Diagnosis and distribution of Citrus tristeza virus in northern Veracruz

Abstract

In the last three years, citrus trees have died at an alarming rate and producers in northern Veracruz relate this to the previous yellowing of the plants. The objective of the research was to know the relationship of CTV with the yellowing and death of citrus trees; the presence of the virus was diagnosed in seven citrus-producing municipalities in the north of Veracruz. 804 samples of citrus trees were collected in 90 locations in the municipalities of Álamo, Castillo de Teayo, Cazones, Chicontepec, Ixhuatlán, Papantla and Tihuatlán. Of the total samples, 380 were positive for CTV; 68% corresponded to weak variants and 40% to severe type. In all municipalities the following symptoms were observed: death of branches (68%), yellowing of shoots (41%), trees with small leaves and barking of the trunk had values of 38 and 32% respectively, with small fruits. years the incidence was 31%, finally, generalized yellowing (19%). For the management of the disease there are various alternatives, the most used is the use of tolerant rootstocks, however, with the existence of severe variants even with tolerant rootstocks there may be death of trees, so it is necessary to look for and implement other more far-reaching options. The results show that even with the regulations that regulate the production and mobilization of plants, the virus is widely distributed in the seven municipalities of northern Veracruz.