Matão region is an example of how it is possible to control greening

The Matão region was the only one in the citrus belt that showed a drop in the incidence of greening in 2021, according to an annual survey carried out by Fundecitrus, showing that it is possible to reverse the current growth situation of the disease.

In 2021, the disease decreased again in the region, going from 14,47%, in 2020, to 9,77% of diseased plants.

Even when new plantings are excluded and trees eradicated by greening in 2020 are included in the estimate, a continuous drop in the incidence of greening in the region was also observed, showing that it is possible to control it when all recommended measures are adopted by most of the citrus growers, says Fundecitrus researcher Renato Bassanezi.

“The high rigor in controlling the psyllid inside the orchards and the joint actions carried out by citrus growers outside the farms are essential and effective to combat the disease. Our studies indicate that the adoption of internal and external greening control has the potential to reduce the incidence in the region by two to three percentage points every year, which is extremely significant”, he adds.

Furthermore, in the recent past of higher risk for the disease in the region, the strategy of postponing planting and adopting a 'sanitary void' was adopted, that is, waiting for the elimination of contaminated orchards and, consequently, the reduction of sources of disease inoculum to replant. This measure showed good results and is a good strategy in critical circumstances, especially for regions with higher incidences of the disease.