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Title: IS MEYER LEMON A THREAT TO CITRUS?

Author
item LEE, RICHARD - UNIV. OF FLORIDA
item BARBER, BILL - LYKES BROS, INC.
item BROWN, LARRY - DPI
item KESINGER, MIKE - DPI
item Garnsey, Stephen
item SCHIRARD, BRANTLEY - SCHIRARD CITRUS, INC.

Submitted to: Citrus Industry
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/1/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Not required.

Technical Abstract: Meyer lemon trees, which are widely distributed as dooryard citrus in Florida, are viewed as a potential threat to commercial citrus in Florida because some sources of Meyer lemon are infected with citrus tristeza virus (CTV) isolates which can cause moderate stem pitting symptoms when inoculated into grapefruit trees. Some Meyer lemons are also infected with citrus tatterleaf virus. However, some Meyer lemon trees are not infected with either severe isolates of CTV or tatterleaf and do not present a significant risk. The grapefruit stem pitting isolates of CTV in Meyer lemon are also not readily aphid transmitted. Voluntary removal of existing Meyer lemon trees is encouraged, but mandatory eradication of Meyer lemons is not recommended because of the limited risks involved, and the difficulty in identifying specifically those trees that pose a hazard and removing them. Propagation of Meyer lemons infected with severe isolates of CTV should be discontinued.