Detection of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter Asiaticus’ the Causal Organism of Huanglongbing, in Mandarin Group of Citrus

Abstract

Huanglongbing (HLB) is a fatal disease of citrus. We report the detection of 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' the causal organism of huanglongbing, in mandarin group of citrus. Four genotypes of citrus belonging to mandarin group including: Citrus sunki, Kinnow, Parson's Special and Sun Chu Sha were studied for the detection of HLB bacterium. Taqman based real time qPCR was performed for the detection of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus in citrus host. Highest mean cycle threshold value of 25.06 was obtained for Kinnow mandarin while 24.30 for Parson's Special, 23.95 for Citrus Sunki and 22.0 for Sun Chu Sha. These results may be helpful in the development of management plans for HLB control in Pakistan as well as round the world.