Causative agent of huanglongbing (citrus greening disease)

Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus str. psy62. Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus causes Huanglongbing (also called citrus greening disease) in citrus in Asia. This organism causes a lethal infection to the tree and is transmitted from tree to tree by the sap-sucking Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri. Once infected the citrus tree turns yellow (huanglongbing means yellow dragon disease) and the fruit remains green. The genome of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus str. psy62 will provide information on the virulence factors involved in infection and transmission of this important plant pathogen.