Of the citrus diseases occurring in Surinam, fungal, bacterial, viral and those caused by nematodes, tristeza is most important. Trials to identify the best rootstocks to replace the tristeza-susceptible sour orange found Rangpur lime budded with nucellar Alidjan orange best on heavy clay soils. Sunki and King (tangors) are good rootstocks for grapefruit varieties. Research showed tristeza virus transmission by the aphid vector Toxoptera citricidus to be bi-modal (non-persistent and semi-persistent) in Surinam, with the latter more common

The tristeza virus and its vector Toxoptera citricidus are present in Guyana, as well as the susceptible rootstock sour orange. Indexing was carried out between 1964 and 1974 and interest was revived in 1982 but this has yet to be resumed

The major banana pests and diseases influenced by poor field management are highlighted. Control of leaf spot (Sigatoka) benefits from a plant density from 1550 to 2100 mats/ha, weed control and detrashing and adequate surface drainage. Nematodes, borers (cosmopolites sordidus), thrips and mosaic virus are reduced by weed control, trash removal and sleeving

Describes the phytosanitary measures in force and those that are planned. These include provision of virus-free registered mother trees to nurseries, registration of citrus nurseries, regulation of seed and imports, and inspection of farms and nurseries

Martinique is in the favourable position of being free of tristeza and its vector Toxoptera citricidus, mal secco, greening, citrus canker or blight. The Fruit Research Station with equipment for virus indexing and strict sanitary inspection at the customs makes it an ideal location for a regional germplasm bank and for multiplication of vegetative material

Indexing, the ELISA test, Spiroplasma citri culturing, nucellar selection and shoot tip grafting are procedures used in Corsica to maintain virus-free budwood. Corsica has managed to remain free of the major diseases of citrus: Tristeza, Phoma tracheiphila (mal secco), Spiroplasma citri (stubborn) greening and Xanthomonas citri (citrus canker)