Citrus Greening/HLB

Citrus greening, also known as Huanglongbing (HLB), is a devastating bacterial disease that affects citrus trees worldwide. The disease is caused by the bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, which is transmitted by the Asian citrus psyllid insect. Citrus greening is characterized by the yellowing of leaves, stunted growth, and misshapen and bitter fruit that is unsuitable for sale.

Citrus greening was first identified in southern China in the early 1900s, and has since spread to other parts of Asia, Africa, South America, and the United States. The disease is believed to have originated in Asia, specifically in the Yunnan province of China.

The 10 countries most affected by citrus greening include Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, the Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, the United States, and Vietnam. Brazil is the largest producer of citrus fruits in the world and has been severely impacted by the disease.

Current practices to manage the disease involve a combination of practices, including removal of infected trees, insecticide treatments to control the Asian citrus psyllid, and planting resistant varieties of citrus and strategies, such as attempts at breeding genetically modified citrus trees that are resistant to the bacterium. Despite these efforts, the disease continues to pose a significant threat to the global citrus industry, with billions of dollars in economic losses reported each year

Independent research has proven that AgNPs are the silver bullet everyone has been looking for. In one study, claims that AgNPs is the cure for citrus greening resulting in improvement to the physiological, biochemical, and fruit parameters of the tree. The trees were healthier, produced more yield, were sweeter and bigger.  Other studies where AgNps were applied to infected citrus plants, resulting in a significant reduction in the bacterial population in the plants. The AgNPs were found to be effective in reducing the symptoms of citrus greening and promoting healthier growth of the trees., and could aid in developing biological controls to combat the Asian citrus psyllid.

Downloads: 

1. Phytomediated Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs) Embellish Antioxidant Defense System, Ameliorating HLB-Diseased ‘Kinnow’ Mandarin Plants 
2. Argovit™ silver nanoparticles to fight Huanglongbing disease in Mexican limes (Citrus aurantifolia Swingle) 
3. Impact of Silver Nanoparticles on Lemon Growth Performance: Insecticidal and Antifungal Activities of Essential Oils From Peels and Leaves
4. Silver Nanoparticles as a Potent Fungicide for Citrus Phytopathogenic Fungi 
5. Delivery, Fate, and Mobility of Silver Nanoparticles in Citrus Trees