Location: Subtropical Insects and Horticulture Research
Project Number: 6034-21000-020-002-R
Project Type: Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Oct 1, 2022
End Date: Sep 30, 2026
Objective:
The investigation of HLB-affected trees to reduce yield loss. This project will maintain a ten-acre test site where transgenic strategies for controlling HLB and its psyllid vector will be tested in a secure environment in which ideal care is provided for the invaluable research material in full compliance with regulatory requirements. The site will be available to new plantings from researchers and current trials will be continued. Genome edited and non-transgenic citrus with reasonable resistance or high economic tolerance, will also be tested and may provide tolerant or resistant planting material with fewer regulatory constraints. Support will be provided to researchers to plan plantings, meet regulatory requirements and arrange collection of critical data. Services will be provided with no compromise to the research teams' ownership of tested intellectual property and no USDA/ARS expectation of inclusion in the related patents secured when USDA/ARS was not involved in development of the plant materials, expression vectors or other material tested.
Approach:
The Picos Farm of the US Horticultural Research Laboratory in Ft. Pierce, FL is an ideal location to maintain a testing site for HLB-resistant transgenics. The surrounding plantings are being used to test for HLB/psyllid resistance and control and therefore many citrus blocks are not receiving psyllid or ACC control sprays. This site will be available to UF, UC, TAMU, ARS, and other bonafide researchers as space permits. In addition to transgenic trees, some non-transgenic citrus with reasonable probability of resistance, will be tested.
