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

• Published in: Pest management science 2013, Vol.69 (1), p.81-87
• Main Authors: Andrade, Daniel J, Falconi, Rosangela S, Siqueira, Diego S, Barbosa, Crislany L, Ferraudo, Antonio S, Oliveira, Carlos AL
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agriculture; analysis of variance; Animal populations; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Brazil; Brevipalpus phoenicis; CiLV; Citrus fruits; Citrus limonia; Citrus sinensis; Citrus sinensis - genetics; Citrus sinensis - growth & development; flat mite; Food Chain; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; mandarins; mites; Mites - physiology; Multivariate Analysis; nitrogen content; numerical classification; oranges; photosynthesis; Plant diseases; Plant Diseases - etiology; plant diseases and disorders; Plant Leaves - genetics; Plant Leaves - growth & development; Plant Roots - genetics; Plant Roots - growth & development; population growth; Random Allocation; rootstocks; soil water content; Statistical analysis; Termites; water content; water deficit
• ISSN: 1526-498X; 1526-4998
• DOI: 10.1002/ps.3365

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