Farmers have recently been asking about a disease called gummiosis affecting their orange, mosambi, and lemon trees. Gummiosis is a plant disease that can cause suffering to citrus fruits. It is a bacterial disease that causes gumming and oozing of sap from different parts of the citrus tree – the leaves, branches, and fruits.
This bacterial disease is caused by the Xanthomonas citri bacterium. The bacterium infects the citrus plant when it finds its way into an opening or wound, and then spreads through the tree’s vascular system. The infection causes the tree to produce excessive amounts of gumming, which is evident on the bark of the tree, leaves, and fruits.
The symptoms of gummiosis on oranges, mosambi, and lemons are the same. The first indication is small blister-like growths that appear on the leaves; as the disease progresses, the fruits’ affected parts start to swell and turn yellow. The tree will become weak, stunted, and eventually, entire sections of the tree will die.
To manage gummiosis, farmers need to focus on prevention. Farmers should ensure that they only source disease-free seedlings from reliable and reputable nurseries. Farmers should also take strict control measures to prevent any potential sources of infection. One of the most effective control measures is maintaining tree cleanliness, particularly pruning frequently to allow for good tree-structure management and removing any infected parts.
Apart from physical control measures, farmers can also utilize chemicals to manage the disease. Copper-based fungicides and bactericides are effective in controlling diseases like gummiosis. Farmers should adhere to the recommended doses and usage instructions while applying the fungicides and bactericides.
In conclusion, gummiosis is a potential threat to the citrus industry, and farmers should carry out preventive measures to avoid the disease’s spread. Farmers should source only disease-free seedlings, maintain good tree cleanliness and structure, and apply chemical control measures advisedly. With these measures, citrus farmers can minimize gummiosis infections in their crops, thus ensuring healthy and productive citrus yields.