WASHINGTON, DC - As citrus greening, also known as Huanglongbing disease (HLB), continues to pose a critical threat to the citrus industry, the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Organic Agriculture and Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) is taking initiatives to help find solutions. Recently, this came in the form of a grant that will advance pivotal research to aid organic producers in the fight against the disease.

“The studies will provide tools to manage the spread of HLB and the insect that spreads the disease on organic farms and to integrate into the conventional and area-wide management programs,” said Dr. Jawwad Qureshi, Associate Professor of Entomology at the University of Florida. “This will help reduce the spread and severity of the HLB in the regions where this disease is present.”

The grant gives $2,032,887 to a team of scientists from the University of Florida, Texas A&M University, and The Organic Century led by Dr. Qureshi, for a four-year project, a release explained. This team will focus on providing organic citrus growers across the country with vital tools to manage and reduce the spread of citrus greening.

The Organic Center, an independent non-profit educational and research organization operating under the administrative auspices of the Organic Trade Association, received a sub-award of $114,630 to conduct national-level outreach and education efforts.

“We are deeply heartened by this award, which is the culmination of many years of fundraising and grant writing,” said Dr. Amber Sciligo, Director of Science Programs for The Organic Center. “Citrus greening continues to devastate the citrus industry, and organic growers need to have organic solutions to fight this deadly disease without resorting to dangerous chemicals or genetic engineering.”

Citrus greening has destroyed millions of acres of citrus crops throughout the U.S. The disease spreads quickly, and within four to five years, can kill a tree. Conventional strategies to control the disease have not yet proven effective and most center around the application of chemical insecticides, which is prohibited by organic standards.

To learn more about the effects of citrus greening and how these organizations are seeking solutions, click here.

As more steps are taken to protect the $90 million American citrus industry from citrus greening, keep reading AndNowUKnow for insights.

United States Department of Agriculture