Oman: New citrus virus identified
Dr Abdullah Mohammed Al Sadi, assistant professor at the College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, and the research team, carried out a study between 2009 and 2011 to assess the spread of virus in different regions of the Sultanate and to segregate the affected citrus species and cultivars.
The study found the virus in various regions from Musandam to Dhofar with its outbreak leading to sudden death of trees, weak growth and low yield.
Studies on the ribonucleic acid (RNA) of the virus from Barka, Sohar, Madha and Dibba showed them belonging to Group Number 4 of the virus, which is considered one of the most deadly strains.
However, the RNA analysis of the two isolates of virus from Suwaiq revealed that they do not belong to any of the seven strains of tristeza virus, but belonged to a new strain reported for the first time in Oman.
Source: timesofoman.com