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Improved early detection of CLas infections in citrus

Project ID:

5300-176

Principal Investigator:

Greg McCollum

Principal Investigator Affiliation:

United States Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research Service

Co-Investigators:

N/A

Collaborators:

  • Madhurababu Kunta

Start Date:

2016

Estimated Duration:

3 year(s)

Completed Date:

10/2019

Annual Funding:

N/A

Early detection of CLas infection is extremely challenging, but essential to minimize the risk of HLB epidemics. The current PCR based method approved for CLas detection is highly sensitive and specific when samples contain even very low CLas populations, however, the pathogen is not evenly distributed throughout trees, especially within a short time following infection. Because ACP prefer feeding on the youngest citrus shoot tips, sampling shoot tips for CLas diagnostics will allow for earlier and more reliable confirmation of infection.

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