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


CONCLUSIONS
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.
State University of São Paulo, College of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences (FCAV/UNESP), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil. danieldwv@yahoo.com.br
Daniel J
DJ
Andrade
Rosangela S
RS
Falconi
Diego S
DS
Siqueira
Crislany L
CL
Barbosa
Antonio S
AS
Ferraudo
Carlos A L
CA
Oliveira
D000383:Agriculture; D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil; D032084:Citrus sinensis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development*; D020387:Food Chain; D008925:Mites / Q000502:physiology*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D011897:Random Allocation