Drones are used by the Secretariat to monitor citrus pests in RS

Employees from the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development (Seapdr) used drones for the first time in field work, during the inspection of citrus orchards in the municipalities of Constantina, Liberato Salzano and Iraí, in the region of Palmeira das Missões. The inspection took place between March 14th and 18th, 2022.

Using the tool made it possible to identify areas where the orchards had different colors, indicating chlorosis caused by some disease or environmental cause, such as drought. After taking aerial images, suspicious plants were inspected randomly in all orchard plots. Thirty commercial orchards were inspected to check for the presence of pests such as Citrus Canker (Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri), Diaphorina citri, the vector insect for Greening disease and the Citrus Black Fly (Aleurocanthus woglumi).

The establishment and maintenance of the phytosanitary status relating to pests that attack citrus fruit species, especially the Citrus Canker Risk Mitigation System (Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri), are subject to phytosanitary surveys carried out by the Secretariat in Rio Grande do Sul.

“Carrying out official phytosanitary surveys is essential for maintaining the phytosanitary certification system of origin of citrus fruits from these producers of lemons, sour limes, oranges and bergamots in Rio Grande do Sul”, highlights agricultural engineer Rita Antochevis, head of the Health Defense Division Vegetal (DDSV) from Seapdr.

This allows certified production units to reach consumer markets in other states and countries, through the Plant Transit Permit (PTV), guaranteeing the quality and health of the fruits sold.