Author
 |
Fitch, Maureen |
|
Submitted to: Handbook of Transgenic Plants
Publication Type: Book / Chapter Publication Acceptance Date: 3/20/2002 Publication Date: 5/20/2003 Citation: p.437-448. Interpretive Summary: Papaya is an important fruit crop in the tropics and subtropics because of its pleasant flavor, year-round bearing habit, and short growth cycle of 10-12 months from seed to ripe fruit. Market expansion was limited by fruit availability and post-harvest quality, the former condition being most heavily impacted by diseases such as Papaya ringspot virus (PRSV), fungal diseases, and damage from insects and other animals. Genetically engineered virus resistance was used to solve the virus problem. The commercialized Hawaiian transgenic papayas SunUp and Rainbow, immune in the field to Hawaiian PRSV, were produced in collaboration between the University of Hawaii and Cornell University. A scientist from ARS was a graduate student on this project. This review chapter describes experiments done by ARS and other scientists. The experiments were based on the original work and involved genetic engineering solutions to other pest problems and propagation and breeding experiments with the new virus resistant plants. The results are a benefit to farmers who can grow a variety of virus resistant papayas and to consumers who can choose from a wider variety of high quality papayas. Technical Abstract: None |
