First report of Xanthomonas citri pv. citri in Mayotte
Asiatic citrus canker, caused by Xanthomonas citri pv. citri (EPPO A1 List) has recently been detected in Mayotte. In May 2012, typical canker-like symptoms were observed on sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) groves on Mtsamboro islet and soon after on the main island of Mayotte, mainly on sweet oranges but also on Tahiti limes (C. latifolia) and mandarins (C. reticulata). 81 Xanthomonas-like strains were isolated on semi-selective medium (KC) from diseased samples collected from commercial groves and nurseries on various citrus species and from several locations across Mayotte. As a result, 16 isolates were tentatively identified (PCR) as X. citri pv. citri. Further analysis (sequence analysis) confirmed that 3 strains belonged to X. citri pv. citri pathotype A. In addition, Koch’s postulates could be verified. This is the first time that X. citri pv. citri is reported from Mayotte. It can be recalled that citrus canker occurs in other islands of the Indian Ocean (i.e. Comoros, Mauritius, Réunion, Rodrigues and Seychelles).
The situation of Xanthomonas citri pv. citri in Mayotte can be described as follows: Present, first found in 2012.
Sources
Hoarau J, Boyer C, Vital K, Chesneau T, Vernière C, Roux-Cuvelier M, Pruvost O, Moreau A, Hostachy B, Yahaya N, Abdoul-Karime AL (2013) First report of Xanthomonas citri pv. citri-A causing Asiatic citrus canker in Mayotte. Plant Disease 97(7), p 989.