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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Pierce, Florida » U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory » Subtropical Plant Pathology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #173873
Title: INCIDENCE AND DIVERSITY OF CITRUS TRISTEZA VIRUS IN HAWAII

Author
item MELZER, M. - UNIV. OF HAWAII
item BORTH, W. - UNIV. OF HAWAII
item ZEE, F. - USDA, ARS, HAWAII
item GARNSEY, S. - UNIV. OF FLORIDA
item Hilf, Mark
item HU, J. - UNIV. OF HAWAII

Submitted to: International Organization of Citrus Virologists Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/15/2005
Publication Date: 7/15/2005
Citation: Melzer, M., Borth, W., Zee, F., Garnsey, S., Hilf, M.E., Hu, J. 2005. Incidence and diversity of citrus tristeza virus in hawaii. International Organization of Citrus Virologists Proceedings.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Citrus tristeza virus (CTV), the causal agent of quick decline and stem pitting in citrus, and its most effective vector, the brown citrus aphid (BrCa) (Toxoptera citricida Kirk.), have been present together in Hawaii for over 50 years. In this study the incidence, diversity, and population structure of Hawaiian CTV strains was examined. Samples collected on Kauai (8 sites, 91 trees), Oahu (13, 86), Molokai (4, 12), Maui (10, 87), and Hawaii (15, 129), underwent RT-PCR for the CTV coat protein gene as well as tissue blot immunoassays (TBIAs) using five CTV antibodies. Samples testing positive for either RT-PCR or TBIA underwent further RT-PCR using primers specific to CTV genotypes T3, T30, T36, and VT. The incidence of CTV on Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui, and Hawaii was 59, 87, 58, 63, and 83%, respectively, with an overall incidence of 74% (298/405). Strains with similarity to T3, T30, T36, and VT genotypes were identified in these samples, although their distribution was not uniform throughout the islands. Most infections, however, were composed of CTV strains that did not resemble any of these genotypes. The coat protein (CP) sequence was determined for over 100 Hawaiian CTV strains. Phylogenetic analysis using sequences as well as CP sequences of CTV strains from other parts of the world indicate that Hawaii has previously uncharacterized strains of the virus.