• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.417-427
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• 2015

Purpose: This study investigated different band selection methods to classify spectrally similar data - obtained from aerial images of healthy citrus canopies and citrus greening disease (Huanglongbing or HLB) infected canopies - using small differences without unmixing endmember components and therefore without the need for an endmember library. However, large number of hyperspectral bands has high redundancy which had to be reduced through band selection. The objective, therefore, was to first select the best set of bands and then detect citrus Huanglongbing infected canopies using these bands in aerial hyperspectral images. Methods: The forward feature selection algorithm (FFSA) was chosen for band selection. The selected bands were used for identifying HLB infected pixels using various classifiers such as K nearest neighbor (KNN), support vector machine (SVM), naïve Bayesian classifier (NBC), and generalized local discriminant bases (LDB). All bands were also utilized to compare results. Results: It was determined that a few well-chosen bands yielded much better results than when all bands were chosen, and brought the classification results on par with standard hyperspectral classification techniques such as spectral angle mapper (SAM) and mixture tuned matched filtering (MTMF). Median detection accuracies ranged from 66-80%, which showed great potential toward rapid detection of the disease. Conclusions: Among the methods investigated, a support vector machine classifier combined with the forward feature selection algorithm yielded the best results.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.499-505
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• 2018

Huanglongbing (HLB, Citrus greening disease) is one of the most devastating diseases that threaten citrus production worldwide. Although HLB presents systemically, low titer and uneven distribution of these bacteria within infected plants can make reliable detection difficult. It was known loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method has the advantages of being highly specific, rapid, efficient, and laborsaving for detection of plant pathogens. We developed a new LAMP method targeting gene contained tandem repeat for more rapid and sensitive detection of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), putative causal agent of the citrus huanglongbing. This new LAMP method was 10 folds more sensitive than conventional PCR in detecting the HLB pathogen and similar to that of real-time PCR in visual detection assay by adding SYBR Green I to mixture and 1% agarose gel electrophoresis. Positive reactions were achieved in reaction temperature 57, 60 and $62^{\circ}C$ but not $65^{\circ}C$. Although this LAMP method was not more sensitive than real-time PCR, it does not require a thermocycler for amplification or agarose gel electrophoresis for resolution. Thus, we expect that this LAMP method shows strong promise as a reliable, rapid, and cost-effective method of detecting the CLas in citrus and can be applied for rapid diagnosis is needed.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.139-150
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• 2024

Huanglongbing (HLB) is a disease caused by the phloem-limited Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) that affects the citrus industry worldwide. To date, only indirect strategies have been implemented to eradicate HLB. Included among these is the population control of the psyllid vector (Diaphorina citri), which usually provides inconsistent results. Even though strategies for direct CLas suppression seem a priori more promising, only a handful of reports have been focused on a confrontation of the pathogen. Recent developments in polymer chemistry have allowed the design of polycationic self-assembled block copolymers with outstanding antibacterial capabilities. Here, we report the use of polymeric nano-sized bactericide particles (PNB) to control CLas directly in the phloem vasculature. The field experiments were performed in Rioverde, San Luis Potosí, and is one of the most important citrusproducing regions in Mexico. An average 52% reduction in the bacterial population was produced when PNB was injected directly into the trunk of 20 infected trees, although, in some cases, reduction levels reached 97%. These results position PNB as a novel and promising nanotechnological tool for citrus crop protection against CLas and other related pathogens.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.55-59
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• 2013

This study was evaluated that seasonal change of the hesperidin content was in relation to the skin color and weight of fruit in outer or inner side of the canopy, for determine the optimum time and the index of most abundant hesperidin content in lemon fruits juice. The hesperidin content was different with fruit growth and on fruit bearing site of the tree. The fruits of the either side contained the highest hesperidin value at 162 and 176 days after anthesis just after de-greening and the value was highest in the fruits of outer side of the canopy. This time also corresponded to the time just before the cessation of fruit growth. These results suggested that the optimum harvesting period for more hesperidin content was the stage just after de-greening and just before fruit growth cessation.