Elimination of Citrus psorosis virus by somatic embryogenesis from stigma and style cultures

Somatic embryogenesis was used to eliminate Citrus psorosis virus (CPsV) fr om three citrus species (common mandarin, sweet orange and Dweet tangor), a ll of which regenerated somatic embryos with different embryogenic potentia l from stigma and style explants. CPsV was detected by double antibody sand wich-indirect-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DASI-ELISA) in explants an d embryogenic callus, but was not detested in any of the. plants obtained f rom somatic embryos, even 24 months after regeneration. Loss of juvenile ch aracters (disappearance of thorns) was observed in the first year of growth and was retained in plants propagated by grafting from thornless stems. So matic embryogenesis appears to be a very promising technique for the produc tion of healthy citrus stocks.