Huanglongbing as a Persistent Threat to Citriculture in Latin America

Citrus commercial species are the most important fruit crops in the world; however, their cultivation is seriously threatened by the fast dispersion of emerging diseases, including Huanglongbing (HLB) citrus greening. HLB disease is vectored by psyllid vectors and associated with phloem-limited α-proteobacteria belonging to the Candidatus Liberibacter genus. Climatic change and trade globalization have led to the rapid spread of HLB from its origin center in Southeast Asia, causing a great economic impact in the main production areas, including East Asia (China), the Mediterranean basin, North America (the United States), and Latin America (Brazil and Mexico). Despite important advances to understand the HLB epidemiology, Candidatus Liberibacter genetics, psyllid vector control, the molecular citrus-Candidatus Liberibacter interaction, and the development of integral disease management strategies, the study areas have been mostly restricted to high-tech-producing countries. Thus, in this review, we provide an overview of the epidemiology, distribution, genetic diversity, management aspects, and omics analysis of HLB in Latin America, where this information to date is limited.