Since 1955, a Federal Marketing Order has prevented the harvesting of immature fruit and has provided for the industry's setting of standards of quality, grade and size. Limes for shipment to Hawaii and Arizona must be fumigated with methyl bromide because of possible infestation by Caribbean fruit fly. The Tahiti lime requires no curing. The fresh fruits remain in good condition for 6 to 8 weeks under refrigeration. The tree is immune to withertip, moderately susceptible to scab and greasy spot.
Red alga is a major problem, causing bark splitting and dieback of branches.
It can be prevented by regular and thorough spraying with copper or other suitable fungicides. It may develop within 2 hours after picking or several days later. The effect is an expansion and rupturing of juice vesicles and the development of a brown, soft area at the apex of the fruit, occasionally at the base also. Precooling the fruits for 24 hours greatly reduces the incidence of this disease. The Tahiti lime is utilized for making limeade and otherwise for the same purposes as the Mexican lime.