Citrus tristeza closterovirus is present in Lebanon
Studies were carried out in Lebanon on the sanitary status of citrus orchards. A total of 7556 citrus trees were tested. Results showed that the incidence of citrus tristeza closterovirus (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) in south Lebanon was high and could reach up to 32% incidence in some orchards, while it did no exceed 8% in the tested orchards in the north. As for the general sanitary status of the citrus orchards in Lebanon, the following disease incidences were recorded: 2.3% for citrus tristeza closterovirus, 33% for cachexia, 31% for exocortis, 26% for psorosis, 10% for Spiroplasma citri (EPPO A2 quarantine pest), 1% for the infectious variegation virus. However, citrus tatter leaf capillovirus (EPPO A1 quarantine pest) and Satsuma dwarf ‘nepovirus’ (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) were not found. The EPPO Secretariat had previously no data on the occurrence of citrus tristeza closterovirus in Lebanon.
Sources
Saade, P.; Khoury, W.; de Nivea, A.M.; Savino, V. (1997) Evaluation of the sanitary status of citrus trees in Lebanon and the incidence of CTV in infected orchards.
Abstract of a paper presented at the 6th Arab Congress of Plant Protection , 1997-10-27/31, Beirut (LB), p 189.