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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Pierce, Florida » U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory » Subtropical Insects and Horticulture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #301261
Title: Summaries of research Sessions: 14.10 host resistance

Author
item Stover, Eddie

Submitted to: International Research Conference on Huanglongbing
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/1/2009
Publication Date: 4/1/2009
Citation: Stover, E.W. 2009. Summaries of research Sessions: 14.10 host resistance. In:Proceedings of the International Research Conference on Huanglongbing. p. 421. December 1-5, 2008. Available: www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/proceedings/irchlb/2008/presentations/IRCHLB.14.3.10.

Interpretive Summary: The proceedings includes a summary of research reports relating to Citrus resistance to the disease huanglongbing (HLB). A number of research organizations are exploring resistance to HLB in existing citrus varieties or citrus relatives and working on biotech strategies that may provide resistance to HLB and other diseases. So far, there appears to be tolerance, but not resistance in citrus and its relatives, with resistance most apparent in types which are not commercially useful. Biotechnology appears to be the only medium term solution for strong resistance to HLB in citrus. The DNA sequence of the HLB bacterium is newly available, which will open up new opportunities for disease management.

Technical Abstract: The proceedings includes a summary of research reports relating to Citrus HLB-resistance. A number of research organizations are exploring resistance to hunaglongbing (HLB) in existing citrus varieties or citrus relatives, identifying transgenes that may provide resistance to HLB and other diseases, testing construct elements to control expression of resistance genes, and producing transgenic citrus with potential resistance. So far, exploration of existing resistance in citrus and relatives appears to reveal tolerance but not resistance, with resistance reported most often in other genera related to citrus. Transgenics appear to be the only medium term solution for strong resistance to HLB in citrus. Current focus is largely on genes which should contribute to broad resistance such as antimicrobial peptides or genes relating to systemic acquired resistance. Too little is currently known about host / pathogen interaction for HLB-specific targets. The DNA sequence of Liberibacter asiaticus is newly available, which will open up new opportunities through identification of genes specific to pathogenicity. Diverse transgenic strategies are being tested and some but not all of them are looking very promising. Several groups are moving ahead fast to produce resistant plants with the best available technology. At the same time, labs are working to identify other genes/promoters etc. which may be more effective and may be more easily accepted by regulators and consumers.