New growth increases the risk of citrus greening in the second half of the year

With the start of the second half of the year, citrus farming enters one of the most critical periods for managing citrus greening. Between July and October, the main sprouting of orchards occurs, which can represent 50% to 80% of the annual total, depending on the region. With the arrival of the rains, this process intensifies, creating favorable conditions for the multiplication of the psyllid, the insect that transmits the disease.

Data from the Psyllid Alert platform, developed by Fundecitrus, reflects this scenario. In the first half of July, the number of new shoots increased by 50% compared to the previous fortnight throughout the citrus belt.

The incidence of psyllid also increases significantly during this time and can be almost three times higher than the annual average. In the first half of July, the Psyllid Alert traps recorded an 86% increase in insect captures compared to the previous fortnight.

“Newly formed shoots are the main target of the psyllid, making this period crucial for preventing new infections. Therefore, it is essential to intensify control measures, especially spraying, until the leaves reach a stage of development where they become less attractive to the insect,” explains Fundecitrus agronomist Arthur Tomaseto.