Management of Citrus Die-back Disease

Citrus trees are very important plants with high economic value and significant cultivation area in south of Iran. During the recent years, citrus die-back disease caused by Neofusicoccum mangiferae became one of the main treats for citrus production in tropical and sub-tropical regions of Iran. The symptoms of die- back disease are including wilting and declining of branches which start from the tip and then develop to down part of the trunk of infected tree, which sometimes has longitudinal cracks with gum exudation. Cortical layers of infected branches are sloughing off and the mass of fungal spores can be observe easily. Based on some investigations, pathogen is inactive during the winter months and its activity starts from spring and terminates at the end of summer season. The disease is more sever when it occurs in the orchards with poor disease management as well as water and nutrient deficiency. Some cultural practices like a well-managed irrigation and enough fertilizing with no pruning during the summer months, are good disease control measures, which in this paper are discussed.