Journal of Citrus Pathology

The high health status of Australian citrus germplasm has been maintained largely due to a successful quarantine system and propagation scheme. Most endemic graft transmissible diseases are rarely observed in Australian orchards due to the use of high health status propagation material supplied by Auscitrus. Citrus tristeza virus is present throughout the citrus growing areas although mild strain cross protection has been effectively managing grapefruit stem pitting in white grapefruit varieties for over 40 years. However, diseases like huanglongbing and canker are ever present threats to the biosecurity of the Australian citrus industry. The introduction of mandatory nursery registration and compulsory use of pathogen tested propagation material would provide greater security to the industry in the face of increasing biosecurity threats.