citrus greening

noun

variants or citrus greening disease
: a destructive disease of citrus plants that is caused by a bacterium (genus Liberibacter) transmitted by plant lice (Diaphorina citri of Asia and Trioza erytreae of Africa) and is characterized especially by small, often misshapen fruits which typically retain some green coloring even when ripe and by yellow mottling of the leaves with progressive yellowing of the entire plant see asian citrus psyllid

Examples of citrus greening in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The citrus-industry proposal includes $125 million for new tree plantings, an amount that Albritton isn’t sure is enough for an industry facing its lowest seasonal production in a century because of deadly citrus greening disease, damaging hurricanes and encroaching development. Jim Turner, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2025 Population growth, hurricanes and a vicious citrus greening disease have left the Florida orange industry reeling. Mike Schneider, Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2025 Besides growers, there are juice processors, grove caretakers, fertilizer sellers, packing houses, nurseries and candy manufacturers, all hoping for a fix for citrus greening disease. Mike Schneider, Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2025 Orange production in the United States has declined in recent years due to the spread of citrus greening disease, a bacterial infection that cuts off key nutrients to orange trees, which first hit Florida in 2005. Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 26 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for citrus greening

Word History

First Known Use

1971, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of citrus greening was in 1971

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Cite this Entry

“Citrus greening.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/citrus%20greening. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

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