The primary purpose of this agreement is to develop new tools to protect citrus production from the insect-vectored citrus greening pathogen, candidatus liberibacter asiaticus

The Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service awarded a $118,321 Cooperative Agreement to the University of Florida Division of Sponsored Research on September 1, 2026, to develop new tools protecting citrus production from citrus greening disease, an insect-vectored pathogen caused by Candidatus liberibacter asiaticus that has devastated Florida citrus and threatens production in Texas and California.

Work is performed in Gainesville, Florida, with a period of performance through August 31, 2027. The cooperative agreement funds research and development activities aimed at mitigating the continued impacts of citrus greening disease through detection, management, or resistance strategies applicable across affected growing regions.

Citrus greening disease has devastated citrus production in florida and now threatens other citrus growing regions including texas and california. Federal investment in this research will pave the way for mitigation of the continued impacts of this devastating disease.