Investigation of Tthe survival times of Citlodavirus citri (CCDaV) and Potexvirus citriflavivenae (CYVCV) agents on Nitrocellulose and coarse filter papers and their potential usability as control materials

This study investigated the presence of Citlodavirus citri (CCDaV), a DNA virus, and Potexvirus citriflavivenae (CYVCV), an RNA virus, in citrus plants using nitrocellulose and coarse filter papers over a five-week period, with sampling at 7., 14., 21., 28., and 35. days. To determine the duration for which the viruses remain detectable on the filter papers, various techniques were employed to transfer the pathogens onto the filter papers. Additionally, virus-positive samples preserved on the filter papers were mechanically inoculated into indicator citrus plants to evaluate the viability of the viruses. PCR analysis revealed that 75 µl TNA samples prepared with CTAB from the CCDaV agent tested positive on nitrocellulose and coarse filter papers for up to 35 days. Samples obtained by direct paper contact with plant material yielded positive results for 21 days on both types of filter paper, while samples obtained by transferring plant sap tested positive for 21 days on coarse filter paper and 35 days on nitrocellulose filter paper. Mechanical inoculation demonstrated that the CCDaV agent from samples collected on days 7., 14. and 21. caused infection in citrus plants. However, samples from days 28 and 35 did not cause infection, yielding negative results. Over the same 35-day period, RT-PCR analysis showed that 75 µl TNA samples prepared with CTAB from the CYVCV agent tested positive on nitrocellulose and coarse filter papers. Samples obtained by direct paper contact with plant material remained positive for 35 days on nitrocellulose filter paper but tested negative on coarse filter paper. Similarly, samples prepared by transferring plant sap to papers yielded negative results on both filter paper types. Mechanical inoculation revealed that the CYVCV agent did not infect plants in any of the filter paper samples tested.