Citrus greening: Florida's orange crisis and the global threat

HLB, or 'yellow dragon disease', has led to the destruction of more than 100 million infected citrus trees in China, and more than 56 million in Brazil

Orange citrus infected with HLB also known as yellow dragon or citrus greening is one of the most devastating diseases of citrus caused by bacteria Candidatus Liberibacter

Florida's orange production has reduced by 92.5% since 2006, mainly due to a disease called citrus greening.

Known by scientists as HLB, an abbreviation of a Chinese word that literally means “yellow dragon disease”, citrus greening has led to the destruction of more than 100 million infected citrus trees in China, and more than 56 million have been taken out in Brazil.