Major Consumption of Citrus; Post Harvest Losses

In a developing country like Pakistan, post-harvest losses of citrus fruits are in the range of 23-38% as against 5-10% in developed citrus growing countries like Brazil, USA, Australia, Spain, Italy and Israel. Primary factors of post-harvest losses in citrus are mechanical, physiological, pathological or environmental factors are directly responsible. Mechanical loss is caused by careless handling during harvesting, packing, transportation, storage etc. Some insects and birds are also responsible for the mechanical injury. A significant portion of losses during post-harvest period is attributed to diseases caused by fungi and bacteria. Besides attacking fresh fruits and vegetables, these organisms also cause damage to canned and processed products. Environmental factors, temperature, humidity, composition and proportion of gases in controlled atmospheric storage also play an important role. High temperature and relative humidity favors the growth of micro-organisms which cause extensive damage to the produce.

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Leaf minor as a detrimental agent to citrus nursery

Tauqir Anwar¹, Dr. Muhammad Anjum Aqueel^1,3, Dr. Muhammad Afzal, Dr. Muhammad Adnan Shahid^1,2 and Dr. RashadMukhtar Balal^1,2

1 University College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha, Pakistan;

2 Cornell University, NY, USA

3 Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Ascot, SL5 7PY, U.K.

            Citrus is consider as one of most important fruit tree crop in the world on behalf of its dietary meets and taste so being liked all over the world. The broad term citrus includes oranges, mandarins, lemons, limes and grapefruit. In the list of citrus producing countries of the world our beloved country Pakistan got a great name due to its good quality fruit and large amount of citrus production. Pakistan annually produces almost 200 thousand metric tons of citrus. Citrus is grown on large areas in the cities of Bhalwal, Faisalabad, Layah, Sargodha, Sahiwal, Wehari, Mianwali, Mardan, Swat and Khanewal in our country.

        

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Major Consumption of Citrus; Post Harvest Losses

Written by Imran Arif, Hannan Rashid, Dr. Muhammad Anjum Aqueel, Dr. Muhammad Adnan Shahid and Dr. Rashad Mukhtar Balal               

In a developing country like Pakistan, post-harvest losses of citrus fruits are in the range of 23-38% as against 5-10% in developed citrus growing countries like Brazil, USA, Australia, Spain, Italy and Israel. Primary factors of post-harvest losses in citrus are mechanical, physiological, pathological or environmental factors are directly responsible. Mechanical loss is caused by careless handling during harvesting, packing, transportation, storage etc. Some insects and birds are also responsible for the mechanical injury. A significant portion of losses during post-harvest period is attributed to diseases caused by fungi and bacteria. Besides attacking fresh fruits and vegetables, these organisms also cause damage to canned and processed products. Environmental factors, temperature, humidity, composition and proportion of gases in controlled atmospheric storage also play an important role. High temperature and relative humidity favors the growth of micro-organisms which cause extensive damage to the produce. In-adequate harvesting facilities and rough handling results in bruising and increase possibilities of contact of the produce with the soil which leads to contamination with organisms and rotting done in fruits. Besides, use of improper machinery and equipments in mechanical harvesting cause serious losses. Inadequate storage facilities at the producing or marketing centers leaves the produce to the natural causes of losses i.e. Decay by organisms, respiration, transpiration and other biochemical reactions. Transportation and distribution are the important areas of post-harvest loss. Physical and mechanical injuries occur during transportation and distribution. Longer shipment and distribution period eventually cause heavy losses.

Citrus stands first in area and production among the world’s tree fruits. In Pakistan also, citrus fruits are the most important fruit crops grown on the area of 160,000 hectares with production of 1.5 MMT annually. Citrus fruit is grown in all four provinces of Pakistan but Punjab produces over 95% of the crop because of its greater population, favorable growing conditions and adequate water. So to attain maximum output we need to minimize these losses to achieve maximum yield and farmers also get more income for their efforts.

Original Article Here

Transporters' strike hits Kinnow exports hard

The transporters' strike lasting weeks last month reduced the export of Kinnow by more than 6,000 tons worth $3.6 million in December last year, confining export of the fruit to around 39,000 tons worth $23.4 million. In a statement issued on Friday, Chairman of Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchant Association Waheed Ahmed claimed that the country expected an output of at least 1.8 million tons of Kinnow, adding that this season's export target was 200,000 tons.

"If the target is achieved, Pakistan will earn foreign exchange worth $120 million," he said. According to him, Pakistan exported citrus fruit to Ukraine, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, England, Kuwait, Canada, Malaysia, Singapore, Bangladesh, Oman and Bahrain. 

However, due to economic sanctions imposed by the United States, Pakistan's largest market for Kinnow, Iran, remained untapped this year. "There was no significant export of the fruit this year against 25,000 tons exported to Iran last year," he said. The lucrative market of Indonesia also remained closed for Pakistani Kinnow after it imposed high import duty. The duty could have been lifted or reduced if the already signed Preferential Trade Agreement between the two countries had been implemented, he said. 

"At least 20,000-25,000 tons of the fruit can be exported to Indonesia if the agreement is implemented soon." He said that the $1,500 per container General Rate Increase (GRI) imposed by shipping lines was also causing an increase in the cost of exports. The association, he claimed, had suggested Shipping Lines to link GRI with the distance of exportable items/fruit. 

Copyright Business Recorder, 2013

How to supercharge the citrus industry of Pakistan?

Pakistan is a God gifted country. It has vast diversity in its soil and climate, which is suitable for the production of fruit, vegetables, flowers and other crops. Many different types of fruits of high value are produced in the country. Citrus is the largest group of fruits being produced in the country. It has high potential of export and to fulfill the needs of the country. The origin of citrus is southeastern Asia, including from Eastern Arabian to Philippine and from Himalayas to south of Indonesia. Citrus fruits are famous in the world due to its distinct flavor and therapeutic values. These are rich source of vitamin C and minerals like calcium, phosphorus and iron. Its juice is very pleasurable, tasty and soothing. It also used as fresh and for the production of many products and by products. Frozen concentrated orange juice is of great demand in the world market due to its flavor and taste.

Citrus is at the top among all the fruits for its production and trade. It is grown in more than fifty-two countries of the world. Its world wild production is 108 million. Brazil is the largest producer of citrus world wild followed by USA, China and Mexico. Pakistan has prominent position among citrus producing countries. Pakistan is among top 13 citrus producing countries. In the country area of 185 thousand hectares in under citrus cultivation with the annual production of 1.67 million tones. Major citrus growing areas of the country are districts of Sargodha, Mandi Bahauddin, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh and Sahiwal. It is also grown in grown in other districts of Punjab, Singh and NWFP. Sargodha district and its accessories are main sites of citrus industry of Pakistan. There 200 fruit pack houses and three juice extraction units used fro export of citrus fruit and juice.

We have favorable agro climatic conditions, more area for production, cheap labor, more water for irrigation but in our country per hectare yield is less than other leading countries of the world and has negligible share of 1.90% in world export of citrus fruit.  Major reason of low production of citrus industry are attack of diseases and insects, alternate bearing, unavailability of disease free planting material, lack of technical knowledge in farmers, lack of infrastructure and improper post harvest handling. Diseases, pest and post harvest losses are major factors which hinder the production and export of citrus. About 60 years ago there were no citrus disease but no 30 economically important viruses and virus like diseases has been recognized world wild. Citrus decline is a major disorder, which is the result of wrong agronomic practices, improper nursery management and diseases caused by different pathogens. These diseases are common in nursery and also in orchards and also transmitted by grafting. Citrus tristeza closterovirus (CTV) is a major virus disease. During attack of this disease initially branches and leaves become dry. Then after sometime whole plant will dry.

Gummosis is a serious disease of citrus prevailing through out the world. In Pakistan it is present in many orchards. It is caused by Phytophthora species which the roots of nursery and adult plants. In nursery it caused foot rot, Root rot, fibrous root rot and causes 20% loss to the plants. Its symptoms are shown on leaves, stem and fruits but main symptom is gum formation on the stem of affected plants. Roots become fibrous, leaves show nutritional deficiencies. Water socked lesions are formed at the base of leaves and then spread on whole plant.    Another important citrus disease is citrus canker. This is cause by bacterium Xanthomonas axonopodis Pv. Citri occurred all over the citrus growing areas. Young plants are more attacked than matures ones. When disease is sever, defoliation, die back and fruit drop occur and fruits of infected plants are unmarketable.Different insects like Citrus psylla, Citrus leaf miner, Citrus white fly, Citrus red scale and Citrus mealy bug attack on citrus crop, decreases its production and quality. This inferior quality citrus crop cannot be exported because importing countries are imposing strict regulations to save their country from different insects and diseases. If we became successful in controlling these insects and diseases attack then we can earn lot of profit from our citrus crop. Different methods used to protect our citrus crop from different pest and diseases are ( i)Use of sterile and pathogen free soil for nursery.(ii)Use of resistant rootstock if possible.(iii) Obtaining the healthy nursery plants for planting.(iv) Removal citrus hedges because these act as reservoirs for pest build up. (v) Maintain proper spacing between plants for proper management practices. (vi) Pruning and destruction of infested plant portions.(vii) Removal of weeds like cactus, gardenia etc from the nursery.(viii)Use of sticky and slippery bands to control insects.(ix)Use of pheromone traps for insects. (x) Use of natural enemies like lady beetle, lacewing and syrphid flies that feed on insects.

Chemicals like Dimethoate, Imidacloperd, Bifenthrin, Amidaclopard, Curacron, Strepotmycine, Terrazole can be used to control different insects and diseases. But the use of chemicals should be avoided because excessive use of chemicals leaves chemical residues in the fruits. Such fruits are rejected at international level because residues of chemicals cause bad effect on health. According to an estimate 30-40% of our fruits and vegetables have pesticide residues and about 17% are unable to eat due to high marginal residual limit. Therefore our focus should be on integrated control of these different barriers of production. Citrus industry experience substantial post harvest losses due to careless and improper handling during its harvesting, storage, transportation and marketing, which causes bruises and different injuries to fruits, results in various disorders and fruit decay during storage and marketing system. Our farmers do not give more attention on the harvesting and post harvest handling due to which large amount of our precious produce wasted. Manual harvesting is most common method for harvest of citrus fruit world wild. Plucking is also used in all types of citrus fruits except mandarins, which are to be picked by clipping. During harvesting fruits should not be drop on the ground because it causes injuries and disease attack. After harvest fruits should be placed in bags and not on the ground. Transportation should be done in refrigerated vans. Proper handling and cool chain transportation is very important because about 40% of products are wasted due to improper post harvest handling.Proper management for diseases, pests and post harvest handling are most primal steps to boost citrus industry. Some suggestion are (i) Scientific knowledge should be dissemination through all possible means to educate the farmers.(ii)Promotion breeding programme to generate some CVs. of high quality and of local importance. (iii) Provision of capital facilities to small growers. (iv)Training of farmers for pre and post harvest handling. (v) Establishment of cool chain infrastructure.(vi) Establishing a well-developed and strong market of international levels.

Original Article Here

AGRICULTURE: Disease-carrying bug flourishing; growers placed on "high alert"

 By PAT MAIO pmaio@nctimes.com

An insect once thought to be in decline in San Diego and Riverside counties has begun an alarming comeback and threatens the area's $219 million citrus industry.

The head of a state research board says the pest has multiplied extensively in Riverside County ---- particularly in Hemet and Perris ---- with growers in the Temecula area now placed on "high alert" for the Asian citrus psyllid, which typically carries a disease that is deadly to citrus trees. Migration of the bug is headed south into North County.

While the bug has appeared throughout Southern California since 2009, the disease has been found in only one place in California. In March, a lemon tree was found to be infected in a Hacienda Heights neighborhood in Los Angeles County.

The Asian citrus psyllid is a tiny, aphidlike insect that can carry a devastating plant disease called huanglongbing, also known as citrus greening disease. The disease destroys the taste of citrus fruit and juice, along with the production, appearance and value of citrus trees. 

While the bug was first detected back in 2009 in cities along the Mexican border in San Diego County ---- as well as Valley Center ---- the psyllid was detected for the first time ever in Fallbrook on June 11. The bug hadn't been spotted in Valley Center since 2009, but was detected again July 16 in a trap there, state officials said.

A meeting with state agricultural officials and growers and the public has been scheduled for Aug. 7 at the Valley Center Public Library to discuss treatment of infected trees and outline the extent of the bug's migratory movement.

"There has been a considerable increase in psyllids. We are starting to see the population of (Asian) citrus psyllids move south out of Riverside County. They are hitchhiking," said Ted Batkin, president of the Visalia-based California Citrus Research Board. "The threat to North County is the movement from Riverside and not from the border. We are tracking up to hundreds of psyllids, so statistically this means the population is into the thousands."

Batkin noted that the bug had been on the decline since first spotted along the Mexican border a few years ago, but that hundreds of traps in groves have caught enough of the bugs during the spring and summer breeding season to begin sounding alarm bells.

"There has been a considerable increase," said Batkin in an interview Tuesday before meeting with Riverside citrus growers at the board's research laboratory in Riverside. "Ultimately, the psyllids bring the bacterium with them. The growers in Fallbrook and Pauma Valley area have their eyebrows raised. They are on high alert."

Once a citrus tree becomes infected with the disease, there is no cure and the tree will eventually die ---- in three or four years for a 30-year-old tree or six months for a young one. 

Growers are jittery over this discovery because the disease carried by the psyllid wreaked havoc in Florida and Brazil, and could do the same in California's $2 billion citrus industry.

"I think if you look at the science of the creature, and the infection that it's carrying, it's a reasonable conclusion that it could wipe out the industry," said Charley Wolk, a Fallbrook-based manager of avocados and citrus groves in the region. "When you find multiple findings of psyllids, that's not crying wolf. Yeah, I'm concerned, but what can you do? I can't go out with a fly swatter and kill psyllids."

Lisa Leondis, head of San Diego County's department of Agriculture, Weights & Measures, said the mere discovery of the psyllids locally means that quarantines for the areas where the bugs were found ---- including Fallbrook and Valley Center ---- will be extended for another two years. Quarantines already cover most of Riverside and San Diego counties, she said.

A quarantine means that citrus fruit can't be moved out of the county, unless it is clipped of stems, leaves and twigs, according to Leondis. Citrus trees grown by a certified nursery, though, can be shipped out, she said. 

"It's not a pretty picture," said Leondis, who is cautiously optimistic that the region will avoid the fate of Florida and Brazil. "We are in this for the long haul. We have to treat the trees."

The citrus psyllid bores into new leaves sprouting on the tips of branches and lays eggs. The pest generates a white, gooey substance in the area where the psyllids have infected the tree. The psyllid looks like a tiny thorn protruding from the underside of a leaf at about a 45-degree angle.

An Asian citrus psyllid was last found in North San Diego County in a tangelo tree in Valley Center in late 2009. San Diego's citrus industry, including fresh fruit and trees, was valued at $78 million in 2011 in San Diego County, and $140.5 million in Riverside County, according to the latest figures provided by the counties.

"The citrus industry is part of California's heritage," said Steve Lyle, a spokesman with the state's Department of Food and Agriculture in Sacramento.

At the Valley Center meeting on Aug. 7, Lyle said state agricultural officials will explain treatment programs to help kill the psyllids, including spraying the trees with pesticides, and treating the soil so that tree roots absorb the pesticide and attack the bugs as they bore into the leaves.

"We won't eradicate the psyllid, but we are looking to contain it so that when the disease arrives, we will be able to minimize the damage," Lyle said.

Original Article Here

New insects threaten to minimise citrus's yield

Sudden death of citrus and new challenges of insects on citrus plants have threatened to minimise yield potential of country's best exportable fruit.

This was stated by Professor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan, Vice Chancellor University of Agriculture Faisalabad while delivering his presidential address to the participants of two-day seminar on "New Challenges of Insects on Citrus Plant" organised by the Department of Agricultural Entomology in New Senate Hall.

Dr Iqrar urged the need for disease and virus free sanitation nursery mechanism in order to replace traditionally grown plants with certified citrus plants.

He added Pakistan depended much on agricultural commodities particularly fruits, vegetables and cut-flowers as best exportable articles to occupy international market. He said that those articles had attracted investors from all over the world.

UAF VC said that citrus and mangoes had fascinated diaspora stretching from Australia to Middle-East in the past and would remain on demand in future as well.

He added that citrus especially Kinnow mandarin produced in Pakistan doubtlessly had been engrossed in many agreements with Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Middle East. He further said that WTO had placed numerous challenges as well as created opportunities for agricultural exports.

Muzammil Sultan, President Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FCCI) urged the need for collaboration of various stakeholders particularly industrialists and traders with HRD organisations to exploit maximum export potential of world's best stuff of fruits and vegetables grown in Pakistan. He added that in the international trade arena, the issues of marketing with established quality and standards had become more pronounced and complicated.

Professor Dr Muhammad Ashfaq, Dean Faculty of Agriculture said Pakistan had more than 20 agro ecological zones having potential to grow more than 500 crops but unfortunately only 35 crops were being grown in the country. He added that our farming community had never grown citrus as a primary crop resultantly due to mix intercropping practices citrus production was being decreased.

Professor Dr Anjum Sohail, Chairman Department of Entomology said the standards required in the trade included pre and post-harvest indicator pesticides residues, blemishes and warts severely impede the citrus export particularly to EU markets. Director Horticulture Punjab, M Asif Khan while referring the importance of diseases and insect pests reiterated that about 60 years ago there were no citrus diseases but now 30 economically important viruses and diseases had been recognised world-wide.

Professor Dr Sohail Ahmad said that most of virus-like diseases were common in nursery and orchards which were being transmitted through grafting or insects. He maintained that citrus tristeza closterovirus (CTV) greening and canker were blatant examples of insect transmitted diseases which were needed to be identify and controlled. Riaz Mehmood and other speakers also spoke on the occasion.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2012

Identification of some nutritional deficiency symptoms in Citrus

Boron deficient

citrus chlorosis due to iron deficiency

Iron deficiency in citrus

magnesium deficiency

Manganese deficiency

molybdenum deficiency

phosphorous deficient