CAPILLARY ELECTROPHORESIS-SINGLE STRAND CONFORMATION POLYMORPHISM ANALYSIS AND MULTIPLE MOLECULAR MARKER GENOTYPING ALLOW A RAPID DIFFERENTIATION OF CITRUS TRISTEZA VIRUS ISOLATES

According to recent studies, characterization of Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) isolates by molecular technologies is a prerequisite for developing a rational control strategy based on eradication or preimmunization (cross-protection). In this work we used the recently developed capillary electrophoresis-single strand conformation polymorphism (CE-SSCP) method and the multiple molecular markers (MMM) analysis to evaluate a number of CTV isolates collected in different locations of Sicily. The screening, performed after a preliminary testing on indicator plants, led to the differentiation of three main CTV sub-groups or clusters: (i) severe isolates widespread in the area, (ii) mild isolates, and (iii) mixed isolates including both severe and mild CTV variants.