Citrus yellow vein clearing virus, a new Mandarivirus associated with the yellow vein clearing disease of citrus
Yellow vein clearing disease was first observed in Pakistan in 1988 in lemon (Citrus limon) and sour orange trees (C. aurantium). On lemons, symptoms included strong yellow vein clearing, leaf distortion, and occasionally, ringspots and veinal necrosis. The presence of a filamentous virus was consistently observed in symptomatic plants but the identity of the virus remained unknown. In 1997, the disease was observed in several citrus-growing areas of India on different citrus species (Etrog citron (C. medica var ‘Etrog’), Rangpur lime (C. x limonia), sour orange, lemon). Recent reports indicate a rapid spread of the disease in Pakistan and its presence in other countries. In 2000, yellow vein clearing disease was reported from Turkey in lemon and sour orange trees, and in 2009 it was also found in lemon trees in Yunnan, China. Serological, molecular and biological studies now suggest that this disease is caused by a new virus species, belonging to the genus Mandarivirus, for which the name Citrus yellow vein clearing virus is proposed.
Sources
Loconsole G, önelge N, Portere O, Giampetruzzi A, Bozan O, Satar S, De Stradis A, Savino V, Yokomi RK, Saponari M (2012) Identification and characterization of Citrus yellow vein clearing virus, a putative new member of the genus Mandarivirus. Phytopathology 102(12), 1168-1175.