Rio Grande do Sul remains free of citrus greening, according to monitoring by Seapi.

The results of the Huanglongbing (HLB/greening) monitoring carried out by the Rio Grande do Sul Department of Agriculture (Seapi-RS) were presented this week during a meeting of the Citrus Sector Chamber. The survey for the 2025 cycle confirmed that the state continues to have no records of the bacteria that causes the disease, considered one of the most severe in world citrus farming.

Monitoring was carried out in orchards across 77 municipalities in Rio Grande do Sul, with the installation of 374 traps to identify the vector insect. diaphorina citriAlthough the presence of the psyllid was confirmed, no samples contaminated by the bacteria associated with citrus greening were detected.

According to the Department of Plant Protection (DDV/Seapi), 4.326 readings of the traps were carried out between November 2025 and March 2026. The head of the Plant Health Defense Division, Deise Feltes Riffel, highlighted that the replacement of the adhesive strips occurred every 15 days, accompanied by a detailed analysis of the collected insects.

"In the Vale do Caí region alone, we have concentrated about 70% of the suspected insects found in this cycle," he stated.

In total, 103 suspected insects were counted, of which 88 were confirmed as... diaphorina citriFor Deise, continuous monitoring is fundamental to preserving the phytosanitary status of Rio Grande do Sul.

"Rio Grande do Sul is one of the only states in the country without any record of the disease, but the presence of the vector insect increases the pressure on our orchards, especially in family farming regions," he emphasized.

Preventive measures keep Rio Grande do Sul free from citrus greening.

Among the preventive measures adopted in the State are the requirements stipulated in Ordinance No. 1.326 of the Ministry of Agriculture (Mapa), which mandates the production of seedlings in a protected environment and with certified plants. Specific rules are also maintained for the entry of seedlings and fruits from other states.

The representative from Seapi also reinforced the importance of producers' participation in phytosanitary surveillance. "The producer is a fundamental part of this process. Upon identifying any suspicious situation in the orchard, the guidance is to immediately contact the regional veterinary inspectorate," she emphasized.

During the Sectoral Chamber meeting, the prospects for the current citrus harvest were also discussed. The official opening of the harvest takes place this Friday (May 29th) in Montenegro (RS).