Plant Pathology
Plant pathology researchers study a wide array of citrus diseases and look at it from different viewpoints such as an applied science (grove management) to the molecular level. Diseases, especially huanglongbing (HLB; citrus greening) and citrus canker, have profoundly changed the way we grow citrus in Florida and have been economically devastating to our industry. Other diseases present a serious threat to the Florida citrus industry and management strategies are different for various diseases whether it be fungal, bacterial or viral, therefore, proper identification is the first step in management.
There are many resources to aid in the identification and management of diseases such as the UF/IFAS Plant Diagnostic Center, EDIS, and the Florida Citrus Production Guide. If you suspect you have an exotic disease, report it to the local Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service's CHRP office for further diagnostic testing. Do not move infected plant material, fruit, or insects out of your area.
