Brazil is the world leading citrus producer and historically, tristeza is the most serious disease in economic importance. Tristeza is caused by a single strand RNA closterovirus, Citrus Tristeza Virus (CTV), is disseminated in almost all citrus regions of the world. It is transmitted by grafting and by several species of aphids mainly Toxoptera citricida. There are several virus strains, causing variable symptoms in the majority of species and related genera of Citrus. Cross-protection by mild virus strains is an efficient technique for protecting very sensitive scions in Brazil and elsewhere. Methods for detecting and characterizing virus strains are classically based on the reaction symptoms of specific varieties and clones. However, development of serological and molecular methods have allowed progress in the characterization and in monitoring the spread of the disease. Plants may be infected with more than one strain that can undergo genetic recombination, show differential transmissibility by the vector aphids, have composition of the strain complex altered by drastic pruning, temperature, and also segregate among budwoods, or by sub-culture in different clones. Smaller defective RNAs are often associated with normal CTV particles, some correlated with symptoms of seedling yellows. Efficient control is achieved by favorable combinations of scions and rootstocks. They react in predictable interactions dependent on both, the capability to multiply the viruses and to tolerate their presence in phloem tissues. These peculiarities have important implications on practical cultivation and on the genetic improvement of scions and rootstocks. This review discuss also the reaction of grafted and non-grafted plants, and highlights problems, basic concepts and relevant implications for citrus rootstock improvement.
CTV; tolerance; resistance; history; symptoms; citrus