IDENTIFICATION OF THE BACTERIA CAUSING HUANGLONGBING
Abstract
The objective of this study was to identify the bacterial agent responsible for huanglongbing (HLB) in citrus production areas of Panama. Leaf samples were collected from commercial citrus plantations and home orchards in the provinces of Bocas del Toro, Chiriquí, Coclé, Herrera, Panamá Oeste, and Veraguas. Samples from the IDIAP Citrus Germplasm Bank were also included. Genomic DNA was extracted using the 2× CTAB method. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were performed using specific primer sets for HLB detection, including OI1/OI2c, OI2/23S1, HLB65/HLB66, GB1/GB3, and a 226-bp primer pair. PCR products were visualized by agarose gel electrophoresis. DNA sequencing was conducted on ten citrus samples, including Creole orange, Creole lemon, Rangpur lime, and sour orange, obtained from commercial and backyard plantations. HLB was not detected in myrtle samples or in samples from the IDIAP Citrus Germplasm Bank. Sequence analysis of amplicons generated with primers HLB65/HLB66 and OI1/OI2c confirmed that the causal agent of HLB in Panama is Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus. These results provide molecular confirmation of the presence of the HLB pathogen in affected citrus production areas and contribute to disease surveillance and management efforts in the country.
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References
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