Citrus canker

Infected plants display lesions that can form on leaves, fruit and stems.

The lesions increase in size to 5-10 millimetres (mm) over several months.

Eventually the lesions collapse forming a crater-like appearance. They become surrounded by characteristic yellow halos. The raised edges of the lesion may appear slimy.

Plants with the disease may have sluggish growth and reduced fruit quality and quantity.

In severe cases infected plants will die.

Plants that can get the disease

Citrus canker can infect all citrus plants and some other species. Get a full list of potential host plants.

Restrictions on planting citrus trees have been lifted.

There are still control area quarantines in place.

Control areas

You can't move citrus plants or related products out of the current control areas unless you have a permit.

The following locations are included in the control areas:

• Darwin
• Palmerston
• the Darwin rural area
• Bachelor
• Adelaide River
• Katherine.

Citrus canker can be spread by:

• wind and rain
• landscaping equipment
• people through hands, clothing, or equipment
• infected or exposed plants or plant parts.

Increased risk in the wet season

There is a greater risk of citrus canker spreading during the wet season due to increased rain and wind.

Citrus canker symptoms are also more common after heavy rain and high temperatures.

It is important to check your plants during the wet season and report any changes.

Storms may also interrupt the work of plant health inspectors in removing plants from properties in restricted areas.

Commercial growers, market gardeners and individuals can apply for a permit to:

• move citrus plants and materials out of the control areas
• move citrus plants and materials within or from a restricted area.

It is your responsibility to get a permit to move citrus when quarantine and movement restrictions are in place.

You must submit your application at least five business days before the proposed movement date.

Apply for the permit:

• online at the Department of Primary Industry and Resources' website
• or by completing the below application and emailing it to quarantine@nt.gov.au.

Citrus movement application PDF (169.9 KB)

If you have any queries email quarantine@nt.gov.au.

Find out more about citrus canker on the Plant Health Australia website.

Fact sheets

• What is citrus canker PDF (1.3 MB)
• Garlon herbicide PDF (129.3 KB)

Information in other languages

• What is citrus canker: Chinese PDF (1.4 MB)
• What is citrus canker: Greek PDF (1.4 MB)
• What is citrus canker: Filipino PDF (1.4 MB)
• What is citrus canker: Nepalese  PDF (1.3 MB)

Contact

Contact the Department of Primary Industry and Resources by:

• calling or texting the program team on 0436 643 470
• emailing citruscanker@nt.gov.au
• submitting an online report.