Evaluation of the presence of HLB in Rutaceae from conserved areas of Misiones province (Argentina).

GOCHEZ A.; ARANDA P.; VELOZO L.; CHELOTTI L.; BUEMO C.; TALAVERA STEFANI, L.; RODRIGUEZ M.; AGOSTINI JP.; ALAYON LUACES; GAIAD E.; MIRETTI M.; ARGÜELLES, C.

Miami

Conferencia; 5th International Research Conference on Huanglongbing; 2017

Abstract: The disease Huang-long-bing (HLB) is currently the most serious treat for Argentina?s Citrus industry. Due to the inability to grow any of the causal bacterium, Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), africanus (CLaf), and americanus (CLam), early diagnosis of affected tissues by molecular methods as conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or quantitative real time PCR (qPCR) it is necessary. Because HLB is incipient in Argentina eradication of infected plants is recommended. The aim of this study was localize native and feral Rutaceae in conserved areas of Misiones province, characterize suspicious symptoms associated with HLB, and also identify the presence of vector (Diaphorina citri Kuwayama) and its parasitoids. After two samplings performed during August/October of 2016, were we spanned more than 20 conserved areas in Northern and Central part of Misiones, we found neither HLB positive plants nor presence of adults or immature psyllids stages into the parks. All HLB positive plants identified were in nearly backyards and citrus commercial plots, which indicates a strictly anthropogenic influence for HLB spreading in that area. Conserved areas of Misiones appear a complicated place for HLB settling because extremely low population level of vector. From several species of Citrus identified, the most abundant were Rangpur lime (C. limonia Osbeck) and Criolla tangerine (C. reticulata Blanco), which are naturally spread and profusely found in all visited parks. Several other native Rutacea which cohabit with feral Citrus were identified: Helietta apiculata Benth, Fagara rhoifolium Lam., Balfourodendron riedelianum (Engl.) Engl., Esembeckia grandiflora Mart. Samples tested from native Rutaceae were also negative for CLas/CLam. All feral Citrus located in conserved areas of Misiones represent a remarkable source of germplasm for future breeding programs.