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Research Project: IPM Methods for Insect Pests of Orchard Crops

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Title: Tree crops: Advances in insects and disease management

Author
item Hunter, Wayne
item SINISTERRA, XIOMARA - Agtech

Submitted to: Meeting Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/11/2012
Publication Date: 7/22/2013
Citation: Hunter, W.B., Sinisterra, X. 2013. Tree crops: Advances in insects and disease management. PALMAS, XVII Conferencia Internacional Sobre Palm De Aceite. 34:119-125.

Interpretive Summary: Advances in next-generation sequencing have enabled genome sequencing to be fast and affordable. Thus, today researchers and industries can address new methods in pest and pathogen management. Biological control of insect pests that occur in large areas, such as forests and farming systems of fruit trees, have been the main element for cost effective pest suppression. Ribonucleic acid interference (RNAi). RNAi can suppress gene expression the target pest while not affecting other insects. RNAi can also reduce viruses and some fungi. These approaches are being developed to reduce pests and pathogens citrus, grapevine, and other fruit crops. RNAi can help reduce losses in palm industries from these pests and pathogens.

Technical Abstract: Advances in next-generation sequencing have enabled genome sequencing to be fast and affordable. Thus today researchers and industries can address new methods in pest and pathogen management. Biological control of insect pests that occur in large areas, such as forests and farming systems of fruit trees, have been the main element for cost effective pest suppression. A proposed system is ‘lethal delivery by male’ in which virus-infected males are released to seek out females, infecting them during mating, and causing mortality. Successfully used since the early 1970’s, against the Rhinoceros Palm beetle, now can include other gene-targeting approaches like Ribonucleic acid interference (RNAi). RNAi can suppress gene expression the target pest, while not affecting other insects. RNAi can also reduce viruses and some fungi. These approaches are being developed to reduce pests and pathogens citrus, grapevine, and other fruit crops. RNAi can help reduce losses in palm industries from these pests and pathogens.