Sustainable control of the HLB vector in citrus family farming

Scaling up integrated pest management focusing on the HLB vector in family citrus growing in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Bolivia

Context of the story

HLB (Huanglongbing) is the most destructive disease of citrus in the world, caused by a bacterium (Candidatus Liberibacter spp). It is transmitted by an insect vector (Diaphorina citri) or through already infected plants. So far there is no cure. Prevention is based on the use of healthy material, constant crop and vector monitoring, its control, and early elimination of infected plants.
At the moment, vector and crop control is scarce and, when carried out, phytosanitary applications on a fixed calendar basis prevail, mostly using products with higher levels toxicity lacking previous monitoring actions.
The vector insect is present in all four countries of the project platform, with the disease first detected in 2012 in Argentina, 2013 in Paraguay and in December 2022 in Uruguay.

Scale up integrated pest management with focus on the HLB vector in family citrus farming

The implemented initiative

Since 2019, the adaptation and dissemination of IPM technology in HLB vector control in FF has been proposed, specifically through a collective innovation management approach based on demonstration lots, training and communication, enhanced social awareness, sustainability and fruit quality monitoring, and economic analysis among others. The initiative is co-funded by FONTAGRO. In 4 countries: INTA / Fundación ArgenINTA (Argentina), INIA (Uruguay), UNI / FundUNI (Paraguay), Municipal Autonomous Government of Bermejo (Bolivia) take active part in the project. SENASA and FEDERCITRUS (Argentina) and UPEFRUY (Uruguay) act as Associated Organizations in project implementation. Team: 102 researchers, extension agents and communicators.

HLB citrus vector control in integrated pest management (IPM) context

The technological solution

Local adaptation of integrated pest management (IPM) technology in demonstration lots (DL), located in FF units and chosen in a participatory way with local actors, with a focus on controlling the HLB (Diaphorina citri) vector through monitoring practices, the use of safe products that preserve the natural balance and the use of natural enemies (Tamarixia radiata, crispidae). Monitoring allows activating an alert system hosted in a free access web portal (smartphone friendly), developed for FF and other actors. Training: certified IPM monitors; producer families, professionals and operators. Social awareness enhancement through dissertation in communities. Robust Communication strategy. Impact monitoring of the implementation of the IPM in lots: sustainability (AMBITEC-AGRO), effects on fruit quality (MEF, others) and economic-financial analysis. Collective innovation management is promoted as an approach to scaling IPM.

"I'm thinking of planting a lot of 300 new trees next to the demonstration lot, where we intend to apply the set of technologies offered by the project, funding it myself and start implementing this kind of management from the very beginning"

Interviews were conducted with 15 demonstrating producers to ascertain their level of knowledge regarding the HLB vector, integrated pest management (IPM), and the potential for scaling up.

Participating countries

Type of project

Agronomic Practices

Results

17 demonstration lots (DL) with integrated pest and disease management (IPM) strategies; 17 conventional lots (CL).
- 950 monitoring of pests and diseases carried out in DL and CL.
- 3 agreed protocols: Selection of DL in FF; pest monitoring; field notebook.
- 2 Biological control in FONTAGRO lots: Release of Tamarixia radiata at Bella Vista, Corrientes, Argentina and Salto, Uruguay.
- Over 1,000 trained in vector identification, disease symptoms and other pests and diseases.
- 126 certified students who attended 2 online course editions for monitors (2021-2022) PROCADIS INTA e-learning plattform.
- Cell phone/mails alert system with access to the BioTic INTA - FONTAGRO HLB portal (4 sites, aimed at 126 citrus growers).
- 2,000 field guides printed: “HLB y su vector. Imágenes y nota para el reconocimiento a campo". https://repositorio.inta.gob.ar/xmlui/handle/20.500.12123/1444
Impact of the MIP: 17 quality evaluations and 15 economic analyses carried out.