Plant Diagnostic Facilities for Georgia Citrus Growers

The University of Georgia (UGA) has disease labs and clinics to help citrus producers determine what diseases are impacting their trees. Jonathan Oliver, UGA assistant professor and small fruits pathologist, highlights the diagnostic facilities that growers can take advantage of.

“We have a lab in Tifton, the Plant Disease Clinic, that can accept samples from commercial citrus,” Oliver said. “We also have a nematode lab in Athens that can test for nematodes in the soil from citrus sites, as well as a plant diagnostic lab in Tifton. That lab specializes in more of the advanced type of testing that’s needed to test for viruses and bacterial diseases like citrus greening and citrus canker. That’s the place to go for that.”

While citrus is still a relatively young crop in Georgia, it is susceptible to the same diseases that Florida growers must contend with. Citrus canker and huanglongbing (HLB) were found for the first time in Georgia in 2023. It is important that citrus producers utilize these tools and avoid misdiagnosing a potential problem.

“We absolutely want accurate diagnoses. Sometimes people can think they have something, and they take an action that is not the correct action because they thought they had something different than they had,” said. “That can cause problems for sure.

“In Georgia we have multiple options for growers who have potential disease problems on their citrus. The primary contact for growers should be their local county Extension agent, and the Extension agent will direct their sample appropriately.”

Click here to learn more about what plant disease facilities are available to Georgia citrus growers.