Tunisia: citrus black spot threatens production

From June to September 2019, phytopathologists from the University of Sousse, Tunisia conducted an intensive survey in 339 orchards located in this region. As a result of their research, they observed symptoms of citrus black spot in 69 lemon and orange orchards. The latter are located in the areas of Bou Argoub, Beni Khalled, Menzel Bouzelfa, Soliman, Grombalia, Takelsa, Korba, Nabeul and Hammem Ghezaz. Indeed, the diseased fruits showed freckles or hard spots bearing pycnidia, while the leaves had no symptoms, reports Freshplaza. Subsequently, morphological and DNA analysis followed by pathogenicity test confirmed that the causative agent of these spots on these agricultural products was Phyllosticta citricarpa. “To our knowledge, this is the first report of Phyllosticta citricarpa causing a citrus black spot on citrus in Tunisia,” the scientists said. According to them, "The disease could have a serious impact on production in Tunisia by reducing the yield and ...