Management of citrus huanglongbing in the State of São Paulo - Brazil

In São Paulo State (SPS), the occurrence of several citrus diseases and pests has largely increased the costs of fruit production. Huanglongbing (HLB), caused by two liberibacter species, is currently the most important citrus disease. First reported in Brazil in 2004, it is already present in 182 municipalities, affecting 18% of the more than 96 thousand citrus blocks. Control measures include elimination of symptomatic trees, insecticide application against the vector of the disease, Diaphorina citri, and planting healthy trees produced in screened nurseries. Tree elimination is mandatory but has not been adopted in all farms, where HLB incidence has increased considerably, affecting the effectiveness of disease control in their closer neighbors. Changes in the law and in the fiscalization process are needed. Important research questions to improve disease management also need answers, despite the wide perception that only the increase in citrus resistance to liberibacter or D. citri will bring a long-term solution for the HLB problem.