Phyllocnistis citrella and its parasitoids in three citrus species in Greece

The relative abundance as well as the percentage of parasitism of Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) and its parasitoids were studied in a citrus orchard with orange, mandarin and lemon trees in Greece. Infestation of P. citrella on each citrus host, as expressed by the number of mines per leaf, was significantly higher on lemon than on mandarin. The P. citrella parasitoid complex included the native species Neochrysocharis formosa and Pnigalio pectinicornis, as well as the introduced Citrostichus phyllocnistoides. The most abundant of those was N. formosa in all of the citrus species. The average percentage of parasitism was 13.1%, 13.8% and 11.7% on orange, mandarin and lemon, respectively. No significant differences in parasitism rate by each of the three parasitoid species separately were recorded among the three citrus species.     

利用腹管食螨瓢虫控制柑桔全爪螨的研究

本文报道分布于中国东南部的腹管食螨瓢虫Stethorus siphonulus Kapur大面积控制柑桔全爪螨Panonychus citri(McGregor)首获成功;试验示范面积2000多亩,证明保护食螨瓢虫,一般株有瓢虫20—40只者,可无需用药。在春季移殖散放食螨瓢虫,除能控制春季桔全爪螨外,尚可继续控制桔全爪螨的秋季种群,全年无需喷药防治。倘若单独在秋梢期散放食螨瓢虫,秋梢害螨亦可得到显著的控制。移殖散放食螨瓢虫的指标为叶平均有桔全爪螨(包含卵在内各虫态)10只以上,方能建立起瓢虫群落。一般30—40亩果园,只需集中在10株桔树上散放食螨瓢虫200只左右(每株20只),短期内即可繁殖扩散至全园。在大面积桔园,适时进行瓢虫转株再移殖,可以迅速扩大控制范围。     

The influence of citrus rootstocks on the relationship between the mite Brevipalpus phoenicis and citrus leprosis disease

BACKGROUND: Leprosis is one of the most serious citrus plant diseases. Leprosis‐affected plants, especially sweet orange [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck], which is the most widely cultivated citrus fruit worldwide, show reduced photosynthetic capacity and severe defoliation. The aim was to evaluate the relationship between the Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes) vector mite and citrus leprosis disease in Pera sweet orange plants grafted on different rootstocks. Data were analysed using numerical classification and conventional statistical analysis (ANOVA). RESULTS: Both viruliferous and non‐viruliferous B. phoenicis populations increased in number on plants maintained at low soil water content. Among the evaluated rootstocks, Sunki mandarin proved least favourable for mite population increase. Furthermore, the viruliferous mite population increased more rapidly than the non‐viruliferous mite population. CONCLUSION: The Cleopatra rootstock showed low variability in leaf nitrogen content, low mite number and low leprosis severity, thereby producing the most favourable results. Under appropriate moisture conditions, the Sunki rootstock produced the best results, showing the least severe leprosis. Rangpur lime rootstock grown in soil with varying water content showed the greatest variation in foliar nitrogen content, mite number and severity of leprosis and is considered to be the most difficult rootstock to manage. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Spread of Paraleyrodes minei Iaccarino (nesting whitefly) in Italian citrus groves

Outbreaks of Paraleyrodes minei Iaccarino have been noted on citrus in a wide area along the whole eastern coast of Sicily (South Italy), in the districts of Catania, Messina and Siracusa. Until this year, the whitefly was only reported in Italy from a few samples collected on a limited number of ornamental sour orange trees in a town park in Portici, in the district of Naples. Findings in 2014 of the insect in Sicily were made not only on ornamental citrus trees in urban areas, but more importantly in orange, lemon and mandarin commercial orchards. This severe and extremely rapid spread of P. minei in Sicily (where more than half of Italian citrus are produced) represents a potential threat for the local citrus industry and requires careful monitoring to define both the actual pest status of the whitefly as well as the occurrence and role of eventual natural enemies. Brief notes on morphology, bio‐ecology and present geographical distribution of P. minei are given in this paper, together with details on the occurrences in Sicily and short considerations on the pest importance and control possibilities for this insect.     

Evidence for resistance to Citrus tristeza virus in pomelo (Citrus maxima Merr.) grown in Darjeeling and Sikkim hills of India

Darjeeling and Sikkim hills of India are well known for production of mandarin orange (Citrus reticulata). The recent spread of Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) has threatened the citrus cultivation in this region. During a survey in Darjeeling and Sikkim hills, pomelo trees were recorded as CTV free. Since pomelo trees did not show any disease appearance, a study was undertaken to ascertain whether they are resistant to CTV infection or resistant to aphid feeding or both. Toxoptera citricida, the most efficient aphid vector and which is abundantly present in this region, did not feed on pomelo when other Citrus species such as mandarin, kagzi lime and rough lemon were available. Additionally, CTV isolates of Darjeeling and Sikkim hills were not transmissible to pomelo either by T. citricida or grafting. We report for the first time that pomelo is resistant to isolates of CTV present in this region.     

Field effectiveness of fosetyl-AI against citrus foot rot and brown rot1

The effectiveness of fosetyl-A1 against citrus foot rot caused by Phytophthora citrophthora has been evaluated in a 25-year-old orchard of sweet orange cv. Tarocco, showing severe symptoms of the disease and in a 10-year-old orchard of the clementine-type mandarin cv. Monreal, apparently healthy. All the trees were grafted on sour orange. In both orchards, three sprays at 200 g a.i. per 100 1 were applied in May, July and September for 3 years. The results were evaluated on the basis of yield and fruit quality. Trees of cv. Tarocco had yield increased by 25–44% whereas cv. Monreal yielded 3–16% higher than the unsprayed trees. Fruits of orange cv. Tarocco were collected from trees sprayed with fosetyl-A1 and plunged in a water suspension of P. citrophthora. Fruits treated 11 days before inoculation showed an infection rate of 8.7%) whereas those unsprayed were 77% infected. Fruits inoculated 21 days after the treatment with fosetyl-A1 were 32% infected whereas those unsprayed were 91%, infected. In other trials, trees of volkamer lemon were sprayed with a conidial and mycelial suspension of P. citrophthora at different times after application of fosetyl-A1. The number of infected fruits and leaves in the unsprayed trees was very high (up to total leaf drop) and decreased sharply with the number of sprays (1 to 3).     

Molecular characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phoma tracheiphila</Emphasis>, causal agent of Mal secco disease of citrus,in Israel

Mal secco disease of citrus caused by Phoma tracheiphila is a devastating disease in the Mediterranean basin. Susceptible citrus species include lemon, citron, lime and others. Trees attacked by the fungus show characteristic symptoms; the smallest twigs die first, followed by the larger branches. Eventually, the whole tree is killed. The symptoms are clear in the orchards but by the time they are visible the disease is already well established. The need for a sensitive, reliable and rapid diagnostic method for the early identification of the fungus in trees and fruit exists. We have developed a PCR-based method for the identification of P. tracheiphila from plant tissues including fruit. Any such method must take into account the genetic variability in the pathogen population. Molecular methods were used to compare different isolates of P. tracheiphila. This study found no significant differences between different isolates from different citrus species from different parts of Israel.     

柑桔黄龙病毒研究初报

試驗用萊檬(Citrus aurantifolia)及麻疯柑(C.hystrix)作指示植物,用两广黃龙病区病株接穗嫁接接种,表現脉明、叶脉木栓化、茎部凹斑、及矮化、小叶等典型退化病毒(tristeza virus)所致症状,可知我国柑桔黄龙病与国外柑桔退化病(tristeza)系同一种病毒(或病毒群)所致。无病区的四川江津、湖南溆浦和北京的健康甜橙、桔类、及北京檸檬也带有黄龙病毒,可見黄龙病毒的分布远较病区为广。各种柑桔上所带黄龙病毒株系的強弱不同;在碰柑上的为强毒系,甜橙上的为强毒系或较弱毒系,桔类及北京檸檬上的各别为較弱毒系及弱毒系。     

Alternaria Brown Spot of Minneola in Greece; Evaluation of Citrus Species Susceptibility

During the last three years, a new disease was observed in northwestern Greece on Minneola trees, hybrid of mandarin and grapefruit. On May small brown necrotic leaf spots surrounded by yellow halo areas of various sizes appeared and covered a major portion of the leaves with extension of necrosis into the veins. On young fruits small, slightly depressed black spots were the first symptoms, which later became 2–7 mm in diameter. Brown spots were observed on the leaves and fruits in several orchards in the same area, causing leaves and fruits to drop. In some orchards over 50% of the fruits were affected. From the fruit and leaf spots the typical small-spore species Alternaria alternata was isolated. Pathogenicity tests were performed by artificially inoculating fruits of Minneola, common mandarin and Clementine. The symptoms of the disease were reproduced only on fruits of Minneola hybrids by the specific strain of the fungus Alternaria alternata pv. citri. Different citrus susceptibility tests indicated that mandarins Minneola, Nova and Page were very susceptible to tested isolates while Clementine SRA and Poros Clementine were not. All lemons and lime Seedless were not susceptible. Grapefruit New Hall was not susceptible, while the Star Ruby was. Orange Lane Late, Navel Late, Oval Poros, Olinda, Navel Athos were not susceptible and only Moro showed reaction being slightly susceptible only to one isolate.     

湖南丘陵桔园间种藿香蓟对桔树螨类和昆虫的影响

作者评价了湖南丘陵桔园间种藿香蓟对桔树螨类和昆虫的影响。桔园间种藿香蓟、免耕蓄草能改善桔园的小生境,提高桔园夏季相对湿度和冬季温度,降低夏季树冠和土壤温度,创造一个有利于天敌生存的良好环境;能提供钝绥螨的交替食料和栖息、产卵场所;能控制柑桔全爪螨的秋季为害,减轻柑桔全爪螨的春季为害和柑桔潜叶蛾的为害,但加重了柑桔花蕾蛆和天牛类害虫的为害。能提高树体的抗旱和抗寒能力,改善土壤结构,增加土壤肥力,提高柑桔品质和产量,降低防治费用。文中还评价了防治策略、灌溉方式和藿香蓟的长势等因素对间种藿香蓟控制柑桔全爪螨的作用。     

Seasonal susceptibility of citrus scions to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phytophthora citrophthora</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">P. nicotianae</Emphasis> and the influence of environmental and host-linked factors on infection development

Three citrus scions were evaluated to determine seasonal changes in susceptibility to infections by Phytophthora citrophthora and Phytophthora nicotianae. In a period of 24 months, the Clementine mandarin cv. Hernandina, the hybrid Fortune mandarin and the sweet orange cv. Lane-Late were branch-inoculated under field and laboratory conditions. Field studies showed that the cultivars inoculated with P. citrophthora developed the highest lesion areas during March–June (spring) and September–October (autumn) and with P. nicotianae from June to August (summer). However, lesion areas on detached citrus branches did not show a definite pattern of infection because lesion sizes fluctuated irregularly during the study. The lesion area caused by P. nicotianae in different citrus scions correlated significantly with the monthly mean maximum values of temperature, relative humidity, and the percentage of the relative water content in the 24-month period of inoculations. In contrast, there was no correlation between these variables and the extent of colonisation by P. citrophthora. Nevertheless, a significant relationship was observed between lesion areas caused by P. citrophthora from October to May of each year and the same variables that were significant in inoculations with P. nicotianae. Seasonal changes in the susceptibility of citrus cultivars to P. citrophthora and P. nicotianae may facilitate timing of disease control measures to coincide with periods when disease development is greatest.     

生态因素与钝绥螨种群数量关系及应用于防治桔全爪螨的研究

在柑桔园种植一种菊科杂草——藿香蓟覆盖地面,对桔全爪螨的重要天敌纽氏钝绥螨有明显的助长作用。柑园覆盖藿香蓟后,在夏季高温季节,可使柑桔树冠外围温度从40～45℃降至35℃以下,相对湿度增加;藿香蓟的花粉可供作钝绥螨的食料。这种小生境的改善,有利于钝绥螨种群的稳定和增长。藿香蓟草丛中的生态条件适合钝绥螨的生存繁殖,钝绥螨在藿香蓟叶片上的密度,常比在柑桔叶片上为高。在需要使用化学农药防治其他害虫或病害而引致柑桔树上的钝绥螨数量明显减少时,藿香蓟上的钝绥螨是一个重要的补充源泉。藿香蓟的生长抑制了其他杂草,大大减少用于除草的劳动力。藿香蓟可作绿肥,根系较浅,无明显与柑桔争肥现象。经多年试验,证明上述方法防治桔全爪螨的效果良好,目前这种措施已在广东省的一些柑桔产区应用。对柑桔害虫的综合防治,可利用钝绥螨防治桔全爪螨,对其他重要害虫如桔锈螨、柑桔潜叶蛾和柑桔木虱可通过采取选择性农药防治或农业技术防治而加以控制。     

Altitude,tree species and soil type are the main factors influencing the severity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phaeoramularia</Emphasis> leaf and fruit spot disease of citrus in the humid zones of Cameroon

In Cameroon and most countries of tropical Africa where Phaeoramularia leaf and fruit spot disease of citrus is reported, a total yield loss of 50–100% is common. For effective control of this disease, it is imperative to understand how it originates, and which factors contribute to its development. To this end, the environmental and biological characteristics of each tree from 39 sites located in 13 citrus production basins in the humid zones of Cameroon were collected by means of a survey. Information was collected by interviewing heads of households, and by visual inspection of trees and their environment. The independent variable was severity of the disease while the dependent variables were environmental and biological characteristics. Climatic characteristics varied from one basin to another. The 13 citrus production basins were regrouped in five categories based on disease severity. Altitude, tree species and soil type were the main factors influencing the disease severity. Thus the higher is the altitude, the more important is the disease severity. Also, disease severity increased with increasing number of grape fruit, orange and pummelo trees. However, disease severity was lower on trees growing on volcanic soils as compared with the other soil types. Further analysis of these factors could lead to the development of a risk assessment model for Phaeoramularia leaf and fruit spot of citrus.     

Up‐regulation of PR1 and less disruption of hormone and sucrose metabolism in roots is associated with lower susceptibility to ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’

Huanglongbing (HLB), caused by ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ (Las), is a devastating disease of citrus trees in Florida. Previous work showed that the rootstock cultivar Cleopatra mandarin (Citrus reticulata) has a higher population of Las in roots than Swingle citrumelo (C. paradisi × Poncirus trifoliata). Las reduced fibrous root biomass and sucrose content in Cleopatra mandarin more than in Swingle citrumelo. To understand the mechanisms for susceptibility to Las infection, sucrose and hormone metabolism status were evaluated in Cleopatra mandarin and Swingle citrumelo. In fibrous roots of Cleopatra mandarin, higher expression of genes related to sucrose cleavage was consistent with lower sucrose content compared to noninoculated seedlings at 5 weeks post‐root trimming (wpt). In fibrous roots of Swingle citrumelo, both sucrose content and gene expression related to sucrose cleavage were less disrupted by Las infection compared to Cleopatra mandarin at 5 wpt. Genes associated with salicylic acid (SA), ethylene (ET) and abscisic acid (ABA) synthesis, and ABA signalling, phospholipases D (PLD), and phospholipase A2 (PLA2) were activated by Las infection at 5 wpt in Cleopatra mandarin. Expression of downstream effectors of SA, i.e. NPR1, WRKY70 and PR1, did not change in Cleopatra mandarin, suggesting inhibition of the response to SA by the elevation of ABA, ET and PLD. In contrast, the up‐regulation of PR1, lower response of sucrose metabolism genes and down‐regulation of biosynthesis of phytohormones indicates that Swingle citrumelo activates a more effective defence against this biotrophic pathogen than Cleopatra mandarin.     

Citrus viroid II variants associated with ‘Gummy Bark’ disease

A viroid etiology for citrus gummy bark (CGB) disease of sweet orange is supported by the similarity of symptom expression to cachexia disease of mandarins and tangelos caused by the hop stunt viroid (HSVd) related citrus viroid II (CVd-II), as well as the detection of CVd-II variants in CGB infected Washington navel and Dörtyol sweet orange, a Turkish cultivar. A survey was made of 67 clones of CVd-II related variants recovered from severe CGB symptomatic and non-symptomatic trees of the same cultivars growing in close proximity. Only CVd-IIa, a non-cachexia inducing variant, was found in non-symptomatic Washington navel trees and no CVd-II variants were recovered from the Dörtyol control. CGB infected sources contained a number of CVd-II related variants with the predominant species detected closely related to CVd-IIc, a known cachexia inducing viroid. Biological activity of representactive variants from CGB sources was determined by transmission to citron (Citrus medica) as well as by bioassay on the indexing host for cachexia, Parson's Special mandarin (Citrus reticulata).     

柑桔体细胞杂种对柑桔脚腐病的抗病性研究

 三七[Panax notoginseng(Burk) F.H.Chen,1945]是我国的名贵药材之一,与三七有关的各种病害的研究报道较多,但根结线虫危害三七,引起三七根结线虫病尚未见报道。     

Polygalacturonase S31PG1 from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Geotrichum candidum</Emphasis> citrus race S31 expressed in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Schizosaccharomyces pombe</Emphasis> versus S31PG2 regarding soft rot on lemon fruit

Gene S31pg1, which encodes a polygalacturonase (PG), was previously isolated from citrus race S31 of Geotrichum candidum, the causal agent of citrus sour rot. We have now isolated and sequenced an additional PG gene, S31pg2, with 95% identity to S31pg1 in the mature proteins. To evaluate the contribution of the two PG genes in the development of citrus sour rot, each gene was expressed in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Both genes conferred PG activity to the yeast. Crude enzyme solutions containing S31PG1 severely degraded the albedo tissue of lemon peel, but those containing S31PG2 did not. Concentrated crude S31PG1 solutions also caused soft rot on lemon fruit, indicating that not S31PG2 but S31PG1 is an important pathogenicity factor in citrus sour rot. Next, the protopectinase (PP) activity of each PG was measured. Although S31PG1 and S31PG2 are highly homologous, S31PG1 had high PP activity, whereas S31PG2 had much lower activity. PG from G. candidum noncitrus race S63 (nonpathogenic to citrus fruits) was also assayed but did not have any PP activity at all. These results suggest that the different PP activities of the PGs are a key to the pathogenicity of G. candidum to lemon fruit.