Abstract
Key lime (Citrus aurantiifolia) is an emerging crop in Italy, especially in the Southern regions, where the environmental conditions are suitable for its cultivation. A field survey in Sicily in a commercial orchard of Key lime revealed the widespread presence of water-soaked spots and sunken/dry lesions at the stylar-end, mainly in pre-harvest condition. Water-soaked spots were attributed to Geotrichum citri-aurantii, an agent of sour rot on Citrus spp., whereas the sunken/dry lesion was attributed to the physiological disorder known as stylar-end breakdown. Sour rot and stylar-end breakdown are usually considered post-harvest diseases and rarely found in the field on fruit still attached to the tree. Although Geotrichum citri-aurantii is not responsible for the stylar-end breakdown, its association with this alteration reveals the importance of the environmental conditions and the agronomic practices in diseases/disorders development. In addition, to our knowledge, this is the first report of Geotrichum citri-aurantii on Key lime in Europe.
Highlights
Lime is a hesperidium fruit (Rutaceae) classified in three groups: sweet lime (Citrus limetta), acid lime, including the “Key” lime (C. aurantiifolia), and the Australian finger lime (C. australasica) [1]
Water-soaked spots were attributed to Geotrichum citri-aurantii, an agent of sour rot on Citrus spp., whereas the sunken/dry lesion was attributed to the physiological disorder known as stylar-end breakdown
We cannot affirm any relation of causality between the presence of G. citri-aurantii in fruit affected by stylar-end breakdown (SEB), we can confirm, as previously affirmed [16], that fruit showing SEB symptoms facilitate the development of the sour rot
Summary
Lime is a hesperidium fruit (Rutaceae) classified in three groups: sweet lime (Citrus limetta), acid lime, including the “Key” lime (C. aurantiifolia), and the Australian finger lime (C. australasica) [1]. No less important than pathological decays, post-harvest disorders such as chilling injury, oil spotting (oleocellosis) and stylar-end breakdown (SEB) represent a significant limiting factor of lime quality [5,8]. A survey in a commercial Key lime orchard in Sicily (Italy) cultivated under shade netting revealed an abundant presence of fruit (attached to the trees and harvested as well) showing lesions at the stylar-end. Dry, tan lesions at the stylar-end, sometimes in conjunction with the other symptoms described above. Since Key lime is considered a new and emerging crop in Italy, especially in the Southern regions, it is crucial to identify pathogens and limiting factors for this crop in order to properly manage the cultivation. The aim of this study was to investigate the etiology of the lesions observed in both phases of pre-harvest as well as post-harvest
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