With an investment of $200 million (in Brazilian reals), three citrus research organizations in Brazil have partnered to create a research center in São Paulo to seek solutions to citrus greening. The São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), Fundecitrus and Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture at University of São Paulo (ESALQ-USP) agreed on Jan. 12 to establish the Applied Research Center in Innovation and Sustainability in Citrus Farming (ARC-Citros).
“We’re replicating, now, with the creation of the center, the successful model for combating Xylella, which occurred 25 years ago and affected citrus farming in São Paulo,” said FAPESP President Marco Antonio Zago. Xylella causes citrus variegated chlorosis, commonly known as yellowing.
The $200 million investment will be for the next five years and then renewable for another five years. Of that total, FAPESP and Fundecitrus will contribute $90 million.
The center’s mission will be to develop research, disseminate knowledge and transfer technology to the citrus industry. Initially, ARC-Citros will consist of a network of 75 researchers from various fields affiliated with 19 institutions. This includes collaborators from Brazil, France, Spain, England, Portugal, the United States and Australia.
Antônio Juliano Ayres, executive director of Fundecitrus, said ARC-Citros will be essential to containing the spread of citrus greening disease. “If we work together with unity and wisdom, we have everything to overcome greening and keep our citrus industry healthy and competitive,” he said.
According to Fundecitrus, ARC-Citros research will focus on:
- The interaction between plant, pathogen and vector
- The development of more effective management strategies
- The training of new specialists in citrus cultivation
“The formation of this international research network through the new center is essential because a single laboratory will probably not be able to solve the greening problem,” said Carlos Gilberto Carlotti Junior, University of São Paulo dean.
Sources: Elton Alisso of FAPESP and Fundecitrus
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