Quality citrus depends on effective phytosanitary protection in the field

The numbers are huge. Brazil produces around 20 million tons of oranges, lemons and tangerines every year. As a result, we are the largest producer of citrus fruits in the world, representing around 25% of the global total. "However, these crops develop at constant health risk, given the infestation of insects and mites, the incidence of fungi and also weeds. Some of these problems can cause up to 85% loss in orchards", informs president of the Union National Plant Defense Products Industry (Sindiveg), Julio Garcia.

"Six out of every ten glasses of orange juice consumed on the planet come from the Brazilian fruit. Our country is the largest global exporter of oranges", highlights Garcia, adding that Brazil is a powerhouse in the cultivation of other plants of the citrus genus, such as various types of lemon and tangerine – also known as tangerine and bergamot.

"The citrus cultivation area is also large. There are 592,8 thousand hectares of oranges, 56,7 thousand of lemons and 52,9 thousand of tangerines. In total, this is equivalent to 702 thousand Maracanãs spread across the Brazilian states. The production generates R$ 12,1 billion for farmers. But with the incidence of pests and diseases, such as black spot, there could be losses in excess of R$ 10 billion per year. The risk is constant and needs to be controlled", comments the president of Sindiveg, based on data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE).

An important phytosanitary problem is the psyllid (Diaphorina citri). “This insect is a vector of important bacteria from the Candidatus Liberibacter group, which cause greening, a disease with no cure and which can be 'transmitted' from one tree to another", explains Julio Garcia. "The false rust and leprosis mites also scare producers. of the country, with losses of 20% to 100% of plantations if there is no adequate treatment."

Also economically important in Australia and South Africa, black spot is caused by the fungus Phyllosticta citricarpa and can impact ripening and cause premature fruit fall. Another dangerous fungus is Colletotrichum acutatum, which causes floral rot. This disease produces lesions and keeps the flower calyxes retained on tree branches for up to 18 months. “It is estimated that six fruits are lost for every 100 cups retained”, reports the director.

The solution to these highly impactful threats to citrus fruit production and society itself is to protect orchards. "The industry, through science and technology, is committed to helping farmers overcome these challenges. We have modern resources to control pests, diseases and weeds, which spread easily due to the tropical climate and can quickly create resistance ", highlights the executive director of Sindiveg, Eliane Kay.

Eliane points out that pesticides, used correctly and safely, protect citrus without causing harm to the quality of crops and the safety of the fruits offered to the population. "Before being commercialized, the solutions are tested and subjected to a long and rigorous evaluation process, which takes an average of 5 years until release for use. This is the guarantee that these inputs are beneficial for farmers, traders and consumers" , ends.

Regional production

The State of São Paulo is the largest citrus producer in the country, with 78% of the orange harvest, 74% of lemon and 34% of tangerine. In second place comes Minas Gerais, with 6% of orange production, the same percentage for lemon and 21% for tangerine. Among the five largest Brazilian orange producers are Paraná (with 4,1% of the total), Bahia (3,5%) and Sergipe (2,1%), according to IBGE.

In lemon production, Pará surpasses Minas, with 7%. In the survey, Bahia appears with 5% and Rio de Janeiro with 1,4%. The territory of Rio de Janeiro also ranks fifth in bergamot production, with 4% of the total harvested in the country, behind Paraná (14,6%), Rio Grande do Sul (15,1%), Minas and São Paulo. All 27 units of the federation (26 states and the Federal District) produce oranges, 26 grow lemons and 22 have tangerines.

Quality information

Sindiveg has provided a free distance learning platform (with certificate) for those interested in learning more about the world of agricultural pesticides, which are so essential to ensuring food on the population's table and the success of the economy. The portal also has a course on the relationship between agriculture and beekeeping, an action of the Colmeia Viva program. Just sign up on the website www.sindiveg.org.br/cursos.