Withertip disease of limes (Citrus aurantifolia) in Zanzibar

SUMMARY Lime leaves (Citrus aurantifolia) of different ages were examined chemically to ascertain the relationship between cuticle development and susceptibility to withertip disease. Marked differences were found in the contents of waxes and cutin between the young susceptible and the older resistant leaves. The rapid rate of deposition of cutin, and the exceptionally high level of deposition attained, indicated that cuticle development was an important factor in the resistance of the older leaves to infection.