Grant Information
| Knowledge Area | Subject of Investigation | Field of Science | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 212 - Pathogens and Nematodes Affecting Plants | 920 - Orange | 1060 - Biology (whole systems) | 60% |
| 212 - Pathogens and Nematodes Affecting Plants | 910 - Grapefruit | 1040 - Molecular biology | 40% |
Implementation of chemical control strategies by applying new commerical device to deliver effective chemicals into citrus plants. Evaluation of the control efficacy of the treated citrus plants using PCR-based detection.
This research relates to inhouse project objective: 1. Characterize ecology, biology, epidemiology, molecular genetics, and vector and host (crop and weed) interactions of domestic, exotic, newly emerging, and re- emerging pathogens, and 2. Develop/refine rapid, sensitive reliable detection/sampling methods for pathogens. We have developed methods for sensitive detection of huanglongbing (HLB) bacterium and effective cleaning of HLB-affected budwood and seeds. The new detection method is able to detect extremely low titers of Las bacterium both in citrus seeds and plants that would be missed by the APHIS standard quantitative polymerase chain reactions (qPCR) detection method. We also demonstrated that orange jasmine hedges may be a minor source of HLB inoculum for nearby citrus groves, question the importance of Murraya paniculata as a reservoir of HLB, and revealed resistance to HLB in M. paniculata. While developing a rapid screening method, we have shown a new composition of two antibiotics (streptomycin and penicillin) is effective in eliminating the Las bacterium both in the budwood and plant treatments and in both greenhouse conditions and field trials. In addition, great progress has been made on an alternative treatment method that effectively mitigates or eliminates the disease using simple thermal therapy with optimized parameters. These technologies are being further evaluated and modified in field trials.