citrus affected by HLB
citrus leaves
citrus trees closeup

How It Works

This potent bactericide can be applied with existing pesticide application equipment. It uses specifically designed nanoparticles to allow for systemic activity from spray or drench applications while avoiding phytotoxicity.

What is HLB?

Huanglongbing (HLB), also called citrus greening, is an invasive disease of citrus that is devastating the largest citrus industry in the US and threatening the other major citrus-producing regions. This disease causes significant crop loss for citrus growers because of increased premature fruit drop and reduced fruit quality (fruit is small and unpalatable).

  • The bacteria that causes the disease, Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, is transmitted by insects (the Asian citrus psyllid), and control of insect vector or bacterial plant pathogen has proven difficult.
  • Few bactericides are currently available, and due to the mode of insect transmission – bypassing the protective barrier bactericides provide on the outside of the plant – their efficacy is limited.

© 2016-2021 NMSU Board of Regents. All rights reserved. NMSU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and educator.

This material is based upon work that is supported by the Specialty Crop Research Initiative, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2015-70016-23010. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The University of Florida, Auburn University, the University of Central Florida, the Ohio State University and New Mexico State University are equal opportunity educators/employers.

NMSU does not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, retaliation, serious medical condition, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, spousal affiliation or protected veteran status in its programs and activities as required by equal opportunity/affirmative action regulations and laws and university policy and rules. For more information please read the NMSU Notice of Non-discrimination (open a new window).

To view the Privacy Policy (open a new window).