Citrus Greening Disease: A Threat to American Citrus and a Potential Solution from Finger Limes
Background
Citrus greening disease, also known as huanglongbing (HLB), is a devastating disease that has plagued the citrus industry in America for over a decade. Caused by a bacteria spread by the Asian citrus psyllid, citrus greening causes fruit to turn bitter and green and eventually kills the tree.
The Impact of Citrus Greening
In Florida, citrus greening has caused a severe drop in orange production, from about 300 million boxes produced in 2000 to only about 70 million boxes last year. The disease has also spread to Texas and California, posing a significant threat to the citrus industry in these states.
Current Control Methods
Current methods for controlling citrus greening include removing infected trees, spraying pesticides to kill the Asian citrus psyllid, and using antibiotics to fight the bacteria directly. However, these methods have limitations, such as the toxicity of pesticides to bees and the development of resistance to antibiotics.
A Potential Solution from Finger Limes
Researchers at the University of California, Riverside have identified a potential new weapon in the fight against citrus greening: finger limes, an unusual citrus fruit that grows in Australia’s rainforests. Finger limes are immune to citrus greening, and researchers have isolated the gene responsible for this resistance.
The Finger Lime Protein
The gene discovery led to the development of a natural protein that can fight citrus greening. This protein has several advantages over existing control methods:
- Effectiveness: The protein has been shown to kill the citrus greening bacteria in controlled settings.
- Safety: The protein is non-toxic to humans and bees.
- Resilience: The protein remains effective at high temperatures and is easy to manufacture.
Field Trials and Commercialization
UC Riverside has partnered with the biotechnology company Invaio Sciences to market and produce the citrus greening-fighting protein. Field trials are currently underway, and researchers are optimistic about the potential of this new treatment.
Hope for the Future
If the finger lime protein proves successful in field trials and receives government approval, it could provide a much-needed solution to the citrus greening problem. It would help protect the American citrus industry and ensure the continued availability of fresh, high-quality citrus fruits.
Additional Information
- The genetic basis of finger lime resistance to citrus greening disease: Researchers have identified a specific gene in finger limes that is responsible for their immunity to citrus greening.
- Novel protein from finger limes shows promise in fighting citrus greening: The protein derived from finger limes has been shown to effectively kill the citrus greening bacteria in laboratory and greenhouse settings.
- Researchers identify gene responsible for immunity to citrus greening in Australian finger limes: The discovery of the resistance gene in finger limes has opened up new avenues for developing control methods for citrus greening.
- Finger lime protein offers new hope for combating citrus greening in American citrus groves: The finger lime protein has the potential to revolutionize the fight against citrus greening and protect the American citrus industry.
- Biotechnology company partners with UC Riverside to produce and market citrus greening-fighting protein derived from finger limes: The partnership between UC Riverside and Invaio Sciences will accelerate the development and commercialization of the finger lime protein as a treatment for citrus greening.