Ludhiana, February 21: The scientists of PAU have advised the farmers to control citrus psylla, an important insect-pest of citrus, to check the spread of the disease-citrus greening in orchards. In case of mild symptoms, it is useful to spray tetracycline-hydrochloride (0.1%) during May-June to suppress the disease symptoms for better growth and fruit quality.

It is not possible to eradicate citrus greening as inoculum sources are widespread and citrus psylla is well established. Therefore, it requires an integrated approach including: use of disease-free nursery plants, cultural practices to ensure timely removal of infected plants, and control of citrus psylla. Growers are advised to pay utmost attention to identification of the disease and take appropriate timely control measures.

Nursery growers should use sterilized garden tools for budding and pruning operations. Garden tools can be sterilized with alcohol, methylated spirit, or 1 per cent sodium hypochlorite.

Citrus greening disease greatly reduces the productive life span of kinnow and other citrus species. The disease has been responsible for serious citrus decline in many countries of Asia and Africa. The disease is now a serious concern to the kinnow industry of Punjab, especially in Hoshiarpur belt.

According to PAU experts, the disease is likely to spread fast due to the ignorance of farmers and nursery growers regarding its exact identification and causes. The major cause of the spread of the disease is infected bud-wood taken from diseased mother plants.

The disease flares up as the nursery workers use the same unsterilised tools for the operations in the nurseries, leading to infection of healthy plants with the bacterium causing the disease.