@Article{phyton.2025.071555,
AUTHOR = {Mustansar Mubeen, Yasir Iftikhar, Ganesan Vadamalai, Muhammad Aasim, Muhammad Faiq, Uthman Balgith Algopishi, Ahmed Ezzat Ahmed},
TITLE = {Citrus Viroids: A New Frontier in Virus and Virus-Like Pathogens in the Citrus Growing Areas},
JOURNAL = {Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany},
VOLUME = {94},
YEAR = {2025},
NUMBER = {12},
PAGES = {3827--3843},
URL = {http://www.techscience.com/phyton/v94n12/65261},
ISSN = {1851-5657},
ABSTRACT = {Citrus viroids are small non-coding RNA pathogens that pose a significant threat to global citrus production by reducing fruit yield, quality, and tree longevity. Several viroids, including Citrus exocortis viroid (CEVd), Hop stunt viroid (HSVd), Citrus bent leaf viroid (CBLVd), and newly identified members such as Citrus Viroid VI (CVd-VI) and Citrus Viroid VII (CVd-VII) have been reported from diverse citrus-growing regions. These pathogens are transmitted mainly through vegetative propagation, contaminated tools, and occasionally via seed or pollen, making their management complex. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the biology, structural diversity, transmission, symptomatology, detection, and economic impact of citrus viroids. In addition to compiling existing findings, it emphasizes critical challenges such as understanding host–pathogen molecular interactions, the implications of viroid infections under climate change, and the limited availability of resistant rootstocks. Recent advances in diagnostic tools, including Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR), High-throughput sequencing (HTS), and <i>in silico</i> approaches, are evaluated alongside practical constraints in low-resource settings. Furthermore, the review highlights management strategies focused on certified planting material, sanitation, resistant genotypes, and integration into global citrus certification programs. By consolidating existing information while outlining key knowledge gaps and future directions, this work provides a foundation for developing sustainable strategies to mitigate the impact of viroids on the citrus industry.},
DOI = {10.32604/phyton.2025.071555}
}