranthi Mandadi, Sonia Irigoyen, Manikandan Ramasamy, Peggy G. Lemaux, Lukasz Stelinski, Madison Sankovitz, Monique Rivera Posted July 2021.

Living with HLB - Area-wide integrated management system for ACP in Texas
Drs. Mamoudou Sétamou, Texas A&M University Kingsville, and Xavier Martini, University of Florida. Posted 1/11/21.

Studying Liberibacter crescens to learn more about the causal agent of huanglongbing
Dr. Marta Sena-Vélez and Dr. Kathryn Jones, Florida State University. Posted 10/6/20.

Using particle films to manage ACP
Dr. Christopher Vincent, University of Florida. Updated 9/6/19.

Hairy root matrix used to culture CLas to rapidly screen antimicrobials for improved HLB management
Dr. Kranthi Mandadi, Texas A&M University. Updated 5/20/19.

Attractants and traps for ACP management
Dr. Lukasz Stelinski, University of Florida. Updated 9/25/18.

Growing citrus under enclosures
Dr. Rhuanito Soranz Ferrarezi, University of Florida. Updated 4/30/18.

Reducing Asian citrus psyllid Infestation and disease incidence with reflective mulches
Drs. Phil Stansly and Scott Croxton, University of Florida. Updated 8/3/17.

What makes lemons, oranges and limes look and taste different?
Drs. Peggy Lemaux (UC Berkeley) and Elizabeth Grafton-Cardwell (UC Riverside). Updated 1/26/16.

Ongoing NIFA Projects

Accelerating implementation of HLB-tolerant hybrids as new commercial cultivars for fresh and processed citrus
Dr. Jinhe Bai, USDA-ARS, Fort Pierce, FL. Updated 8/8/2022.

Development of antimicrobial peptides from citrus to kill the CLas bacterium causing HLB
Dr. Ed Stover, USDA-ARS, Fort Pierce, FL. Updated 8/2/2022

Developing novel biological delivery methods for therapeutic agents and other biomolecules to enhance production of citrus
Dr. Robert Shatters, USDA Horticultural Research Laboratory, Fort Pierce, FL. Updated 8/2/2022.