HLB PRESENCE IN COLIMA, MEXICO. ADAPTATION ALTERNATIVES

Abstract

Until 2010 Colima ranked first as a world producer of lemon; the introduction of the bacterial disease
"Huanglonbing" (HLB), caused great losses. So far there is no known cure and producers have
implemented various adaptation alternatives to maintain the activity, from migrating to other crops,
as well as applying the methods suggested by SENASICA CESAVECOL such as: elimination of
infected trees, use certified plant, intensive pest control and good agronomic management. The
objective of this work was to quantify the fluctuations that the lemon plantations presented in the first
years of HLB affectation, through Remote Sensing and to verify the gradual recovery due to good
management. Around 5,000 ha of citrus fruits were replaced, which meant a reduction of 84,721.88
tons in the production volume of Mexican lemon and a loss of approximately 302,636,729 pesos.
Currently the citrus activity in Colima presents encouraging results.