Greening affects almost half of the orange trees in the citrus belt

Greening, also known as HLB (Huanglongbing), is today the most serious threat to Brazilian citrus farming. According to a survey by Fundecitrus, the disease has already reached 47.6% of the orange trees in the citrus belt that covers São Paulo and Minas Gerais — equivalent to almost 100 million contaminated trees. The bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter spp. is transmitted by the Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri) and causes serious damage to production. “Greening is devastating. It affects oranges, tangerines, lemons, and even ornamental plants like myrtle,” said agricultural engineer João Quirino, technical coordinator of Hidroplan, during the Planeta Campo program. According to him, current climatic conditions and the presence of infected plants have favored the multiplication of the disease. Once installed, the disease has no cure. Therefore, preventive measures are fundamental to contain its advance. “Everything starts with the use of healthy and certified seedlings, ...