HLB Resistant Citrus Cultivars
With your Southeast Regional Ag Report, I'm Trevor Williams.
Citrus [Industry.net](http://industry.net) is reporting that HLB-resistant citrus crops might not be far off as a new research project is aimed at combating the disease. HLB, or Citrus greening disease, is one of the most destructive diseases of citrus worldwide. First discovered in the United States in 2005, HLB continues to impact Florida citrus crops as well as crops in California and throughout the world.
While there is no cure for HLB, the University of Florida's Institue of Food and Agricultural Sciences, along with other land-grant colleges Texas A&M and Washington State, is developing citrus cultivars that are resistant to the disease.
Researchers from The University of California-Riverside, have been breeding citrus varieties using several Australian cultivars which show high resistance to HLB. The cultivars are shaping up to be just as profitable as current citrus varieties.
The study, which is beginning its three-year phase, will be working with several Florida citrus growers to test the cultivars as well as best management practices for improving the growing conditions for these crops.
