Chiranjivi Regmi and Bishwanath Pd. Yadav¹

Abstract

Huanglongbing (Citrus greening disease), the most destructive disease of citrus, is spreading in different citrus growing areas of Nepal. The research was carried out in December 2006 in three locations of the country namely Bimalnagar of Tanahun, Udipur of Lamjung and Syadul of Dhading districts. Field survey and sample collection was carried out by a team or experts including Prof. J.M.Bove and Dr. Nuria. Samples were analyzed by PCR technique in the laboratory of NAST. Results show that HLB is present in all the location under study. It has totally destroyed citrus orchard of two hectare Within 10 years of time. It is spreading very fast in new areas of Udipur causing severe damage to citrus cultivation. Vector Diaphorina citri is contributing to its spread in Bimalnagar and Udipur. Introduction of planting material from low-land is the main source of infection in Syadul, where only few newly planted plants were confirmed HLB positive. Syadul is very potential pocket area of citrus, where more than 100,000 citrus trees are being grown in a cluster. There is an urgent need to rescue citrus from HLB in Syadul.

Keywords: Huanglongbing, Vector, Survey, Diagnosis, PCR-test, Rescue