• The lime tree can suffer from a wide range of diseases.zitrone 4 image by Tino Hemmann from Fotolia.com
  
  The Persian lime tree, valued for its thick skinned limes and quick growth, can become plagued with disease. Citrus trees are the common target of mites because of the succulent fruit which they produce. The moisture within the fruit makes it very susceptible to rotting and pest infestation. The Persian lime tree shares the same diseases and pests with most other citrus fruits.
  
  

Citrus Red Mite

• The citrus red mite, a pest that lives on the leaves and fruit of the lime tree, causes pale dots to occur where it has fed. The female lays 20 to 30 eggs in her life span at a rate of two to three a day on the plant which she inhabits. As the young hatch, the infestation will grow; severe infestations can cause leaves and branches to die. Large numbers of the citrus red mite can strip the outer layers of the limes, causing the fruit to sunburn. The citrus red mite most commonly attacks trees that are lacking water. According to the University of California, the best way to prevent red mite infestation is with proper irrigation.
  
  

Stylar-End-Rot

• The serious post-harvest disorder stylar-end-rot causes the end of the fruit which was attached to the tree to break down. Caused by harvesting fruit in the morning when the internal pressure of the fruit is too high, the condition mainly affects fruit over 2 ½ inches in length. Stylar-end-rot causes the end of the fruit to turn a soft brown as the juice vessels within the fruit rupture. Refrigerating the fruit directly after harvest will help reduce the chance of stylar-end-rot.
  
  

Spider Mites

• Spider mites feed off of the sap of the lime plant's leaves and fruit. When feeding, the jaws of the mite bruise the area in order to extract sap. This bruising causes limes which they feed on to turn a rusty brown from bruising; however, the fruit inside is not damaged. In severe infestations, spider mites can completely strip a lime tree of its leaves, killing the tree. Spider mites produce a webbing in which they lay their eggs, which leaves a tell-tale silver coating on the leaves of the tree. Proper watering of the plant can help prevent spider mites from attacking a tree.