AgriLife Research scientists switch from defense to offense to fight the U.S.’s most devastating citrus disease.

Life might be trying to take its lemons back.

Over the past few decades, citrus trees across the country have fallen victim to citrus greening, a disease that has wiped out large swaths of Florida’s once-thriving orange groves.

The disease has made its way to Texas and California, the next two largest citrus-producing states, and now threatens every glass of orange juice and slice of grapefruit along with the industries and growers they support.

From 2008 to 2012, the disease spread to Georgia, South Carolina, Louisiana, Texas and California. While initially only detected in residential areas in California, each passing year means an increased risk to large-scale commercial groves in the vicinity. In Texas, it has spread to both residential and commercial groves over the years.

To protect the economic and cultural impact of citrus, Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientists led by Kranthi Mandadi, Ph.D., are seeking novel solutions to support the citrus industry.

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