3. HLB in the US - a nurseryman's perspective

The United States still doesn’t have the full picture of the effect Huánglóngbìng or Citrus Greening Disease is having on production. That’s according to Nate Jameson who owns Brite Leaf Citrus Nursery in Florida. Nate said once HLB enters a country, there’s little hope of eradication due to the long lead time between infection and detection.  HLB has had a massive impact on Florida’s economy. In 2003-2004, the citrus industry contributed US$9.3 billion into the economy, produced 292 million boxes of fruit from the 748,000 acres of citrus production and sustained 76,300 jobs. By 2016-2017 that had dropped to $7.2bn, 78 million boxes of fruit, 447,000 productive acres and 51,000 jobs.

Take home messages: Early detection of the disease is critical to have any chance of eradication. It is also important for growers to have a good Biosecurity Plan in the event an incursion occurs. Growers and retailers need to use plant material from a reputable nursery that uses high health propagation material that has been tested for viruses and pathogens. Equally important is for the citrus industry to have a nursery system that is traceable.