Current Situation of Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) in Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) is the most important viral disease of Citrus spp. and has a worldwide distribution.
Results of ELISA and PCR showed that all Citrus varieties including Fortunella sp., Citrofortunella microcarpa and
Citromelo in major citrus growing areas of Malaysia had a high infection rate with CTV. In most areas, pomelo
however was free of infection, but in Cameron Highlands, we found some strains of CTV that were severe to
Citromelo and pomelo. Phylogeny studies revealed that these strains were similar to CTV isolates from China and
Japan and were very different from CTV isolates from USA and New Zealand