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Huanglongbing (HLB) is the most devastating disease for citrus worldwide. Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), vectored by Asian citrus psyllid (ACP, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama), is the most common pathogen causing the disease. Commercial citrus varieties are highly susceptible to HLB, whereas trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata) is considered highly tolerant to HLB. An F1 segregating population and their parent trifoliate orange and sweet orange, which had been exposed to intense HLB pressure for three years, was evaluated for disease symptoms, ACP colonization, CLas titer and tree vigor repeatedly for two to three years. Trifoliate orange and sweet orange showed significant differences for most of the phenotypic traits, and the F1 population exhibited a large variation. A high-density SNP-based genetic map with 1 402 markers was constructed for trifoliate orange, which exhibited high synteny and high coverage of its reference genome. A total of 26 quantitative trait locus (QTLs) were identified in four linkage groups LG-t6, LG-t7, LG-t8 and LG-t9, of which four QTL clusters exhibit a clear co-localization of QTLs associated with different traits. Through genome-wide analysis of gene expression in response to CLas infection in 'Flying Dragon' and 'Larger-Flower DPI-50-7' trifoliate orange, 85 differentially expressed genes were found located within the QTL clusters. Among them, seven genes were classified as defense or immunity protein which exhibited the highest transcriptional change after CLas infection. Our results indicate a quantitative genetic nature of HLB tolerance and identified candidate genes that should be valuable for searching for genetic solutions to HLB through breeding or genetic engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Huanglongbing (HLB) is a disease that has devastated the Florida citrus industry, threatens the entire U.S. citrus industry, and globally is rapidly spreading. Florida's citrus production is 90% sweet orange, which is quite sensitive to HLB. The heavy reliance on sweet orange for Florida citrus production makes the industry especially vulnerable to diseases that are damaging to this type of citrus. Furthermore, 90% of Florida oranges are used in producing orange juice that is defined by a federal regulation known as the "orange juice standard", specifying that at least 90% of "orange juice" must be derived from Citrus sinensis. Genomic analyses definitively reveal that sweet orange is not a true species, but just one of many introgression hybrids of C. reticulata and C. maxima, with phenotypic diversity resulting from accumulated mutations in this single hybrid, the "sweet orange". No other fruit industry is limited by law to such a narrow genetic base. Fortunately, there are new citrus hybrids displaying reduced sensitivity to HLB, and in some cases they produce juice, alone or in blends, that consumers would recognize as "orange juice". Reconsidering current regulations on orange juice standards may permit use of such hybrids in "orange juice", providing greater latitude for commercialization of these hybrids, leading to higher-quality orange juice and a more sustainable Florida orange juice industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Huanglongbing (HLB), or citrus greening, is the most devastating disease in citrus worldwide. Commercial citrus varieties including sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) are highly susceptible to HLB, and trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata , a close Citrus relative) is widely considered resistant or highly tolerant to HLB. In this study, an intergeneric F1 population of sweet orange and trifoliate orange was genotyped by Genotyping-by-Sequencing, and high-density SNP-based genetic maps were constructed separately for trifoliate orange and sweet orange. The two genetic maps exhibited high synteny and high coverage of the citrus genome. Progenies of the F1 population and their parents were planted in a replicated field trial, exposed to intense HLB pressure for 3 years, and then evaluated for susceptibility to HLB over 2 years. The F1 population exhibited a wide range in severity of HLB foliar symptom and canopy damage. Genome-wide QTL analysis based on the phenotypic data of foliar symptom and canopy damage in 2 years identified three clusters of repeatable QTLs in trifoliate orange linkage groups LG-t6, LG-t8 and LG-t9. Co-localization of QTLs for two traits was observed within all three regions. Additionally, one cluster of QTLs in sweet orange (linkage group LG-s7) was also detected. The majority of the identified QTLs each explained 18–30% of the phenotypic variation, indicating their major role in determining HLB responses. These results show, for the first time, a quantitative genetic nature yet the presence of major loci for the HLB tolerance in trifoliate orange. The results suggest that sweet orange also contains useful genetic factor(s) for improving HLB tolerance in commercial citrus varieties. Findings from this study should be very valuable and timely to researchers worldwide as they are hastily searching for genetic solutions to the devastating HLB crisis through breeding, genetic engineering, or genome editing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The U.S. Department of Agriculture citrus scion breeding program is urgently working on developing huanglongbing (HLB; pathogen Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus)-tolerant cultivars with excellent fruit quality and productivity when HLB-affected. The slow process of assessing new citrus hybrids is a major impediment to delivery of these much-needed cultivars. We generate thousands of hybrids each year, germinate the seedlings, grow them for 2 years in the greenhouse, plant them at high density in a field where the disease HLB is abundant, grow them for 5 to 10 years, and make selections based on tree performance and fruit quality of these HLB-affected trees. Based on promising reports of accelerated citrus growth when grown in a metallized reflective mulch (MRM) system, we tested the hypothesis that the MRM system may accelerate growth and selection of new hybrid seedlings compared with conventional soil culture (CSC). In the MRM system, tree rows are covered with a layer of metallized plastic film and drip irrigation is installed beneath the plastic. In 2 years of analysis, tree canopy volume was significantly greater with MRM in 2020 (27% greater than CSC) but not in 2021, and MRM tree height was greater in 2021 (7% greater than CSC). Mortality was significantly greater with MRM in both 2020 and 2021(in 2021: 32% vs. 17% under CSC), and MRM trees had more chlorotic leaves. Because of staff limitations, plant debris and soil were not routinely cleared from MRM, thus diminishing any benefit from the reflective surface. Better maintenance might have resulted in more sustained evidence of MRM growth benefits. With the current resource availability, the MRM system does not appear to accelerate the assessment of hybrid seedling trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a Fort Pierce, FL, field planting, plant growth, and Huanglongbing (HLB) severity were assessed as indicators of HLB tolerance on progenies of 83 seed-source accessions of Citrus and Citrus relatives mainly from the Riverside, CA, genebank. The HLB-associated pathogen [Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas)] and vector [asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri] were abundant, and trees were naturally challenged for 6 years before metrics (leaf mottle, percent canopy mottle, overall health, canopy density, canopy width, canopy height, and trunk diameter) were collected in Oct. and Nov. 2015. The healthiest trees with low or no HLB symptoms were distant citrus relatives: Balsamocitrus dawei, Bergera koenigii, Casimiroa edulis, Clausena excavata, Murraya paniculata, and one accession of Severinia buxifolia. Within Citrus, most of the healthiest trees with densest canopies, little leaf loss, and greater growth were those with pedigrees that included Citrus medica (citron). These included progenies of Citrus hybrid ('Limon Real'), Citrus limetta, Citrus limettioides, Citrus limonia, C. medica, Citrus volkameriana, and some Citrus limon accessions. Trees in this category exhibited distinct leaf-mottle characteristic of HLB and substantial pathogen titers, but maintained dense canopies and exhibited good growth. Trees from seed-source accessions in the genus Citrus without citron in their background were generally among the least healthy overall with less dense canopies. The exceptions were progenies of two Citrus aurantium accessions, which were markedly healthier than progenies of other Citrus seed-source accessions not derived from citron. Linear regression analysis, between metrics collected and pedigree of seed parent, indicated that percentage of citron in the pedigree significantly correlated with measures of tolerance. Although no commercial Citrus genotypes yielded progenies with strong HLB resistance, in this field experiment several progenies maintained dense canopies and good growth, and may be useful for breeding HLB tolerant cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Huanglongbing (HLB or citrus greening disease) caused by Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (Las) is a great threat to the US citrus industry. There are no proven strategies to eliminate HLB disease and no cultivar has been identified with strong HLB resistance. Citrus canker is also an economically important disease associated with a bacterial pathogen (Xanthomonas citri). In this study, we characterized endogenous citrus thionins and investigated their expression in different citrus tissues. Since no HLB-resistant citrus cultivars have been identified, we attempted to develop citrus resistant to both HLB and citrus canker through overexpression of a modified plant thionin. To improve effectiveness for disease resistance, we modified and synthesized the sequence encoding a plant thionin and cloned into the binary vector pBinPlus/ARS. The construct was then introduced into Agrobacterium strain EHA105 for citrus transformation. Transgenic Carrizo plants expressing the modified plant thionin were generated by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Successful transformation and transgene gene expression was confirmed by molecular analysis. Transgenic Carrizo plants expressing the modified thionin gene were challenged with X. citri 3213 at a range of concentrations, and a significant reduction in canker symptoms and a decrease in bacterial growth were demonstrated compared to nontransgenic plants. Furthermore, the transgenic citrus plants were challenged with HLB via graft inoculation. Our results showed significant Las titer reduction in roots of transgenic Carrizo compared with control plants and reduced scion Las titer 12 months after graft inoculation. These data provide promise for engineering citrus disease resistance against HLB and canker. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessments of the resistance of citrus germplasm to huanglongbing (HLB) can be expedited by inoculating plants under laboratory or greenhouse settings with the HLB bacterium, Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas). Consistent rapid screening is critical to efficiently assess disease resistance among plant materials; however, a number of factors may govern the efficacy of such inoculations. Despite the rapidity at which HLB can spread in a grove, it often takes 8 to 10 months for high levels of CLas and HLB symptoms to develop even in highly susceptible sweet orange. Therefore, two experiments were conducted to assess factors that might influence efficiency in screening for HLB resistance. In one experiment, three test citrus genotypes ('Kuharske', previously shown to be HLB resistant; rough lemon, previously shown to be HLB tolerant; and 'Valencia', HLB susceptible) were bud grafted using CLas-infected buds from four different source genotypes. All bud source genotypes had similar levels of CLas titer, but citron, rough lemon, and Volkamer lemon were hypothesized to be better bud inoculum sources as they are more tolerant of HLB than 'Valencia'. Among the three test genotypes over all sources of infected buds, inoculations of 'Kuharske' resulted in lower CLas titers and fewer HLB symptoms than inoculations of rough lemon or 'Valencia'. Inoculations of rough lemon resulted in higher CLas titers and more pronounced HLB symptoms when it was inoculated using infected buds from rough lemon or 'Valencia'. Grafting 'Valencia' with infected buds from Volkamer lemon resulted in less disease than when 'Valencia' was grafted with infected citron, rough lemon, or 'Valencia' buds. Overall, these results suggest that the source of CLas-infected buds used to graftinoculate some genotypes will influence disease development. Trunk cross-sectional area increase for the year following infection was 33 higher in 'Kuharske' and rough lemon, compared with 'Valencia'. 'Kuharske' had very low levels of CLas (30 CLas/µg DNA), whereas 'Valencia' (43,000 CLas/µg DNA) and rough lemon (6700 CLas/ µg DNA) had relatively high levels. As an alternative to graft-inoculating plants with CLas-infected buds, plants can be subjected to infestations of CLas-infected Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) as occurs naturally. Of interest is if transmission rates of CLas and the development of HLB in a genotype are greater when the ACP have been feeding on the same host genotype. An experiment was therefore conducted to assess transmission of CLas by ACP reared on CLas-infected rough lemon to five different genotypes ('Carrizo', 'Flame' grapefruit, rough lemon, 'Temple', and 'Valencia'). These assessments were made using a detached leaf assay recognized as a faster method of gauging transmission rates of CLas than using whole plants. Higher percentages of ACP died when they were transferred from infected rough lemon to healthy 'Carrizo', and lower percentages died when they were transferred to rough lemon or 'Flame'. However, CLas transmission by infected ACP occurred to at least some leaves of each genotype in each of the five different assays, with 70% or more leaves of each genotype becoming infected in at least one assay. Over all assays, there was relatively little variation among genotypes in the percentage of leaves becoming CLas infected and in the titer of CLas developing in infected leaves. However, there were relatively large differences in transmission rates among individual assays unrelated to differences among test genotypes. Because of the rapidity of the detached leaf assay, efforts are merited to improve consistency of this inoculation method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Huanglongbing (HLB) is currently the most destructive disease of citrus worldwide. Although there is no immune cultivar, field tolerance to HLB within citrus and citrus relatives has been observed at the USDA Picos farm at Ft. Pierce, Florida, where plants have been exposed to a very high level of HLB pressure since 2006. In this study, we used RNA-Seq to evaluate expression differences between two closely related cultivars after HLB infection: HLB-tolerant "Jackson" grapefruit-like-hybrid trees and HLB susceptible "Marsh" grapefruit trees. A total of 686 genes were differentially expressed (DE) between the two cultivars. Among them, 247 genes were up-expressed and 439 were down-expressed in tolerant citrus trees. We also identified a total of 619 genes with significant differential expression of alternative splicing isoforms between HLB tolerant and HLB susceptible citrus trees. We analyzed the functional categories of DE genes using two methods, and revealed that multiple pathways have been suppressed or activated in the HLB tolerant citrus trees, which lead to the activation of the basal resistance or immunity of citrus plants. We have experimentally verified the expressions of 14 up-expressed genes and 19 down-expressed genes on HLB-tolerant "Jackson" trees and HLB-susceptible "Marsh" trees using real time PCR. The results showed that the expression of most genes were in agreement with the RNA-Seq results. This study provided new insights into HLB-tolerance and useful guidance for breeding HLB-tolerant citrus in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The citrus disease huanglongbing (HLB) has become endemic in Florida, with estimates that greater than 80% of citrus trees are currently infected. Although there are no commercial citrus varieties with strong HLB resistance, some field tolerance has been observed in trees exposed to the disease after they were mature. There is great urgency to identify citrus which may permit economic citrus production where HLB is endemic. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess field tolerance to HLB. To expedite the trial due to urgency, nursery trees were purchased on rootstock varieties as available. The trial included the following unbalanced scion/rootstock combinations: 'Hamlin/ Kinkoji', 'Hamlin/Cleopatra', 'Temple/Cleopatra', 'Fallglo/Kinkoji', 'Sugar Belle/Sour Orange', 'Tango/Kuharske', and 'Ruby Red/Kinkoji', with most comparisons based solely on scion/rootstock combinations. A randomized complete block experiment was established at Fort Pierce, FL, in Sept. 2010. All trees exhibited symptoms of HLB and tested positive for the Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) bacterium by Oct. 2012, with similar titers [directly assessed as cycle threshold (Ct) using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)] measured for all scion/rootstocks at most sample dates, but early titer development in 'Ruby Red/Kinkoji' was significantly lower than several other scion/rootstocks. Across all time-points, 'Fallglo/Kinkoji' had the lowest rating of distinctive HLB mottling and 'Ruby Red/Kinkoji' had the highest rating, but 'Sugar-Belle/Sour Orange' had the highest percentage of leaves affected. After 5 years, 'SugarBelle/Sour Orange' and 'Tango/Kuharske' had the greatest overall increase in trunk diameter, and were among the healthiest in overall appearance. In Oct. 2015, 'SugarBelle/Sour Orange' and 'Tango/Kuharske' trees had significantly greater fruit load (80-88 fruit/tree) followed by 'Temple/Cleopatra' and 'Fallglo/Kinkoji' (31-35 fruit/tree) while 'Hamlin/Kinkoji', 'Hamlin/Cleopatra', and 'Ruby Red/Kinkoji' produced less than 20 fruit per tree. Despite becoming infected by CLas in less than 2 years after planting, the trees continued to grow and all scion/rootstocks displayed increasing fruit production, although very low in 'Hamlin/Kinkoji', 'Hamlin/Cleopatra', and 'Ruby Red/Kinkoji'. Growth and fruit production in the highest performing scion/ rootstocks were likely less than would be expected for healthy trees, but these results are promising, with markedly better response of some scion/rootstocks with mandarin hybrid scions compared with trees with sweet orange or grapefruit scions. Larger fully replicated trials are underway. It is noteworthy that the most pronounced HLB symptoms and higher early pathogen titer, which are the two criteria most widely used in assessing HLB resistance, were not associated with the lowest growth and cropping, and focus on early symptomatic traits when screening for resistance may obscure important disease tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A test population consisting of progenies of 92 seed-source genotypes (hereafter called "parent genotypes") of Citrus and Citrus relatives in the field in east-central Florida was assessed after natural freeze events in the winters of 2010 and 2011. Eight seedlings per parent genotype were planted in a randomized complete block design; however, as a result of mortality, the number of plants assessed in some genotype groups was reduced at some or all sampling dates. The citrus diseases huanglongbing and citrus canker were endemic in the planting and may have influenced tree response to cold temperatures. Unusually low temperatures (near -4 °C each winter) for east-central Florida were experienced during the trial period. Defoliation and dieback were significantly greater in the winter of 2011 than in the winter of 2010. The winter in 2011 was preceded by a period of extraordinarily low temperatures in mid-December with no period of cool temperatures to allow trees to acclimate. In 2010 the average defoliation was 53% ± 28% and less than 13% of the trees exhibited any noticeable dieback, whereas in 2011, the average defoliation and dieback were 93% ± 17% and 51% ± 35%, respectively. Within the genus Citrus, several progenies were identified that had 16% to 24% dieback in 2011 and these were from parent genotypes C. reticulata (CRC 2590) (23%), C. sinensis (CRC 3858) (24%), C. maxima (CRC 3945) (16%), C. hassaku (CRC 3907 and 3942) (16% and 17%), C. aurantium (CRC 628 and 2717) (18% and 7%), C. taiwanica (CRC 2588) (21%), and C. neo-aurantium (C. obovoidea + C. unshiu graft chimera) (CRC 3816) (23%). Within other genera in the Aurantiodeae, Poncirus trifoliata (CRCs 301,3957,3549, and 4007), Severinia buxifoiia (CRC 1497), Bergera koenigii (CRC 3165), and Glycosmis pentaphylla (CRC 3285) had the least amount of dieback, all at less than 23%. The two species within the Toddalioideae subfamily of the Rutaceae (Casimiroa edulis and Zanthoxylum ailanthoides) had among the least amount of dieback (1% and 8%, respectively). When considered by groups, the Citrons and Australian natives had the greatest amount of dieback in 2011, 68% and 65%, respectively. The trifoliates (Poncirus and hybrids) had the least dieback, ranging from 4% to 40%. The information from this study may be useful in germplasm enhancement and Citrus breeding targeting greater cold tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Citrus Huanglongbing (HLB) is a bacterial disease with high economic significance. The associated agent Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus is a fastidious, phloem-limited, intracellular bacterium that is transmitted by an insect vector the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP). The genome of Ca. L. asiaticus contains protein secretion machinery that suggests host cell modulation capacity of this bacterium. Results: A total of 28 candidate effectors, an important class of secreted proteins, were predicted from the Ca. L. asiaticus genome. Sequence specific primers were designed for reverse transcription (RT) and quantitative PCR (qPCR), and expression was validated for 20 of the effector candidates in infected citrus with multiple genetic background. Using detached leaf inoculation, the mRNA of effectors was detected from 6 h to 7 days post ACP exposure. It was observed that higher bacterial titers were associated with a larger number of effectors showing amplification across all samples. The effectors' expression were compared in citrus hosts with various levels of HLB tolerance, including susceptible Duncan grapefruit and Washington navel orange, tolerant citron and Cleopatra mandarin, and resistant Pomeroy trifoliate and Carrizo citrange. Across all genotypes relatively high expression was observed for CLIBASIA_03695, CLIBASIA_00460, CLIBASIA_00420, CLIBASIA_04580, CLIBASIA_05320, CLIBASIA_04425, CLIBASIA_00525 and CLIBASIA_05315 in either a host-specific or -nonspecific manners. The two genotypes in each HLB-response group also show effector-expression profiles that seem to be different. In a companion study, the expression of effectors was compared between leaves and roots of own-rooted citrus that had been Ca. L. asiaticus-infected for more than a year. Results indicated relatively high expression of CLIBASIA_03875, CLIBASIA_04800 and CLIBASIA_05640 in all leaf and some root tissues of citron, Duncan and Cleopatra. Conclusion: This temporal and spatial expression analysis of Ca. L. asiaticus effectors identified candidates possibly critical for early bacterial colonization, host tolerance suppression and long-term survival which are all worthy of further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asiatic huanglongbing (HLB) is a devastating disease of citrus associated in North America with the bacterium 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' (LAS) vectored by the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri Kuwayama. ACP management is considered a vital component of a program aimed at reducing the incidence and spread of HLB. Considerable research has been published comparing the efficacy of different insecticides for ACP control as well as on seasonal strategies for applying ACP insecticides. However, published information was largely lacking for even the most intense insecticide programs on their effectiveness for keeping HLB out of a new citrus planting in Florida citrus. We therefore conducted two replicated (individual plots 0.2 to 0.4 ha in size) experiments on protecting young citrus from HLB using different ACP management programs. An intensive insecticide program was evaluated in each experiment: eight annual calendar applications of traditional insecticides (hereafter referred to as the "complete" program). In one experiment, citrus was either planted alone and subjected to the complete program or citrus was interplanted with orange jasmine, Murraya exotica L. (a favored ACP host plant) and subjected to a reduced insecticide program (four calendar sprays of traditional insecticides). There was one set of plots in which both jasmine and citrus were treated with insecticides and one set in which jasmine was not treated at all. In the second experiment, citrus was either subjected to the complete program or to one of two other programs: a reduced insecticide program consisting of five calendar applications of traditional insecticides or a mineral oil program (oil applications every 3 weeks plus one dormant insecticide spray). The results of the two experiments were similar. Relatively good ACP control was achieved under each ACP management program during the first year but, as the experiments progressed and trees increased in size, ACP outbreaks occurred regardless of the psyllid management program. Little HLB developed under any ACP management program during the first year, but thereafter HLB increased and large percentages of the trees in each experiment became LAS-infected in less than two to three years. The combined results of the experiments indicated that up to eight monthly pesticide treatments per year applied on a calendar schedule were ineffective for preventing young citrus from becoming diseased. Of important significance is that the orchard within which the two experiments were conducted was subjected to a minimal psyllid management program and contained many older trees known to be infected by the HLB pathogen, a challenging situation for getting young trees into production without contracting the disease. Thus, the ACP management programs we evaluated might have been more effective if ACP in the surrounding areas had been more aggressively controlled and diseased trees in the surrounding areas removed to reduce inoculum loads. Also, the programs might have been more effective for slowing the spread of HLB if our research plots had been larger. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic traits in Poncirus trifoliata (Rutaceae) are known to confer resistance to colonization by the Asian citrus psyllid, but field surveys indicated these traits were not expressed in any of 24 simple hybrids between P. trifoliata and sweet orange. No resistance to colonization by the psyllid was observed in 14 other types of P. trifoliata hybrids. Three citrumelo hybrids appeared to be resistant in 1 survey, but in another survey, none of 6 citrumelos exhibited resistance. Interestingly, colonization was somewhat reduced on a hybrid with P. trifoliata in the pedigree of both parents, suggesting the possibility that traits suppressing oviposition may be recovered through similar crosses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citrus huanglongbing (HLB) is a destructive disease with no known cure. To identify sources of HLB resistance in the subfamily Aurantioideae to which citrus belongs, we conducted a six-year field trial under natural disease challenge conditions in an HLB endemic region. The study included 65 Citrus accessions and 33 accessions belonging to 20 other closely related genera. For each accession, eight seedling trees were evaluated. Based on quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis of the pathogen titers and disease symptoms, eight disease-response categories were identified. We report two immune, six resistant, and 14 tolerant accessions. Resistance and tolerance observed in different accessions may be attributed to a multitude of factors, including psyllid colonization ability, absence of pathogen multiplication, transient replication of the bacterium. lack of pathogen establishment in the plant, delayed infection, or recovery from infection. Most citrus cultivars were considered susceptible: 15 citrons, lemons, and limes retained leaves in spite of the disease status. Resistance and high levels of field tolerance were observed in many noncitrus genera. Disease resistance/tolerance was observed in Australian citrus relative genera Eremocitrus and Microcitrus, which are sexually compatible with citms and may be useful in future breeding trials to impart HLB resistance to cultivated citrus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]