Matão region (SP) has a reduction in greening for the third consecutive year

The region of Matão (SP), one of the most important orange producers in the state and which encompasses cities such as Matão, Araraquara and Boa Esperança do Sul, has achieved good results in controlling greening, considered the worst disease in citrus farming today: According to the annual survey carried out by Fundecitrus, the region had a reduction in the incidence of the disease for the third consecutive year. In it, greening is present in 14,47% of orange trees, a decrease of 16,3% compared to 2019. The incidence is also lower than the average of 20,87% observed throughout the citrus belt of São Paulo and Triângulo/Southwest Mineiro.

In the center of the citrus park, Matão was already considered a critical region: in addition to being the place where the first outbreak of the disease was identified in Brazil, in 2004, it presents very favorable climatic conditions for the spread of the disease practically throughout the year.

This progressive decrease in greening is due to rigorous internal management, carried out within the farms, which includes monitoring the transmitting insect (psyllid) and also the elimination of diseased plants, associated with the adoption of external management, carried out by citrus growers in the surroundings of the properties. . The region had the highest participation rate in external management actions carried out in partnership with Fundecitrus, 77,4% of the citrus commercial area.

According to Fundecitrus agronomist Marcelo Scapin, in Matão one of the first groups of citrus growers was formed for the regional management of greening, in which all measures to control the disease were disseminated and put into practice, including the need for action on the side of outside the gates.

“Without a doubt, this pioneering spirit in the formation of groups combined with rigorous control inside and outside the properties contributes greatly to the fact that the disease continues to decline every year in the Matão region”, points out Scapin.

External management is characterized by the replacement of uncontrolled citrus and myrtle plants located near commercial orchards with other fruit and ornamental species, which are not attractive to the psyllid – the insect uses attractive plants in backyards and sidewalks to feed and reproduce. and then migrates to the orchards, making control difficult.

Groups for external management

Since 2018, Fundecitrus has invested in supporting citrus growers to carry out external management and enabled the creation of joint working groups - today there are 31 groups operating in the citrus belt, eight of which are in the Matão region, where practically all the farms that carry out external control are part of groups. The groups allow for cost sharing, greater availability of professionals and the possibility of expanding the area of ​​activity.

According to Fundecitrus agronomist Ivaldo Sala, coordinator of the institution's external management actions, the union of citrus growers is decisive in the fight against the disease. “It’s about joining forces. Without regional mobilization for joint control, it is very difficult to reduce or stabilize the incidence of the disease, but the Matão region has managed to do so and is a success story thanks to the support of citrus growers,” he states.