OCCURRENCE OF CITRUS BLIGHT IN THE NORTHWESTERN AREA OF THE STATE OF PARANA, BRAZIL

Citrus blight is a vascular abnormality that affects tree production. It is still under debate if it has biotic or abiotic causes. Although it has been detected since 1979 affecting plants in orchards of the State of Sao Paulo, its occurrence was not confirmed in certain citrus producing areas of Brazil. The objective of the present study was to confirm by diagnostic tests the occurrence of citrus blight in the citrus area in the northwestern region of the state of Parana. The study was done at one experimental orchard with 'Valencia' sweet orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osb.) grafted on 'Rangpur' lime (C. limonia Osb.), planted in 1994 and located at Nova Esperanca county. The diagnostic tests of zinc content in the trunk of the plant and the injection of water confirmed the presence of citrus blight. The symptoms of plant decline were characterized by small, opaque and less turgid leaves, reduction of new sprout flushes, twig dieback, reduction of crop and production of smaller fruits. The first occurrence of citrus blight was observed seven years after the planting time and at fifteen years it reached 31% of all plants.