"For the incidence to be zero, the control needs to be 10." This is the guiding principle of Fundecitrus's initiative aimed at reducing citrus greening in Brazil.
The campaign emphasizes controlling the psyllid vector, particularly in emergent citrus regions like Mato Grosso do Sul, Goiás, and parts of Minas Gerais. These areas are witnessing orchard expansion due to high greening levels in some parts of Brazil's Citrus Belt. However, reinforcing control measures for greening and other diseases remains essential.
Juliano Ayres, Executive Director of Fundecitrus, notes the role of commercial orchard growth in the natural spread of the psyllid, exacerbating greening. "For this reason, putting known management into practice is a constant task for new areas," Ayres stated. "Rotation of insecticide modes of action, adequate spraying frequency, quality of application, choice of effective products and elimination of diseased plants are the main management guidelines that should not be missed."
Such measures are integral to management, given the disease emergence inherent in citrus farming expansion. Continuous surveillance is crucial to prevent repeating past mistakes that led to greening's rise in São Paulo.
Surveys in citrus properties have identified greening bacteria in over 30 municipalities in Mato Grosso do Sul, as well as in Campo Limpo de Goiás and Quirinópolis in Goiás. "These occurrences of greening reinforce the need for attention and extra care on the part of the citrus grower," Ayres commented.
Source: Citrus Industry