First report of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ in the Dominican Republic
In August 2008, unusual symptoms (leaf mottle, yellowing, deformed fruits) were observed in Mexican lime trees (Citrus aurantifolia) in the municipality of Luperón, province of Puerto Plata on the north coast of the Dominican Republic. Symptoms were observed in an area of approximately 100 ha on both young and old C. aurantifolia trees which had been grown from seedlings. No commercial plantings of other citrus species were located in that area. As symptoms resembled those of huanglongbing (associated with ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ - EPPO A1 List), symptomatic leaves were collected and tested (real-time PCR, sequencing). Results confirmed the presence of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’. This is the first report of ‘Ca. L. asiaticus’ in the Dominican Republic.
The situation of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ in the Dominican Republic can be described as follows: Present, first found in 2008 on Citrus aurantifolia on the north coast (Province of Puerto Plata).
Sources
Matos L, Hilf ME, Camejo J (2009) First report of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ associated with citrus huanglongbing in the Dominican Republic. Plant Disease 93(6), p 668.