The local authorities declared a state of phytosanitary emergency because of the detection of Huanglongbing, a disease that attacks citrus plantations.
Thursday, February 20, 2020
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) reported that the disease specifically attacks lemons, oranges, tangerines, grapefruits and limes, in addition to the ornamental plant Murraya paniculata, commonly known as myrtle or jasmine.
February 19th, 2020. This pest is native to East Asia; as is the insect vector, Diaphorina citri kuw. HLB has no cure and symptoms are reflected in the diseased plant 6-12 months after infection; it will die within a range of 2-6 years, depending on age and nutritional status.
Damage it causes:
- Plant death
- Decrease in the sugar level (important parameter for the industry)
- Increased acidity level
- Decrease in the percentage of juice
- Decrease in size, alteration of color and shape of the fruit
- It affects all varieties, regardless of the rootstock into which it was grafted
- Alters the shape and organoleptic characteristics of the fruit
It should be noted that the disease only affects plantations, it does not put human or animal health at risk. Besides, fruits do not represent risk of contagion, the only ways of transmission are by the vector, through grafting of infected buds and/or transport of sick plants.
Salvadoran authorities have determined that the disease attacking citrus plantations, called Huanglongbing, could be present in crops in Santa Ana, Ahuachapán, La Libertad and La Paz.
After the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) declared a state of phytosanitary emergency on February 19, it was reported that the disease specifically attacks lemons, oranges, tangerines, grapefruits and limes, in addition to the ornamental plant Murraya paniculata, commonly known as myrtle or jasmine.
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