Viruses present significant challenges in papaya production worldwide, with over ten strains identified, notably impacting crop yields and quality. The Papaya ringspot virus (PRSV), Papaya leaf distortion mosaic virus (PLDMV), Papaya lethal yellowing virus (PLYV), Papaya mosaic virus (PapMV), and Papaya Meleira Virus (PMeV) are particularly destructive, with PMeV potentially affecting up to 100% of plants without proper phytosanitary measures.
Papaya Sticky Disease (PSD), caused by PMeV and PMeV2, leads to commercial losses due to its detrimental effects on fruit texture and flavor, limiting export potential. First identified in Brazil in the 1980s, PSD has since been reported in Mexico, Australia, and Ecuador. The disease is characterized by fluid and latex exudation from fruits and leaves, causing necrotic lesions and a sticky fruit surface.
Gene editing, specifically CRISPR-Cas9 technology, offers hope for combating PSD in papaya. The Federal University of Espírito Santo's Laboratory of Biotechnology Applied to Agribusiness, in collaboration with Incaper, is at the forefront of developing PMeV-resistant C. papaya. While the timeline for market release remains uncertain, CRISPR-Cas9 promises a faster, more economical solution compared to traditional breeding methods.
Source: geneticliteracyproject.org