First report of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri in Mali
In 2004, citrus canker symptoms were reported on limes, sweet oranges, tangerines and sour oranges from different orchards around Bamako and in the Koulikoro Province of Mali. Bacterial strains collected from citrus in the epidemic area were isolated on semi selective medium. As a result, 21 Xanthomonas-like strains were tested (PCR, AFLP, pathogenicity tests) and identified as Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri (EPPO A1 List). This is the first report of X. axonopodis pv. citri in Mali and the first confirmed record for West Africa. A survey was conducted in 2006 in 9 orchards and revealed disease incidences of 50, 25, 24, and 15% for lime (C. aurantifolia), tangor (Citrus x nobilis), sour orange (C. aurantium) and sweet orange (C. sinensis), respectively. It is reported that since this survey, citrus canker has spread to new citrus orchards and that this is probably due to movements of infected citrus material from small nurseries. It is stressed that the spread of citrus canker should be closely monitored in Mali and neighbouring countries, and that strict surveillance of citrus nurseries should be performed in West Africa.
The situation of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri in Mali can be described as follows: Present, first reported in 2006 in several orchards.
Sources
Traoré YN, Gui Thi Ngoc L, Vernière C, Pruvost O (2008) First report of Xanthomonas citri pv. citri causing citrus canker in Mali. Plant Disease 92(6), p 977.