According to Ulises Diaz Zorrilla, a researcher of the National Institute of Forestry, Agriculture and Livestock Research (INIFAP), Persian lime exports are at risk due, as the entry of leprosis to the State of Veracruz could cause the closure of this market, which is why the sector needs to conduct field investigation to control the disease.
"We want to implement new research regarding the BTC and leprosis, which are pests and diseases that have been recently introduced to our state and that can strongly affect the export of Persian lime or any other citrus. Leprosis has spread in almost all of the country, including the citrus of Veracruz.
The INIFAP researcher said that the disease came from orange, grapefruit and mandarins, and that it had recently been detected in Persian lime. Initially the disease affected the plants' leaves and branches, and then its fruits, putting lime exports at risk.
He recommended producers to carry out a thorough study on their plantations, so that they can detect what diseases and pests there are on their agricultural plots, and then carry out controls on the diseases that are detrimental to production.
He emphasized that the "plant health authorities, the body in charge of detecting this type of pests in the region, have detected it in the city of Aleman, but we have observed many suspicious samples here in the region."
If said samples are positive, he said, they will have to implement the necessary actions; producers will be notified so that they carry out the proper management, so that the marketing of Persian limes at the international level are not affected.
Finally, he said that there would be a citrus fruit festival held at the INIFAP's facilities on November 30th, and invited all producers to attend the talks that the institution provides.
Source: diarioelmartinense.com.mx