Isolated nucleic acid molecules from the genome of citrus leprosis virus and uses thereof

Disclosed are nucleic acids from the Citrus Leprosis Virus (CiLV) genome, associated with Citrus Leprosis (CiL) disease. Cloned CiLV nucleic acids can be used as probes or primers in assays for detecting CiLV in biological samples, particularly leaves, roots and other tissues of plants, such as plants from Citrus and Poncirus . The nucleic acid molecules can be introduced in cloning vectors and cloning the recombinant nucleic acid molecules in cells, such as prokaryotes, and eukaryotes. The cloned CiLV nucleic acids are expressed in cells to provide immunogenic proteins which can be used to raise antibodies against CiLV, which can then be used to detect CiLV virus in biological samples. Also disclosed are SEQ ID Nos. 5 and 8, in whole or part, transgenic plants, such as monocots and dicots, containing CiLV nucleic acids, in any combination, so that expression increases resistance to CiL disease.