LIFE Vida for Citrus: Development of sustainable control strategies for citrus under threat of climate change & preventing entry of HLB in UE

The LIFE Vida for Citrus project aims to implement strategies for adapting the citrus industry and ornamental citrus in urban areas in Europe to climate change. It also aims to anticipate the arrival of HLB disease in Europe by improving the citrus resilience.

Date de début de projet

01/07/2019

Date de fin du projet

30/06/2023

Objectives

  • Develop an early detection kit for HLB,
  • Test new varieties of rootstock resistant to the pathogen and high temperatures, which will be adapted to citrus production in the Mediterranean basin,
  • Test the effectiveness of integrated disease and vector control techniques (Trioza erytrea) that are environmentally friendly, promote biodiversity and ecosystem services, and reduce the carbon footprint of citrus growth,
  • Disseminate good practices to stakeholders in the sector within the EU, through a training programme.

Location

France (Corsica, Guadeloupe), Italy (Sicily), Portugal (Alentejo, Algarve, Lisbon and Val-de-Tage), Spain (Andalusia, Canary Islands, Valencia, Murcia).

Description

HLB (Huanglongbing) disease, caused by bacteria of the genus Candidatus "Liberibacter", has already caused very serious damage in citrus orchards around the world. It is now threatening to arrive in Europe. European citrus industry is also threatened by the predicted effects of climate change, which will lead to an increase in average temperatures and periods of drought.

The LIFE Vida for Citrus project aims to prepare citrus growing in Western Europe for these constraints. It brings together both academic partners (universities and research organisations) and private partners (farmers' associations, citrus fruit companies). It aims to establish recommendations and develop control strategies and methods directly applicable by end-users.

Partnership

ASAJ (Asociación Agraria Agraria Jóvenes Agricultores Málaga (project coordinator, Spain), Agrimarba (Spain), AVA-ASAJ (Asociación Valenciana de Agricultores - Asociación Agraria Jóvenes Agricultores, Spain), Ayuntamiento de Sevilla (Spain), Cirad (Guadeloupe, France), ICIA (Instituto Canario de Investigaciones Agrarias, Canaries, Spain), IFAPA (Instituto Andaluz de Investigación y Formación Agraria, Pesquera, Alimentaria y de la Producción Ecológica, Spain), INra (Corse, France), IVIA (Instituto Valencia de Investigación Agrarias, Spain), UAlg (Universidade do Algarve, Portugal), UNICT (Università degli Studi di Catania, Italy), Valenciagro (Produção Fruticola, Unipessoal LDA, Portugal).

Team

Evolutionary Structure of Citrus, Polyploidy and Genetic Improvement (SEAPAG)

Fundings

Europe-LIFE Climate Change Adaptation Programme. Total budget: €3,353,664.

Key words

Citrus, biodiversity, resilience, HLB, rootstocks, Trioza erytrea, sustainable agriculture