Huanglongbing (HLB) Resources

The citrus industry commands much of the global fruit scenario. In terms of value, it is the most produced and traded fruit. It has been reported that citrus is produced in 140 countries worldwide, and production is increasing annually. In recent years, consumer preference for healthy and nutritious fruit has resulted in the increased demand for fresh and processed citrus.

While the citrus industry lucrative, growers and producers still have to grapple with the problem of diseases that have plagued the industry in the major producing countries. Common diseases of citrus are citrus canker, tristeza, foot rot (phytophthora) and citrus greening. Citrus greening or Huanglongbin is a serious disease and attempts to prevent or eradicate it have not been successful.

This blog site is set up as a platform where those involved in the citrus industry such as researchers, growers, agronomists and others can interact to share their views and experiences in combating this devastating disease of citrus.

Huanglongbing (HLB) Resources

Huanglongbing (HLB), also known as Citrus Greening Disease, is a bacterial plant disease that – while not harmful to human health – destroys the production, appearance and economic value of citrus trees and the taste of the fruit and juice.

List of resources :

• Huanglongbing (HLB) or Citrus Greening Disease: Potential bacterial killer of California citrus
• Huanglongbing (HLB)/Citrus Greening Disease
• Asian Citrus Psyllid
• Citrus Greening Disease

World Trade and Sanitary/Phytosanitary (SPS) Regulation

The vapour heat treatment(VHT) is one of the phytosanitary measures taken to control fruit fly larvae in imported fresh fruits, especially mango and papaya. VHT is a requirement for fruit imports into Japan. In a visit to Thailand recently, a company exporting fresh fruits to Japan (mangos and mangosteens) also had mangosteens subjected to VHT. For those familiar with tropical fruits, the mangosteen, due to the thickness and constituency of its rind (skin) is not normally associated with fruit fly infestation. As VHT is expensive, it is not practical to have mangosteens go through the treatment. Comments anybody ?