Adaptation capacity of populations of the Brevipalpus yothersi Baker (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) of natural vegetations in citrus plants

• Grant number: 17/07488-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2017
• End date: July 31, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Plant Health
• Principal Investigator: Daniel Júnior de Andrade
• Grantee: Samuel Felipe Zampa
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Jaboticabal. Jaboticabal , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Citrus leprosis (Citrus leprosis virus - CiLV) is one of the most serious citrus diseases due to the economic and environmental damage it causes. Under field conditions the virus is vectored by Brevipalpus spp. In commercial citrus orchards in Brazil and Mexico Brevipalpus yothersi Baker is predominant and considered one of the main vector species of citrus leprosis. However, the factors responsible for the predominance of the B. yothersi in citrus orchards are unknown. The objective of this project will be to evaluate the adaptation capacity of populations of the B. yothersi of natural vegetations in citrus plants as well as whether there is an adaptive cost involved in this process. The research will be carried out in natural vegetation and citrus orchards areas located in the municipality of Bebedouro, São Paulo, Brazil and in laboratories of FCAV/UNESP and USP/ESALQ. Initially Brevipalpus spp. mites will be collected in natural vegetation plants and citrus plants to establish isolines in the laboratory. The isolines will be kept for a specific period for multiplication on leaves and fruits in which the mites are collected in the field. The isolines will be kept for a period determined for multiplication on leaves and fruits of the same species of plants in which the mites will be collected. After this period the mites will be identified and in sequence will be carried out experiments to evaluate the capacity and the time of adaptation of B. yothersi collected in plants of the natural vegetation in citrus plants. The possible adaptive cost involved in this process will be evaluated through biology studies and fertility life tables. It is hoped that this research will provide basic information on evolutionary aspects of B. yothersi that help to explain the predominance of this species in commercial citrus orchards, which will consequently help in a more adequate management of citrus leprosis. (AU)