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UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center

UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center

Plant Pathology

Plant pathology researchers study a wide array of citrus diseases and look at it from different viewpoints such as an applied science (grove management) to the molecular level. Diseases, especially huanglongbing (HLB; citrus greening) and citrus canker, have profoundly changed the way we grow citrus in Florida and have been economically devastating to our industry.  Other diseases present a serious threat to the Florida citrus industry and management strategies are different for various diseases whether it be fungal, bacterial or viral, therefore, proper identification is the first step in management. 

There are many resources to aid in the identification and management of diseases such as the UF/IFAS Plant Diagnostic Center, EDIS, and the Florida Citrus Production Guide. If you suspect you have an exotic disease, report it to the local Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service's CHRP office for further diagnostic testing. Do not move infected plant material, fruit, or insects out of your area.


 Portrait of Dr. Megan Dewdney
Dr. Megan Dewdney
Associate Professor, Extension Specialist
863-956-8651
mmdewdney@ufl.edu
Area of focus: foliar fungal,
Huanglongbing, phytophthora, and canker


 Portrait of Dr. Choaa El-Mohtar
Dr. Choaa El-Mohtar
Research Assistant Scientist
863-956-8720
mohtarc@ufl.edu
Area of focus: Citrus tristeza virus and its
overexpression and RNA interference
vectors, identifying therapeutics to
mitigate Huanglongbing.


 Portrait of Dr. Nabil Killiny
Dr. Nabil Killiny
Associate Professor
863.956.8833
nabilkilliny@ufl.edu
Area of focus: pathogen-vector
interfaces


 Portrait of Dr. Amit Levy
Dr. Amit Levy
Assistant Professor
863.956.8704
amitlevy@ufl.edu
Area of focus: viral diseases, pathogen-host
interactions, and Huanglongbing