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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Hilo, Hawaii » Daniel K. Inouye U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center » Tropical Plant Genetic Resources and Disease Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #306854
Title: Protection and coexistence of conventional papaya productions with PRSV resistant transgenic papaya

Author
item Matsumoto Brower, Tracie
item Suzuki, Jon
item Hollingsworth, Robert
item Keith, Lisa
item TRIPATHI, SAVARNI - Indian Agricultural Research Institute

Submitted to: Acta Horticulturae
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/6/2015
Publication Date: 2/29/2016
Citation: Matsumoto Brower, T.K., Suzuki, J.Y., Hollingsworth, R.G., Keith, L.M., Tripathi, S. 2016. Protection and coexistence of conventional papaya productions with PRSV resistant transgenic papaya. Acta Horticulturae. 1111:49-54.

Interpretive Summary: In experimental field plots, the genetically modified papaya ‘SunUp’ and ‘Rainbow’ which is resistant to Papaya Ringspot Virus was planted around fields of non-genetically modified papaya. Although both the virus and insect that spreads the virus was found in the field the non-transgenic papaya plants did not show symptoms or test positive for the Papaya Ringspot Virus disease. Currently, we are determining if the genetically modified papaya plants can protect non-genetically modified from the Papaya Ringspot Virus in commercial papaya fields.

Technical Abstract: Papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) is a devastating disease that has a detrimental impact on both commercial papaya production and Caricaceae germplasm conservation. Transgenic line 55-1 and derived progeny ‘SunUp’ and ‘Rainbow’ are resistant to PRSV and have saved the papaya industry in Hawaii. In small scale replicated field plots we were able to protect susceptible Caricaceae germplasm using PRSV resistant transgenic papayas as border planting in the presence of both the aphid vector and infected PRSV plants. Currently we are testing this concept in commercial field sites by combining aphid vector monitoring and early detection of PRSV with the hopes that this may serve as a model for coexistence of conventional and genetically modified crops.