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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Wapato, Washington » Temperate Tree Fruit and Vegetable Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #426540
Research Project: New Technologies and Strategies for Managing Emerging Insect Pests and Insect Transmitted Pathogens of Potatoes

Location: Temperate Tree Fruit and Vegetable Research

Title: Symbiont: New technology for pathogen control

Author
item Cooper, William
item Pitino, Marco
item Thomson, James
item Heck, Michelle

Submitted to: American Journal of Potato Research
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/2025
Publication Date: 10/27/2025
Citation: Cooper, W.R., Pitino, M., Thomson, J.G., Heck, M.L. 2025. Symbiont: New technology for pathogen control. American Journal of Potato Research. 102:534. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-025-10020-y.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-025-10020-y

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The symbiont is a technology referring to a bioengineered plant growth (gall) that USDA-ARS researchers are developing to deliver antimicrobial peptides and other biomolecules directly to the vascular system of non-engineered plants. This delivery mechanism is analogous to an insulin pump. Symbiont was originally developed to combat citrus greening disease caused by Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, which is closely related to Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum, the pathogen that causes zebra chip disease of potato. USDA-ARS researchers use zebra chip disease as a model to rapidly screen various symbiont constructs for pathogen control. This model allows the researchers to identify the most promising symbiont constructs for subsequent testing in citrus. To date, at least three symbiont constructs significantly reduced infection rates and titers of the zebra chip pathogen in greenhouse assays. These three constructs will be evaluated under field conditions in Florida citrus under a permit issued by USDA and EPA. Although the immediate focus of symbiont research is to provide tools to manage citrus greening disease, symbiont can be adapted to prevent infections of other fastidious crop pathogens including phytoplasmas and viruses. Further research and engineering advancements may develop the symbiont concept as a seed or field treatment to prevent zebra chip disease, potato purple top caused by Candidatus Phytoplasma trifolii (aka BLTVA), potato virus Y (PVY), potato leafroll virus, or other important pathogens of potato.