Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri found again in Australia
In Australia, citrus canker (Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri – EPPO A1 List) had previously been detected in the Northern Territory (Darwin in 1912, 1991 and 1993) and Queensland (Thursday Island in 1984 and Emerald in 2004) with successful eradication of each occurrence. In April 2018, citrus canker was found again in Australia, in the Northern Territory. The bacterium was detected in 2 retail nurseries on Citrus aurantiifolia (West Indian lime) near Darwin. The variety of lime affected is a potted patio plant that is not used in commercial citrus production. In addition, the detection was made in a peri-urban area that is more than 2 500 kilometres away from key citrus producing areas (i.e. South Australia, Victoria and Queensland). Tracing studies are underway. Eradication measures were immediately implemented, and restrictions on the movements of plants have been imposed.
The pest status of Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri in Australia is officially declared as: Present: under eradication.
Note: Following this initial report of X. citri subsp. citri in Northern Territory, citrus canker was also detected in Western Australia in 3 properties in May 2018. These detections are linked to imports of plants from the Northern Territory. Test results have confirmed the bacterium in citrus plants which were traced to 2 retail companies in Kununurra, and in a citrus plant in Wyndham. All infected plants have been destroyed.
Sources
INTERNET
Northern Territory
Australian Government. Media statement: Detection of citrus canker in the Northern Territory. http://www.agriculture.gov.au/about/media-centre/media-releases/citrus-canker-nt
IPPC website. Official Pest Reports – Australia (AUS-89/1 of 2018-04-19) Xanthomonas citri subsp citri (Citrus canker) in Northern Territory. https://www.ippc.int/en/countries/australia/pestreports/2018/04/xanthomonas-citri-subsp-citri-citrus-canker-in-northern-territory/
Northern Territory Government. Citrus canker. https://dpir.nt.gov.au/citrus-canker
Queensland Government. Industry alert – Citrus canker (Xanthomonas citri pv. citri). https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/business-priorities/plants/health-pests-diseases/industry-alert-citrus-canker
South Australia
Government of Western Australia (2018-05-18) Effort underway to stop citrus canker in Kununurra and Wyndham. https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/news/media-releases/effort-underway-stop-citrus-canker-kununurra-and-wyndham