University of Central Florida got a grant to develop a new method for protecting citrus groves across Florida from citrus greening.
HLB isn't harmful to humans or animals, but it can wipe out a whole section of citrus groves in a short period of time.
The $1.9 million grant from the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture was awarded to researcher Swadeshmukul Santra to develop a method for protecting against citrus greening.
Santra's new project targets both the bacteria and the insect that carries it to the trees. It's a natural solution that growers spray on their trees, creating a film that acts as a barrier.
"Once [citrus greening] gets in the tree, it will kill the tree in five years," said Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Florida. "And that is why you have seen this bacteria is in every grove in florida, it's in every grove in the United States and it's in every grove in Brazil. So if we're going to have citrus, we have got to find a cure."
Santra was awarded another grant by the agency last year for Santra's use of nanoparticles to guard against the disease.
University of Florida also got a USDA grant this week to use lasers to help stop citrus greening.