Detection of Citrus Vein Phloem Degeneration (CVPD) disease and the quality of healthy fruits in nutrient deficiency of citrus

Background: Citrus plantation has the main disease called citrus greening disease or Huanglongbing or Citrus Vein Phloem Degeneration (CVPD) which in Indonesia is widely known as CVPD disease. The disease caused by Gram negative bacteria called Liberobacter asiaticus. The disease symptom is very similar to plant deficiency of nutrients and can be confirmed by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Objective: This study tried to find the nutrients deficiency, quality of the fruits, and to detect the presence of the pathogenic bacteria, L. asiaticus. Methods: In the study of nutrients deficiency was done by using AAS technique, while the study of the healthy and consumable fruits was assessed by using AAS and HPLC techniques. Detection of L. asiaticus we used the PCR method. Results: The results of this study showed that all citrus plants showing the nutrients deficiency were infected by the pathogenic bacteria. Nutrient deficiency of citrus plants was found to be deficient in Fe, Mn, Mg, or Zn and the quality of the fruits, therefore, were physically small and lack of vitamin C and antioxidants. Conclusion: The results indicated that there is a correlation between the citrus plant’s infected by L. asiaticus caused nutrients deficiency and lead to the quality of the fruits that we consume. Keywords: Citrus plants, nutrient deficiency, Liberibacter asiaticus, PCR, AAS