Mexican Lime Product System (Siprolimex) president Sergio Ramírez Castañeda said a recent cold front and rains in the region of Tierra Caliente will help the industry, website Cambiodemichoacan.com.mx reported.

Ramírez Castañeda said the cold weather would keep the vector pest diaphorina citri at bay, and therefore reduce the spread of citrus green disease, otherwise known as Huanglongbing (HLB).

He told the website the rains had not led to any damages but constant orchard monitoring continued to make sure the weather hasn't led fruit or flowers to fall.

"The water topples the eggs, which fall and are eaten by other insects or bacteria on the ground; or also, the low temperatures can affect the hatching of eggs," he was quoted as saying.

"Both actions significantly reduce psyllid populations and thus the spread of bacteria to other orchards."

Tierra Caliente consists of parts of the states of Guerrero, Michoacan and Estado de Mexico.

Photo: Cambio de Michoacan

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