Surveys on ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ in India
From 2007 to 2012, surveys have been conducted in 16 states in India to confirm the distribution of huanglongbing (associated with ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ – EPPO A1 List) with molecular methods (real-time PCR). All commercially important citrus species (Citrus aurantifolia, C. grandis, C. jambhiri, C. limon, C. limonia, C. macroptera, C. nobilis x C. deliciosa, C. reticulata, C. sinensis) were found to be infected by ‘Ca. L. asiaticus’. Results also showed that huanglongbing is widespread in India. The presence of ‘Ca. L. asiaticus’ was confirmed by real-time PCR in all studied states (except Arunachal Pradesh): Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram*, Nagaland*, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura*, West Bengal.
The situation of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ in India can be described as follows: Present, widespread.
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* The EPPO Secretariat had previously no data about the occurrence of ‘Ca. L. asiaticus’ in these marked Indian states.
Sources
Das AK, Nerkar S, Bawage S, Kumar A (2014) Current distribution of huanglongbing (citrus greening disease) in India as diagnosed by real-time PCR. Journal of Phytopathology 162(6), 402-406.