Elimination of Citrus Tatter Leaf Virus from Shoots of Potted Citrus Plants by Ribavirin

Abstract

Ribavirin was applied as a foliar spray to the growing shoots of potted citrus plants of several cultivars infected with various sources of citrus tatter leaf virus (CTLV). The buds on the treated shoots were grafted on rough lemon rootstocks top-worked with rusk citrange for indexing immediately after the applications. Six or eight weekly applications of 500ppm ribavirin eliminated all but one source (Kanp-90 in Ponkan mandarin) of CTLV from the buds with high efficiency. Kanp-90 could be eliminated from Ponkan mandarin by application of 500ppm ribavirin in combination with heat treatment. Application of 50ppm of ribavirin did not eliminate any source of CTLV.