ARS | Publication request: Npdn Citrus Greening Diagnostic and Detection Efforts

Submitted to: National Plant Diagnosic Network
Publication Type: Abstract
Publication Acceptance Date: January 28, 2007
Publication Date: January 28, 2007
Citation: Harmon, C.L., Keremane, M.L., Schubert, T.S. 2007. NPDN Citrus Greening Diagnostic and Detection Efforts. National Plant Diagnosic Network, 2007 National Meeting.

Technical Abstract: The National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN) has been involved in detection and diagnosis of many new plant diseases, including citrus greening, huanglongbing (HLB), caused by a fastidious bacterium, Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus. The pathogen is on the USDA List of Select Agents, which indicates its importance to citrus production, but also complicates development of diagnostic methods. Current approved methods require specific real-time PCR technology and are complicated by the difficulty with which DNA is extracted from citrus tissue. During the time that the USDA was working to assess the extent of spread of this pathogen, NPDN diagnosticians were continuing to obtain training in identification methods. Since the pathogen was detected in Florida in 2005, tremendous national and regional efforts have been expended to train diagnosticians, develop new methods, and train first detectors in detection. University, government, and private partners have contributed to a wealth of information and resources that have supported the national effort to protect US citrus production.