What is Tatter Leaf Virus?
Citrus tatter leaf was first discovered in 1962 in Riverside, CA on a symptomless Meyer lemon tree that was brought over from China. It turns out that while the initial rootstock Meyer lemon was symptomless, when it was inoculated into Troyer citrange and Citrus excelsa, tatter leaf symptoms cropped up. The conclusion was formed that the virus came from China and was imported into the United States and then on to other countries through the exportation and distribution of old bud-lines of C. meyeri.
Citrus Tatter Leaf Symptoms
While the disease is symptomless in Meyer lemons and many other citrus cultivars, it is readily transmitted mechanically, and both trifoliate orange and its hybrids are susceptible to the virus. When these trees are infected, they experience serious bud union decrease and general decline. When symptoms are present, chlorosis of the leaves may be seen along with twig and leaf deformities, stunting, excessive blooming, and premature fruit drop. Infection may also cause a bud-union crease that can be observed if the bark is peeled back as a yellow to brown line at the joining of the scion and stock.
What Causes Citrus Tatter Leaf?
As mentioned, the disease can be transmitted mechanically but more often occurs when infected budwood is grafted onto trifoliate hybrid rootstock. The result is severe strain, which causes a crease at the bud union that can cause the tree to snap off during high winds. Mechanical transmission is through knife wounds and other damage caused by equipment.
Tatter Leaf Virus Control
There are no chemical controls for treating citrus tatter leaf. Long-term heat treatment of infected plants for 90 or more days can eliminate the virus. Control relies on propagation of CTLV free budlines. Do not use Poncirus trifoliata or its hybrids for rootstock. Mechanical transmission can be prevented by sterilizing knife blades and other scarring equipment.
