Resistance of citrus to Xanthomonas campestris pv. citri
Scientists from the fruit laboratory of the USDA in Beltsville have carried out studies to investigate if the lipid composition of citrus leaves might be responsible for the resistance of certain citrus cultivars to Xanthomonas campestris pv. citri (EPPO Al organism).
According to their investigations significant differences occurred in the lipid composition of resistant and susceptible citrus cultivars. Leaves from resistant plants had less phospholipids, but more free sterols as well as a higher ratio of free sterols to total phospholipids than those from susceptible plants.
The authors assume that the differences in lipid metabolism may contribute to differences in the resistance of citrus leaves to X. c. pv. citri.
Sources
Jiao, H.J.; Wang, S.Y.; Civerolo, E.L. (1992) Lipid composition of citrus leaves from plants resistant and susceptible to citrus bacterial canker.
Journal of Phytopathology 135, 48-56