Testing for Citrus Greening with AmplifyRP™

Agdia’s AmplifyRP test for Citrus Greening (Huanglongbing or HLB) can be used to detect a causal pathogen of this disease, Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, in all citrus crops.

Whether testing symptomatic trees or surveying a nursery, we recommend the following guidelines for sample collection to ensure you receive the most reliable results:

  • Collect 4 to 10 mature leaves with petioles attached, per tree. Contact us for large survey suggestions.

  • Avoid collecting samples during times of new growth flushes

  • Send leaves/petioles showing symptoms. If no symptoms are evident, collect hardened leaves from newer branches

Want to send budwood, psyllids, or DNA for testing? Please contact Debi Groth-Helms (dgroth@agdia.com) for more information.

To assure that your samples arrive to us in the best possible condition, please follow these instructions when shipping your samples.

  • Place the samples in a re-sealable plastic bag. Do not place wet or dry paper towel in the plastic bag with the sample. If the sample is damp, blot dry before placing into plastic bag. If you are collecting multiple samples, mark each bag with an identifying name or number that corresponds with the identification you provided on the completed sample submission form. We will use that same identifier when we prepare your test report.
  • Collect samples as close as possible to the time you will be sending them. If it is not possible to collect samples the day of shipping, make sure that samples are kept free of moisture and stored in the refrigerator prior to shipping. Do not freeze samples or allow them to get wet. Pack the bagged samples in a cardboard box. Do not ship with ice or ice packs, samples could be crushed during shipment.

If shipping from Alaska, Hawaii, or a US territory, click here.

If shipping from another country, click here.

  • For samples being shipped from inside the contiguous United States, please use an overnight courier; such as Fedex or UPS. Keep a copy of your tracking information, in the event that your package does not arrive on time.

Testing Services also offers a number of additional tests for citrus crops. For more information, check out our Citrus Screen.

 

Key Warning Symptoms

Tree: thin canopy, twig die-back, stunting
Leaves: asymmetric chlorosis (“blotchy mottle”), yellow veins
Fruit: small, unusual shape, abnormal color/greening, premature fruit drop
 

Interested in testing for L. africanus or L. americanus? Contact Debi-Groth-Helms (dgroth@agdia.com).

 

 

**PLEASE NOTE: Confidentiality in reporting is very important to us. In all cases, results of HLB testing will be reported directly to the submitter. In addition, if a positive result is found from a US submission outside of the current quarantine counties and/or states, Agdia is required to report the result and send the suspect sample to USDA-APHIS for confirmation. For the most up-to-date map of quarantine locations, click here.