First report of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ in Oman
Diaphorina citri, the vector of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ (Hemiptera: Liviidae - EPPO A1 List) was first recorded in Oman in 2005 (EPPO RS 2008/120). A survey was conducted from September 2014 to January 2016 on acid lime (Citrus aurantifolia) in six governorates of Oman: Batinah (North and South), Sharqiya, Dakhiliya, Wusta and Dhofar. Symptoms of Huanglongbing were observed in 4 regions: Batinah, Sharqiya, Dakhiliya, and Dhofar and molecular analysis detected the presence of ‘Ca. L. asiaticus’ in 40-71.8% of samples depending on the regions. ‘Candidatus Liberibacter africanus’ (present in neighbouring countries) was not detected but the authors considered that surveys should be extended to other regions and other citrus species.
The situation of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ in Oman can be described as follows: Present, only in some areas (first reported in 2018 in different regions).
Sources
Al Fahdi A, Al-Mamari A, Shahid MS, Maharachchikumbura SSN, Carvalho CM, Elliot SL, Al-Sadi AM (2018) Characterization of Huanglongbing disease associated with acid lime (Citrus aurantifolia Swingle) in Oman. Journal of Plant Pathology 100(3), 419–427. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42161-018-0088-9