A new report from the University of Florida (UF) indicates that researchers are testing a new type of citrus tree designed to combat the insects responsible for citrus greening.
“We are trying to deploy a biotechnological solution that is sustainable, easy for growers to deploy and replaces the need for spraying insecticides,” said Lukasz Stelinski, an entomology professor at the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center. “That can’t be done completely with the current Bt trees and thus it might require some additional, albeit reduced, insecticide spraying for adults, for example.”
Agriculture is Florida’s second-largest industry, and citrus producers have faced significant challenges due to both economic factors and natural threats, particularly the devastating effects of citrus greening, which destroys oranges and other citrus fruits. Earlier this week, one of the oldest citrus producers in the state announced it was closing due to the impact of citrus greening.
According to UF, the genetically edited citrus tree, which has only been tested in laboratory and greenhouse settings so far, represents one of the most promising discoveries in addressing the challenges faced by Florida’s citrus industry over the past two decades.
This innovative approach involves inserting a gene from a soil-borne bacterium called Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) into the citrus tree. This gene instructs the tree to produce a protein that effectively kills young Asian citrus psyllids, the insects responsible for transmitting the devastating greening disease.
By incorporating this gene, the tree can generate the protein that eliminates the baby psyllids. While this method successfully targets immature pests, researchers at UF/IFAS are making significant progress toward finding a solution for controlling adult psyllids as well.
