Jun 9, 2008 9:38 AM, By Paul L. Hollis
Farm Press Editorial Staff
Citrus greening has been described as the worlds most serious citrus disease, and researchers are combining their efforts to help combat this threat to an important Florida industry. Citrus greening is a fatal disease that has never been successfully eradicated in other parts of the world.
The disease, which slowly weakens and kills all types of citrus trees, causes fruit to become lopsided and taste bitter, making it unusable. Fruit does not develop the desired color, hence the greening name.
There is no known cure for the disease, which is on the U.S. Department of Agricultures select list of threats to plants and wildlife regulated by the Agricultural Bioterrorism Protection Act. The disease does not harm people.
The scientific name for citrus greening huanglongbing means yellow shoot which describes the symptom of a bright yellow shoot that commonly occurs on a sector of infected trees. It is a serious disease of citrus because it affects all citrus cultivars and causes decline of trees.
Citrus greening has seriously affected citrus production in a number of countries in Asia, Africa, the Indian subcontinent and the Arabian Peninsula, and was discovered in July 2004 in Brazil. Wherever the disease has appeared, citrus production has been compromised with the loss of millions of trees. It has not been reported in Australia or in the Mediterranean Basin.
In August 2005, the disease was found in the south Florida areas of Homestead and Florida City. Since that time, multiple residential and commercial citrus sites have been found infected with citrus greening. The type found is the Asian form which occurs in warm low altitude areas.
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http://southeastfarmpress.com/news/citrus-greening-0609/ 
