The Brevipalpus phoenicis and interaction with host plants

• Grant number: 12/11177-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2012
• End date: December 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Plant Health
• Principal Investigator: Valdenice Moreira Novelli
• Grantee: Thamiris Porto Sipriano
• 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 the most import viral disease, especially for the citrus industry in São Paulo state. It is caused Citrus leprosis virus (CiLV), transmitted by the mite vector Brevipalpus phoenicis Geijskes, and characterized by local lesions on leaves, fruits, and branches, causing major damage to citrus growers. The management of the disease is make by vector control, and almost exclusively with the use of acaricides. This mite is polyphagous and colonize hundreds of species of plants, including hedges, windbreaks and weeds in orchards, whereas other non citrus plants be naturally infected by virus. In the management of the disease should consider that the different lesions of the disease in citrus and other plant species, commonly found in orchards, can be ideal places for multiplication of vector. Recently it was shown that in all types of citrus leprosis lesions is possible to find virus particles. However, it is unclear whether there is an effective colonization of the mite in these damaged tissues, and is still necessary to extend the search for alternative hosts virus. The objectives of this project are to highlight the colonization of mites in different types of lesions in symptomatic branches of fruit and citrus, and investigate the presence of the mite and the virus in other possible host plants, commonly found in orchards. The review will be listening for reproduction and establishment of the mite in citrus leprosis lesions and if there is the presence of B. phoenicis and symptoms of viral infection in plants used as hedges and windbreaks, and through molecular diagnosis, it is possible to confirm the presence of virus. Expected to establish the lesion type, in fruit and branches, with greater potential for colonization by mites and the consequent efficiency of this behavior as a source of virus acquisition, and expand the account of the natural host plant virus. These results will be useful to citrus growers to define strategies for disease management in the field, considering the chlorotic and necrotic lesions, for multiplication of vectors, and the risks of keeping certain plants hedges and weeds in the orchards as sources inoculum.(AU)