citrus greening disease
Citrus greening disease, also known as huanglongbing (HLB), is a serious bacterial infection that affects citrus trees. It is caused by the bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, which is spread by the Asian citrus psyllid, a small insect. Infected trees show symptoms like yellowing leaves, misshapen fruit, and ultimately, tree decline.
This disease poses a significant threat to the citrus industry, impacting crops like oranges, lemons, and limes. There is currently no cure for citrus greening, making prevention and management crucial for farmers. Efforts include controlling the psyllid population and removing infected trees to protect healthy ones.