Presence of the bacteria that causes Greening is confirmed in citrus seedlings seized in SP

In line with the efforts of the Government of the State of São Paulo to contain the spread of Greening - a disease that affects all citrus fruits and threatens citrus farming -, the Secretariat of Agriculture and Supply (SAA), through the Agricultural Defense Coordination (CDA ), intensified actions to combat the trade in irregular citrus seedlings. On November 8th and 9th, 9 irregular citrus seedlings that were stored in Herculândia, in the west of the state, were removed from circulation.

On that occasion, samples were collected for diagnosis from the seedlings and on December 14th, the CDA received confirmation of the presence of the bacteria Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, causing Greening, in samples of destroyed seedlings. The presence of Xanthomonas citri supbs. citrus, bacteria that causes Citrus Canker.

“Agricultural Defense actions are important to remove this type of material from circulation, but it is essential that the population understands that acquiring seedlings that were produced without phytosanitary monitoring puts the entire citrus industry in São Paulo at risk”, says Marlon Peres da Silva, agronomist and director of the Plant Health Defense Center (CDSV).

The legislation in force establishes plant health protection measures to curb the street trading of seedlings in São Paulo due to the serious economic damage to commercial crops and orchards that the practice causes.