Navelina ISA 315: A cultivar resistant to citrus variegated chlorosis

Abstract Citrus variegated chlorosis (CVC), caused by Xylella fastidiosa , is a bacterial disease of great importance to the Brazilian citrus industry. CVC is transmitted by grafting and by leafhoppers of the Cicadellidae and Cercopidae families. There is little information about CVC tolerant sweet orange cultivars ( Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck). However, previous studies have indicated some resistance to CVC in the ‘Navelina ISA 315’ cultivar. Based on such information, this study has been carried out to determine the resistance of ‘Navelina ISA 315’ to CVC observing disease symptoms in the field and in the greenhouse, associated with the presence and quantitation of X. fastidiosa in plant tissue by PCR and quantitative real time PCR (qPCR). In agreement with previous information, the results show that ‘Navelina ISA 315’ is resistant to CVC, on the grounds that almost no symptoms and low bacterial concentrations were found.