First report of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ in Cuba
Symptoms resembling those of huanglongbing (greening, mottling and chlorosis) have been observed in citrus-growing areas throughout Cuba. Ten leaf samples were collected from 5 symptomatic and 5 asymptomatic citrus trees and tested for the presence of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter africanum’ and ‘Ca. L. asiaticus’ (both EPPO A1 List). Molecular tests (PCR, sequencing) revealed the presence of ‘Ca. L. asiaticus’. This is the first report of ‘Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus’ associated with huanglongbing in Cuba.
The situation of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ in Cuba can be described as follows: Present, first detected in 2008 in a small number of samples but symptoms of the disease are widely observed.
Sources
Martínez Y, Llauger R, Batista L, Luis M, Iglesia A, Collazo C, Peña I, Casín JC, Cueto J, Tablada LM (2008) First report of Candidatus ‘Liberibacter asiaticus’ associated with Huanglongbing in Cuba. New Disease Report, Volume 18 August 2008 – January 2009. http://www.bspp.org.uk/ndr/jan2009/2008-50.asp