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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Riverside, California » National Clonal Germplasm Repository for Citrus » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #201430
Title: Leprosis in Guatemala

Author
item PALMIERI, M. - UNIV DEL VALLE, GUATEMALA
item DONIS, I. - UNIV DEL VALLE, GUATEMALA
item SALAZAR, A. - UNIV DEL VALLE, GUATEMALA
item BLANCO, S. - UNIV DEL VALLE, GUATEMALA
item PORRES, M. - UNIV DEL VALLE, GUATEMALA
item BRLANSKY, R. - UNIV OF FL, LAKE ALFRED
item GUERRA-MORENO, A. - UNIV OF FL, LAKE ALFRED
item Keremane, Manjunath
item Lee, Richard

Submitted to: International Organization of Citrus Virologists Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/1/2006
Publication Date: 1/10/2007
Citation: Palmieri, M., Donis, I., Salazar, A., Blanco, S., Porres, M., Brlansky, R.H., Guerra-Moreno, A.S., Keremane, M.L., Lee, R.F. 2007. Leprosis in Guatemala. International Organization of Citrus Virologists Proceedings, 16th Conference, Pg. 510.

Interpretive Summary: Leprosis is an emerging disease of citrus in Central America. This abstract reports the occurrence of leprosis in Guatemala, describes the symptoms and hosts on which the disease has been found, and the control measures which are being used.

Technical Abstract: Leprosis is a disease caused by a rhabdovirus and transmitted by mites of the genus Brevipalpus. It causes severe damages mostly in sweet oranges (Citrus sinensis L.). In Guatemala it was detected around 1995 for the first time but did not become a problem until about 2002. It was first detected in southern Guatemala, but now is widespread. The symptoms of the disease are similar to those reported in Brazil: chlorotic spots or lesions with necrosis around the edge and no necrosis in the center. At first, the symptoms in the fruit are chlorotic, then they turn to necrotic spots with depressions. The branches also have necrotic lesions. The disease has been found on sweet orange and one variety of tangerine. Virus particles have been found in the cytoplasm of the cell but not in the nucleus by electron microscopy. RT-PCR assays have been used to confirm the presence of the leprosis virus. The mite vectors in Guatemala are Brevipalpis californicus and B. phoenicius. The control measures being used are sanitary pruning to eliminate symptomatic tissue, and chemical control of mite vectors.