ARS | Publication request: A Perspective of Research on HLB and its Vector in the United States

Submitted to: International Research Conference on Huanglongbing
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: July 23, 2010
Publication Date: August 4, 2010
Citation: Hall, D.G., Gottwald, T.R., Arnold, C.E. 2010. A Perspective of Research on HLB and its Vector in the United States. In: Proceedings of North American Plant Protection Organization, Second Taller Internacional Sobre Huanglongbing y el Psilido Asiatico de los Citricos, July 19 - 23, 2010, Merida, Mexico.

Technical Abstract: A perspective of research on HLB and ACP in the United States is presented. The 1998 discovery of ACP in the United States prompted a relatively small number of immediate but uncoordinated research efforts in Florida citrus during the late 1990s and early 2000s. This initial pulse of research on ACP in Florida was followed by a period of time when little research attention was directed toward ACP. The 2005 discovery of HLB in Florida catapulted a surge of research by USDA-ARS and the University of Florida. The Florida Citrus Industry responded to the HLB crisis by increasing Florida Department of Citrus funds for HLB research. The Citrus Industry pressed USDA-ARS in Washington for increased research on HLB, not only by ARS scientists in Florida but also by ARS scientists across the nation. As more monies became available for the fight against HLB, the need increased to identify and prioritize research projects for funding. These needs were magnified by the invasion of ACP into California and Arizona. Considerable attention has been given to identifying and prioritizing research needs related to HLB, with five separate national meetings being held to formulate and prioritize research directions. The outcomes of these organized efforts to identify and prioritize research projects on ACP and HLB were similar. The National Academy of Sciences (National Research Council) developed a strategic research HLB plan for the Florida Citrus Industry. This plan (www.nap.edu/catalog/12880.html) was unveiled during spring 2010. Florida citrus growers are presently providing about US$16 million annually in support of citrus production research.This sum is approximately 60% of the total funds being spent on citrus research in Florida, $26.7 million (about 40 percent is from federal and state budgets, about US$10.7 million).