Combatting Huanglongbing in Organic Systems

Abstract

Huanglongbing (HLB), also commonly known as Citrus Greening Disease, is a wide-spread citrus disease that has devastated the citrus industry. While substantial research has been conducted investigating HLB control methods, the majority of this research is focused on techniques that are not compliant with organic regulations. Management of the HLB vector, the Asian citrus psyllid in conventional citrus is based largely on intensive use of synthetic insecticides, which are banned from use under organic management. Research specifically targeted at investigating control of Huanglongbing in organic systems are rare. However, some studies on conventional groves have included methods that potentially could be incorporated into organic protocols. This review examines research from multiple citrus systems to distill the techniques that could be used under organic certification to help control HLB. Examination of available literature, unpublished research data and grower observations have produced evidence that Citrus Greening may be managed and marketable fruit produced. Strict disease prevention, diligent scouting, ACP control, nutritional support of healthy and infected trees, implementation of biological controls and the planting of cultivars considered tolerant or resistant to HLB may be combined to give organic growers as good a chance as any to produce marketable fruit. The inherent restrictions of organic production may force growers to utilize the very techniques that create a sustainable growing system that puts tree health first; that alone may carry the organic citrus grower past the conventional grower in weathering the storm.