A survey of Florida citrus viruses and viroids

Abstract

Efficient disease management is critical in the production of citrus; a crop that is susceptible to several plant pathogens. The ongoing battle with citrus greening has led to a shift in cultural practices, which could lead to a resurgence of previously controlled diseases. Here we investigated the presence of several common citrus-infecting viruses and viroids (Citrus leaf blotch virus, Apple stem grooving virus (synonym: Citrus tatter leaf virus), Citrus exocortis viroid, Hop stunt viroid (synonym: Citrus viroid II), and Citrus dwarfing viroid (synonym: Citrus viroid III) in Florida citrus groves. All five viruses and viroids are still present, with varying incidence. It would be prudent to take them into consideration when developing citrus disease management strategies.