Weevil |

The biggest threat citrus. the 'huanglongbing' or 'greening'

November 8, 2009 |

', UNA ENFERMEDAD QUE ELIMINA SIN REMEDIO la capacidad productiva de los naranjos y cuya llegada también se teme en España. SHIELD TO DEFEND THE 'greening' O 'huanglongbing (HLB)', A DISEASE THAT KILLS NO REMEDY productive capacity of the orange and whose arrival was also feared in Spain.

Laugh of Sorrow, which ruined the citrus Valencia years ago and forced to replace it with new orange trees 'feet' tolerant and is still wreaking havoc, forget about Fitóftora fungus, which causes trees to decline to kill you sometimes, and put aside any other pest or disease you are worried, because, somehow, all that we suffered have a remedy. Fear which is yet to come, the 'greening' or 'huanglongbing' and pray that no one in Spain, because this bad it really is serious: the trees decay to be unproductive, without possible solutions, no choice but to uproot and burn, and yet there is no way to stop the advance.

The Valencian Farmers' Association (AVA-Asaja) has sounded a warning. California have jumped in alarm on 'greening', because they have detected the presence of insects (psyllid) that spread the bacteria that cause terrible disease. That is, eni in the U.S. can prevent the disease from passing from the East Coast (Florida) to the west. California has taken serious measures, armored prevent the problem spreading.

Devastated large areas

And what is more significant: the 'greening' or 'huanglongbing' (also known by the acronym HLB), which so far affected mainly focused on citrus for juice production industry (Brazil, Florida, parts of Argentina or Mexico ... ) is coming to a citrus fruit which, like California, is aimed at producing oranges and tangerines to be consumed fresh. As in Spain. So to worry.

The disease currently represents the worst of what can affect citrus. Originally from China, has spread over almost the entire world, destroying hundreds of thousands of acres with no possibility of an alternative. The farmers concerned know that they can no longer grow more citrus for now, while failure to reach a solution that seems remote Phytopathological.

Inevitably decay

In Brazil, where citrus fruit is first country in the world, culture is being seriously depleted. They know the 'grening' and 'amarelhamento'. two names that make clear reference to the most visible symptoms. The affected trees take on a lighter shade of green and yellow in a continuous process of decay. The fruits are beginning to be defective (deformed), then fades and farm production are no longer profitable.

No solution is possible once the disease has been declared. Preventive strategies can only raise, but their effectiveness is very limited, not to stop the progress achieved. To date, the only mechanism known prevention is the aplicción of systemic insecticides to curb the emergence of the Asian psyllid (Diaphorina citri). If you do not fight with preventviso treatments, once present in an area there is no means able to remove all copies. In Florida have spent huge amounts of money grubbing parafinanciar the affected, burning trees, but is incessant declaration of new cases.

Now they have detected the presence of the dreaded 'psyllid' in California, as in Arizona and Texas, and has spread the fear of disease. As in the Valencian citrus producers tremble without undies are presented with the problem. There would be nothing to do.

Negative examples

AVA recalls recent cases of serious pest problems to show that it is not exaggerated or unfounded fears. There is an evident lack of control in the import of all kinds of fruits, plants, buds, seeds and other plant material, which may be contaminated.

Here we have the case of red palm weevil, which is killing the palm trees. He entered with trees imported from North Africa without going through official surveys required. As the disaster of persimmons because of a fungus that was totally unknown here until last year. Or the 'Tuta absoluta', a moth that is ruining much of the production of tomatoes.

These are clear negative examples of what is happening, as the last mites, flies, leafminers and fungus penetrated in recent years in the Valencia area without anyone fail to see how it was possible. The 'Alternaria' has eliminated almost entirely the production of late Fortune mandarins of the most appreciated, and now begins to damage the Clemenvilla. Why do not fear that one day he will also present the HLB, if there is careful control of entry? It would be the last straw for the Valencian citrus.

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