Relationship of Viroids to Macrophylla Decline

Abstract

A physiological characterization has established that vascular changes in Macrophylla decline affected trees are not similar in character to xyloporosis affected trees. In addition, a survey of Macrophylla decline affected citrus did not establish any genetic similarity between Macrophylla decline and xyloporosis. We report diagnosis of either CCV or CEV by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), as well as diagnosis of Macrophylla decline or xyloporosis by Zn-distribution, water conductivity, accumulation of decline- specific proteins and examination of phloem morphology in lemon trees on the Macrophylla rootstock.