Managing biosecurity risks to Australian citrus

Nerida Donovan,Sylvia M Jelinek,Tim Herrmann

doi:10.5070/c421050270

Abstract

Author(s): Donovan, Nerida; Herrmann, Tim; Jelinek, Sylvia M | Abstract: The high health status of Australian citrus germplasm has been maintained largely due to a successful quarantine system and propagation scheme. Most endemic graft transmissible diseases are rarely observed in Australian orchards due to the use of high health status propagation material supplied by Auscitrus. Citrus tristeza virus is present throughout the citrus growing areas although mild strain cross protection has been effectively managing grapefruit stem pitting in white grapefruit varieties for over 40 years. However, diseases like huanglongbing and canker are ever present threats to the biosecurity of the Australian citrus industry. The introduction of mandatory nursery registration and compulsory use of pathogen tested propagation material would provide greater security to the industry in the face of increasing biosecurity threats.

Highlights

Citrus is one of the largest and most important horticultural export commodities in Australia, producing around 600 thousand tons annually (Citrus Australia Limited pers. comm.), on the world scale this represents less than 1% of production
Most endemic graft transmissible diseases are rarely observed in Australian orchards due to the use of high health status propagation material supplied by Auscitrus
Grafttransmissible pathogens like citrus psorosis virus (CPsV), citrus tatter leaf virus (CTLV), and citrus exocortis viroid (CEVd) are rarely seen in Australian orchards due to the success of the Auscitrus budwood scheme

Summary

Introduction

Citrus is one of the largest and most important horticultural export commodities in Australia, producing around 600 thousand tons annually (Citrus Australia Limited pers. comm.), on the world scale this represents less than 1% of production. The high health status of Australian citrus germplasm has been maintained largely due to a successful quarantine system and propagation scheme. Most endemic graft transmissible diseases are rarely observed in Australian orchards due to the use of high health status propagation material supplied by Auscitrus.

Results

Conclusion