• Topics: Spann, Timothy M  | Yates, Jamie D  | Chung, Kuang Ren  | Brlansky, Ronald H  |  Atwood, Ryan A  | Horticultural Sciences  | Dooryard Citrus Production series  |  Citrus Diseases 

Dooryard Citrus Production: Citrus Diseases Exotic to Florida¹

Florida is world famous for its citrus production, and many homeowners in Florida enjoy growing citrus in their yards. Unfortunately, citrus is susceptible to a large number of diseases caused by plant pathogens, and losses due to plant diseases can be severe. Major citrus diseases that are present in Florida include citrus tristeza virus (CTV), blight, greasy spot, Alternaria brown spot, Phytophthora-induced diseases, melanose, scab, postbloom fruit drop (PFD), citrus canker, and citrus greening. Fortunately, many other pathogens that can attack citrus have not been reported in Florida. Any exotic pathogen, if introduced, has the potential to significantly reduce the ability of homeowners to successfully grow citrus, as well as increase the cost of commercially grown citrus.

An example of the impact of exotic pathogens is citrus greening disease (see IFAS publication "Dooryard Citrus Production: Citrus Greening Disease"). Citrus greening is a devastating disease of citrus that has reduced or eliminated citrus production wherever it has spread. In 1998, the Asian citrus psyllid, the insect pest that transmits greening, was discovered in Florida. In 2005, citrus greening was discovered. This pest and disease were accidentally introduced to Florida through the movement of infected plant material. Within two years of the discovery of greening disease in Florida, hundreds of acres of infected trees had to be removed, many more acres went into decline, and production costs have more than doubled. This series of events has affected prices of both fresh fruit and juice products, directly impacting the consumer.

This paper will focus on four citrus diseases exotic to Florida: citrus leprosis, citrus tristeza virus-stem pitting (CTV-SP), citrus variegated chlorosis (CVC), and sweet orange scab. The purpose is to: 1) raise homeowner and hobby citrus grower awareness of diseases that may pose potential risks to Florida, and 2) provide basic identification information so that these diseases can be detected early and eradicated quickly and properly to minimize overall impact should they be introduced to Florida.

Citrus Leprosis

Citrus leprosis is a viral disease that causes chlorotic (yellow) lesions on citrus leaves, fruit and stems. Leprosis is currently a major disease of citrus in Brazil and other South American countries. Leprosis was present in Florida prior to 1925, but is no longer present. Leprosis is transmitted by several species of mites belonging to the genus Brevipalpus. For additional information on Brevipalpus mites see IFAS publications EENY-384 and EENY-381, available online at: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IN690 and http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IN685, respectively.

Leprosis primarily affects oranges, but can also affect tangerines/mandarins. Symptoms appear on leaves, fruit and stems (Figs. 1-3), appearing first as chlorotic spots and then becoming necrotic lesions. Large lesions may result in fruit drop, leaf drop and stem dieback

Figure 1. 

Chlorotic (yellow) leaf spots caused by citrus leprosis on sweet orange. Photo: R.H. Brlansky, University of Florida

Figure 2. 

Symptoms of citrus leprosis on green fruit. Chlorotic (yellow) lesions are early symptoms (A); as lesions age, the centers may become necrotic (B). Photos: R.H. Brlansky (A) and J.D. Yates (B), University of Florida

Figure 3. 

Necrotic lesions on citrus stems caused by citrus leprosis. Photo: J.D. Yates, University of Florida

Given that leprosis has been present in Florida in the past, the climatic conditions for its re-establishment and spread exist. It is important that leprosis-infected material be kept out of Florida to avoid re-introducing this potentially damaging disease.

Citrus Tristeza Virus-Stem Pitting (CTV-SP)

CTV-SP is a viral disease caused by specific strains of citrus tristeza virus (CTV). CTV is present in Florida; however, the specific strains that cause CTV-SP are not. CTV causes general tree decline of trees grafted on sour orange and bitter sweet rootstocks.

Trees infected with CTV can be replaced by trees grafted on non-susceptible rootstocks. Unlike CTV decline, CTV-SP can affect trees regardless of the rootstocks they are grown on. Currently there are no CTV-SP-resistant cultivars of sweet orange or grapefruit. CTV-SP is widespread in Asia, Australia, South Africa, Brazil, Columbia, and many other citrus-growing areas.

The presence of non-stem pitting strains of CTV in Florida indicates that conditions are favorable for CTV-SP to spread should it be introduced. Also, the brown citrus aphid (Toxoptera citricida (Kirkaldy), Fig. 4), which is the most efficient insect at transmitting CTV-SP, is already well established in Florida, indicating that the disease could spread very quickly if introduced. More information about the brown citrus aphid can be found in IFAS publication EENY-007, available online at: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IN133

Figure 4. 

Brown citrus aphid infestation on young citrus shoot. Photo: R.H. Brlansky, University of Florida

There is some variability in the susceptibility of citrus varieties to CTV-SP. Limes, grapefruit and sweet oranges are all highly susceptible. Tangerines (mandarins) are tolerant, but may show symptoms under some conditions.

The severity of symptoms of CTV-SP can vary depending on the specific strain of the virus that is infecting a tree. The disease gets its name from the stem pitting it causes throughout stems above the bud union, which can be seen when the bark is peeled away (Fig. 5). Severe stem pitting may give stems a rope-like appearance. Trees may continue to grow vigorously with this symptom, but fruit size can be reduced (Fig. 6). The most severe form of the disease can cause brittle stems, abnormally thick bark, and small misshapen fruit. Leaves may be chlorotic (Fig. 7).

Figure 5. 

Stem pitting of grapefruit stem caused by citrus tristeza virus-stem pitting (CTV-SP). Photo: R.H. Brlansky, University of Florida

Figure 6. 

Reduced fruit size caused by citrus tristeza virus-stem pitting (CTV-SP, right) compared with normal-sized, healthy fruit (left). Photo: R.H. Brlansky, University of Florida

Figure 7. 

Leaf chlorosis (yellowing) caused by severe infection of Citrus tristeza virus-stem pitting (CTV-SP) in a young tree. Photo: R.H. Brlansky, University of Florida

Citrus Variegated Chlorosis (CVC)

CVC is a bacterial disease caused by the pathogen Xylella fastidiosa. Other strains of X. fastidiosa cause diseases of grape, peach, almond, plum, oak and sycamore and are present in parts of the U.S. The bacterium is spread by small insects known as sharpshooter leafhoppers (Fig. 8). There are at least four genera of sharpshooters in Florida that may be capable of transmitting the disease if it is introduced (see IFAS publication EENY-334, available online at: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IN611). Currently, CVC is prevalent in Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay, and has recently spread beyond South America to Costa Rica (Aguilar et al., 2005).

Figure 8. 

A sharpshooter leafhopper that transmits citrus variegated chlorosis (CVC). Photo: R.H. Brlansky, University of Florida

Trees infected with CVC develop chlorotic (yellow) spots on the upper surfaces of the leaves (Fig. 9). On the lower surface of the leaf, brown gummy lesions develop corresponding to the chlorotic spots on the upper surface. Trees infected with CVC have reduced vigor and growth, and may flower and fruit abnormally. Fruit infected with CVC are small and hard, and are very high in acid, rendering them unsuitable for eating or juicing.

Figure 9. 

Chlorotic (yellow) spots on upper leaf surface caused by citrus variegated chlorosis (CVC). Photo: R.H. Brlansky, University of Florida

CVC is most serious on sweet orange cultivars, but there is some variation in its severity depending on the cultivar. Lemons, limes, tangerines/mandarins, kumquats, and grapefruit are somewhat less susceptible. Rangpur lime, citron and pummelo are considered resistant to CVC.

Sweet Orange Scab (SOS)

SOS is a fungal disease caused by the fungus Elsinoe australis. A very closely related fungus, Elsinoe fawcetti, already exists in Florida and causes the disease known as citrus scab. Citrus scab is a serious disease on tangerines, tangerine hybrids (e.g., temple), grapefruit, and lemons, but it rarely infects sweet orange. SOS, on the other hand, causes severe damage to sweet oranges, tangerines, and tangerine hybrids. Presently, SOS occurs in the humid, citrus-producing areas of South America, in countries such as Argentina, Brazil, and Ecuador, but to date it has not been detected outside South America.

Unlike citrus scab, SOS does not develop on leaves or stems. SOS causes corky, wart-like lesions on fruit that are tan to grey colored (Figs. 10-11). The SOS fungus only attacks young fruit, which are susceptible only for 6-8 weeks after bloom. The fungus requires moisture to spread, and so will be most severe if rain or high humidity exists during and shortly after bloom.

Figure 10. 

Sweet orange scab lesions on young fruit. Photo: L .W. Timmer, University of Florida

Figure 11. 

Sweet orange scab lesions on mature (ripe) fruit. Photo: L.W. Timmer, University of Florida

What Can Homeowners Do?

All of the diseases discussed in this paper have one thing in common: their introduction to Florida will require human involvement. None of the natural means of spread for these diseases is capable of moving them from their current locations to Florida. Preventing them from entering Florida is far easier and less expensive than trying to control or eradicate them once they are here. To this end, it is critical that citrus fruit and plant material not be brought into Florida illegally.

If one of these diseases should make its way to Florida, early detection of it will be very important to prevent it from spreading. Homeowners can assist in early detection by being aware of the diseases and their symptoms, and carefully observing anything unusual on their dooryard trees, and requesting the assistance of an Extension Agent as needed.

Citrus is a vital part of Florida's economy and is a major component of the landscape. Protecting this resource should be a goal of all of Florida's citizens.

Selected References

Aguilar, E., W. Villalobos, L. Moreira, C.M. Rodriguez, E.W. Kitajima, and C. Rivera. 2005. First report of Xylella fastidiosa infecting citrus in Costa Rica. Plant Disease 89:687.

Additional Information

Chung, K.-R., and R.H. Brlansky. 2005. Citrus diseases exotic to Florida: Citrus variegated chlorosis (CVC). Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/PP137.

Chung, K.-R., and R.H. Brlansky. 2006. Citrus diseases exotic to Florida: Citrus leprosis. Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/PP148.

Chung, K.-R., and R.H. Brlansky. 2006. Citrus diseases exotic to Florida: Citrus tristeza virus-stem pitting (CTV-SP). Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/PP149.

Chung, K.-R., N.A. Peres, and L.W. Timmer. 2005. Citrus diseases exotic to Florida: Black spot. Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/PP135.

Chung, K.-R., and L.W. Timmer. 2005. Citrus diseases exotic to Florida: Sweet orange scab (SOS). Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/PP147.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Millie Ferrer-Chancy, Interim Dean.

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