Study of interactions: Brevipalpus phoenicis - citrus leprosis virus and symbionts

• Grant number: 12/07052-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2012
• End date: December 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Plant Health
• Principal Investigator: Valdenice Moreira Novelli
• Grantee: Alex Junior Soares
• Host Institution: Instituto Agronômico (IAC). Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios (APTA). Secretaria de Agricultura e Abastecimento (São Paulo - Estado). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Citrus leprosis is one of the most important viral diseases in Brazilian citrus due to the high cost of acaricides for vector control. This disease is caused by Citrus leprosis virus (CiLV), transmitted by Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes) (Acari: Tenuipalpidae), and characterized by local symptoms on leaves, stems and fruit. Depending on the level of infection can cause severe defoliation in the plant, premature fruit drop, reduced life of the plant and, in rare cases, death. Recent years have been a significant increase in knowledge of the pathosystem, especially in relation to the virus, which had its genome sequenced. However, little is known about the biology of the mite and interactions symbiont-CiLV-mites. In this work, the objectives are to assess whether the virus interferes with the biological parameters of the mite; estimate at which stage there is greater biological vector transmission efficiency, considering the presence of symbionts (Cardinium) evaluate the efficiency of virus acquisition by B. phoenicis, and quantify (or estimation) of the symbiont concentration at all stages of life of the mite. With the results, expected to expand the information on biological mite and interactions in the pathosystem, which may be useful to propose new alternatives and strategies for managing and controlling the disease. (AU)