Citrus Greening
DISEASE SYMPTOMS
- yellow shoots
- mottled leaves
- small fruit with poor juice quality
Picture Credit: European and Mediterranean
Plant Protection Organization (EPPO)
- "Citrus Diseases Exotic to Florida"
- "Citrus Greening - Another Threat to Agriculture"
- Resources & Information - Citrus Research & Education Center (IFAS)
- Greening information hub - SPDN
CAUSAL AGENT
- In Florida, the disease is associated with Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, a bacterium that has not yet been cultured in the laboratory.
- In other parts of the world, this is disease is associated with Candidatus L. americanus and Candidatus L. africanus and may be spread by psyllids, insects that feed on plant juice.
HOST RANGE
- several citrus species
GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION
As of December 2005, this disease has been detected in eight counties in south Florida.
SPREAD OF THE PATHOGEN and CONTROL OPTIONS
- In Florida, this disease is spread by an insect (a psyllid, Diaphorina citri) and is spread by this and other psyllids in other countries.
- It is controlled by eliminating infected trees and treating the psyllids with insecticides
Location: http://epi.ufl.edu/plant/citrusgreening.shtml