Project Coordinator:
Prof. J.M. Kotzé (private)

Collaborating researchers and technicians involved:
Dr. Tian Schutte, Prof. Lise Korsten (UP), Dr. Linda Meyer (UP), Mariette Truter (UP), Dr. Fanus Swart (QMS).


Citrus black spot is problematic in the citrus production regions with summer rainfall. Apart from fruit being down-graded from a blemish viewpoint, the disease is not tolerated by certain markets as it is considered a phytosanitary risk. Recent research by the CRI Group has led to the development of PCRs for the identification of the pathogen on different substrates (UP), the development of an inoculum-monitoring device (Kotzé & UP), further information on the variable resistance of fruit to the pathogen with age (QMS) and alternative means of control in the field (CRI).