Citrus canker

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

The lesions increase in size to 5-10 millimeters (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.

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.

Restricted areas

Areas where infected plants have been found have additional restrictions on the movement, planting and possession of citrus plants.

These include areas of the following suburbs and regions:

• Darwin Airport (includes parts of Coconut Grove, Eaton, Ludmilla and Millner)
• Howard Springs
• Humpty Doo
• Karama
• Katherine
• Lambells Lagoon
• Marrakai
• Moulden (includes parts of Woodroffe)
• Nakara (includes parts of Alawa, Brinkin and Tiwi)
• Palmerston (includes parts of Durack, Palmerston City and Yarrawonga)
• Wanguri (includes parts of Casuarina, Nakara and Tiwi)
• Woolner (includes parts of Bayview, Parap and Stuart Park)
• Wulagi (includes parts of Leanyer and Malak).

If you live in a restricted area

Don't move any citrus and related plants or products to or from your property.

The department is removing all citrus canker host plants and materials from properties in the 13 restricted areas.

Call or text 0436 643 470 to arrange a time for authorised inspectors to visit your property. You can also call the canker hotline on 1800 931 722.

You can't plant any citrus canker host plants until movement restrictions are lifted.

You can still buy and sell citrus fruit and juice that comes from outside the control area. This includes products found in most supermarkets.

Citrus canker does not harm humans or animals and fruit remains safe for consumption.

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 into, within or from a restricted area.

It is your responsibility to get a permit to move citrus when 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 (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.

• Eradication program fact sheet (217.3 kb)
• Movement restrictions fact sheet (210.5 kb)
• Prevent the spread of citrus canker fact sheet (622.3 kb)
• Garlon herbicide fact sheet (129.3 kb)

Information in other languages

• Citrus canker general information: Chinese (946.6 kb)
• Citrus canker general information: Greek (788.5 kb)
• Citrus canker general information: Tagalog (788.8 kb)
• Citrus canker facts: Yolngu Matha (2.0 mb) (audio)
• Citrus canker facts: Kriol (2.1 mb) (audio).

Contact

Contact Department of Primary Industry and Resources by:

• calling the citrus canker hotline on 1800 931 722 (open 24/7)
• calling or texting the program team on 0436 643 470
• emailing citruscanker@nt.gov.au