Syrian citrus growing areas (Lattakia and Tartous) were firstly surveyed to assess citrus tristeza virus and the relative vectors. Eight nurseries, 2 budwood sources fields and 19 groves of the main citrus varieties were visually inspected and tested. A total of 89 CTV-infected plants out of 2653 samples were detected by DTBIA in 2 nurseries (13), 2 budwood sources fields (16) and 6 groves (60). Serological results were confirmed at IAMB. Based on the reactions with 9 MAbs and 2 Pabs, CTV sources were serologically included in 4 serogroups. Only one Valencia CTV-source induced severe symptoms on M. lime (vein clearing, leaf cupping, stunting and stem pitting). A. spiraecola (50%), followed by A. gossypii (27%) were the most common aphids, whereas no evidence of T. citricidus was found.
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This is the first report of CTV in Syria, but apparently, the virus is not spread by the vectors probably due to the presence of less efficient aphis spp.
