YOGYAKARTA- World citrus production is threatened to reduce by widespread attack of Citrus Vein Phloem Degeneration (GO). Citrus plants that have been infected with this virus will be susceptible to interference, both quality and quantity. Orange will be smaller than normal size. On the other hand, the amount of production has to be reduced dramatically. "Orange plants that are already infected will be smaller, not good and not sweet," said expert of pests and plant diseases from Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Prof. Dr. Ir. Siti Subandiyah, on the sidelines of the closing of the master class program supported by Crowford Fund, the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), and University of Western Sydney (UWS), Friday (4/3).
On the occasion, Siti was accompanied by Frances Barns, Indonesia ACIAR Country Manager, ACIAR Project Leader, Prof. Andrew Beattie, and Prof. Paul Holford from the University of Western Sydney (UWS).
She explained that due to CVPD that is also called as Huanglongbing, it will be difficult to find orange plants that is fruitful for years. After getting infected and receiving late treatment, within a period of two to five years, citrus plants will die. This causes considerable losses, especially for farmers and communities who like oranges. "Farmers can experience losses up to a hundred percent, whereas number of citrus fruit enthusiasts around the world is big enough," said Siti.
According to Siti, most of commercial citrus which is currently available in the market is susceptible to the disease. CVPD virus actually also attacks other same family plants, like kemuning. The virus is transmitted by an insect vector Diaphorina Citri Kuway which attacks the host citrus that had been infected. Therefore, Siti suggested that molecular detection should be conducted for the seedlings planted of the grafting to be really free from disease. "In addition, inter-regional handling, either Asia, Australia, and so forth should continue to be established so the virus stops spreading," said Siti.
Meanwhile, ACIAR Project Leader, Prof. Andrew Beattie, also admitted Huanglongbing now is still the main enemy of citrus farmers around the world. The disease is, not only found in Asia but has spread to Africa and America. "We admit that there are still many obstacles and difficulties to cope with this disease," said Andrew.
Related to the master class program followed by about 45 experts and trainers from various countries, such as India, Cambodia, Vietnam, Australia, USA, China, and Indonesia, it is a follow-up of the cooperation program between Faculty of Agriculture UGM with UWS. The master class program participants had a chance to conduct field visits to the Research Institute for Citrus and Subtropical Fruit Crops in Malang and orange orchad in Purworejo.