Assessing the Prevalence of Viral and Virus-Like Diseases in Citrus Orchards of Northeast Morocco: A Contribution to Orchard Health
Citrus cultivation plays a vital role in both the national and global economies. However, this agricultural heritage faces significant threats from various pathogens, transmitted either naturally or mechanically, among which viruses and virus-like organisms are predominant. In the Mediterranean basi...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
National Institute of Agronomic Research "INRA" Morocco
2024-12-01
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| Series: | African and Mediterranean Agricultural Journal - Al Awamia |
| Online Access: | https://revues.imist.ma/index.php/Afrimed/article/view/46041 |
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| Summary: | Citrus cultivation plays a vital role in both the national and global economies. However, this agricultural heritage faces significant threats from various pathogens, transmitted either naturally or mechanically, among which viruses and virus-like organisms are predominant. In the Mediterranean basin, the most prevalent pathogens affecting citrus include Citrus tristeza virus (CTV), Citrus psorosis virus (CPsV), Citrus exocortis viroid (CEVd), Hop stunt viroid (HSVd), and Spiroplasma citri (S. citri). Developing effective control strategies against these agents is essential for ensuring sustainable citrus production. The success of these strategies relies on a comprehensive understanding of the ecology and epidemiology of these pathogens. Within this framework, a study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of citrus virus and virus-like diseases in the Berkane region. Between December 2022 and January 2023, a total of 100 citrus leaf samples were collected from seven orchards. These samples underwent testing with specific monoclonal antibodies for CTV, CPsV, and S. citri using the DAS-ELISA technique. Findings revealed the presence of S. citri with a low prevalence of 2%, while CTV and CPsV were undetected. RT-PCR assays confirmed the results for CTV and CPsV, and further RT-PCR tests targeting CEVd and HSVd showed that these viroids were widespread in the orchards surveyed, with prevalences of 18% and 55%, respectively. An investigation into aphid vectors of CTV indicated the absence of Toxoptera citricida Kirkaldy, the primary vector of CTV, while Aphis gossypii Glover and Myzus persicae Sulzer were detected. This study underscores the significant prevalence of viroids, particularly HSVd and CEVd, in the citrus orchards of Berkane. The absence of primary vectors, such as T. citricida, may reduce the risk of CTV transmission, though ongoing surveillance and enhanced management practices remain crucial to safeguarding citrus production. |
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| ISSN: | 0572-2721 2658-9184 |