Somatic Embryogenesis from Style Culture as a Possible Means for Virus Elimination in Citrus

Somatic embryos were obtained from stylar tissues of three lemon plants, one of cv Lunario, one of Femminello Zagara Bianca, and one of Femminello Santa Teresa. These plants, as shown by visual observations and indexing on woody indicators, were affected by exocortis and tw o or more virtis-like diseases such as psorosis, concave gum, impietratura and cristacortis. Two of the sources contained also mechanically transmissible viruses. Twelve 18-month-old plantlets originating from style culture- derived somatic embryos, four from each source, consistently gave negative reactions when assayed by grafting, mechanical inoculation, and serologically for the presence of viruses, virus-like agents and viroids. It was concluded that, similar to other woody species (e.g. grapevine), somatic embryogenesis opens new possibilities for the sanitary improvement of Citrus