Use of serodiagnostic technique (ELISA) for the production of Citrus tristeza virus free plants in Punjab

Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) is most destructive disease in the World. A serodiagnostic facility for its rapid detection has been created for the first time at PAU, Regional Fruit Research Station, Abohar. Of the total 117 indexed citrus trees, 77 were found free from CTV while 40 were positive to CTV in DAS-ELISA. Samples from “Mother Block” of Kinnow mandarin and Jaffa, Mosambi and Blood red Sweet oranges were found totally free from CTV. Of the 33 Kinnow plants selected from commercial groves, for their improvement in fruit yield and quality, 6 were found positive to CTV, indicating the presence of CTV in the commercial grove of the State. The technique is being exploited for the dissemination of virus free citrus bud-wood/saplings. The presence of CTV and surgence of aphid population in the citrus belt is matter of serious concern.