Presence of ‘Candidatus Liberobacter asiaticus’ confirmed in Brazil
In Brazil, the presence of citrus greening disease (EPPO A1 list) was reported for the first time in 2004 in a major citrus-growing area (Araraquara county) in São Paulo state (see EPPO RS 2004/103), but it was not known which species (‘Candidatus Liberobacter asiaticus’ or ‘Ca. L. africanus’) was present. Molecular studies (PCR, cloning and sequencing of the amplified fragments) confirmed the presence of ‘Candidatus Liberobacter asiaticus’ in two affected trees (Citrus sinensis cv. Hamlin and Valencia). It still remains unclear how and when the pathogen entered Brazil.
Sources
Coletta-Filho, H.D.; Targon, M.L.P.N.; Takita, M.A.; De Negri, J.D.; Pompeu Jr., J.; Machado, M.A.; do Amaral, A.M.; Muller, G.W. (2004) First report of the causal agent of Huanglongbing (‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’) in Brazil.
Plant Disease, 88(12), p 1382.