The present disclosure embraces nucleic acid molecules found in the genome of the Citrus Leprosis Virus (CiLV), which is associated to Citrus Leprosis (CiL) disease. The cloned CiLV nucleic acid molecules can be used as probes or can be used to design oligonucleotide primers for detecting CiLV in biological samples, particularly leaves, roots and other tissues or organs of plants, such as plants from the genera Citrus and Poncirus. The cloned CiLV nucleic acid molecules are expressed in cells to provide immunogenic proteins for raising antibodies against CiLV, which can then be used to detect CiLV in biological samples. It also comprises the nucleic acid molecules represented in SEQ ID Nos. 5 and 8, in whole or part, as well as transgenic plants, such as monocots and dicots, containing the CiLV nucleic acid molecules, in any kind of combination, so that expression increases resistance to CiL disease.
