A citrus viroid previously designated as CV-Ib was graft-transmitted from alimau (Citrus macrophylla) to seedlings of a West Indian avocado (Persea americana). It was found by subsequent graft transmission to have a host range limited to only a few avocado cultivars. Extracts from CV-Ib–infected avocado were infective on Etrog citron and induced a slight leaf kinking and fruit deformation. The possibilities of extending viroid host ranges as a result of heterologous grafting among noncompatible hosts are discussed.
A citrus viroid previously designated as CV-Ib was graft-transmitted from alimau (Citrus macrophylla) to seedlings of a West Indian avocado (Persea americana). It was found by subsequent graft transmission to have a host range limited to only a few avocado cultivars. Extracts from CV-Ib–infected avocado were infective on Etrog citron and induced a slight leaf kinking and fruit deformation. The possibilities of extending viroid host ranges as a result of heterologous grafting among noncompatible hosts are discussed.