Researchers at the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) are advancing in the development of a genetically edited citrus tree, aimed at addressing the challenges posed by citrus greening. This disease, transmitted by the Asian citrus psyllid, has significantly affected Florida's citrus production, an essential agricultural sector for the state. The genetically modified trees, currently under evaluation in university labs and greenhouses, are designed to produce a protein lethal to the psyllid larvae, potentially offering a new avenue to control this pest.
The introduction of a specific gene into the citrus trees equips them with the ability to generate this protective protein. Although this strategy has shown promise against the larvae, researchers are still working on solutions to manage adult psyllids effectively. The ultimate goal is to provide a sustainable, biotechnological alternative to conventional insecticide treatments, which may still be necessary but to a lesser extent, according to Lukasz Stelinski, an entomology professor at the UF Citrus Research and Education Center.
First identified in Florida two decades ago, citrus greening, or Huanglongbing (HLB), has posed a significant challenge to the state's citrus growers, with few effective treatments available since its emergence in 2005. Supported by funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), UF researchers are hopeful that field tests of the genetically edited trees will commence within the next year, marking a critical step towards a potential solution for citrus greening.
Source: Florida Politics