Advances in RNA suppression of the Asian citrus psyllid vector and bacteria (Huanglongbing pathosystem)

Authors: Hunter, Wayne; CLARKE, S.V. - University Of The West Indies; SANDOVAL MOJICA, A.F. - University Of Florida; PARIS, T.M. - Oak Ridge Institute For Science And Education (ORISE); MILES, G. - University Of Florida; METZ, J.L. - University Of Florida; HOLLAND, C.D. - Scentry Biologicals; McCollum, Thomas; QURESHI, J.A. - University Of Florida; TOMICH, J.M. - Kansas State University; BOYLE, M.J. - Smithsonian Marine Station; CANO, L. - University Of Florida; ALTMAN, S. - Yale University; PELZ-STELINSKI, K. - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/2/2020
Publication Date: 5/1/2020
Citation: Hunter, W.B., Clarke, S., Sandoval Mojica, A., Paris, T., Miles, G., Metz, J., Holland, C., McCollum, T.G., Qureshi, J., Tomich, J., Boyle, M., Cano, L., Altman, S., Pelz-Stelinski, K. 2020. Advances in RNA suppression of the Asian citrus psyllid vector and bacteria (Huanglongbing pathosystem). Chpt. 17. 352 pages. In Asian Citrus Psyllid. Biology, Ecology and Management of the Huanglongbing Vector. (eds) Phil Stansly and Jawwad Qureshi. Commonwealth Agricultural Bureau International (CABI Press). p. 258-283.

Interpretive Summary: To address the problems of pathogens and pests in citrus production, many new products have been developed. This review of emerging products for treatments that have been developed to control and manage the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri, and the citrus tree bacterial pathogen, Liberibacter asiaticus, associated with citrus greening disease, huanglongbing. The emerging biotechnologies, Ribonucleic acid interference, RNAi, and antisense oligonucleotides like morpholinos, could provide a new sustainable and environmentally friendly strategy for psyllid population control and a treatment for infected citrus trees to prolong their viability. Treated citrus trees showed efficient movement of these molecules throughout the tree's system suitable to target both the psyllid and the bacterium. These products were patented, and are being further tested to determine the most efficient treatments to protect citrus trees. Support was in part from National Institute of Food and Agriculture, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Citrus Greening award #2015-70016-23028, “Developing an Infrastructure and Product Test Pipeline to Deliver Novel Therapies for Citrus Greening Disease”; NIFA, USDA, award (2016-70016-24782). Targeting microbes to control huanglongbing disease of citrus.

Technical Abstract: A review of the methods that have been developed to control and manage the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri, and the citrus tree bacterial pathogen, Liberibacter asiaticus, associated with citrus greening disease, huanglongbing. The emerging biotechnologies, Ribonucleic acid interference, RNAi, and antisense oligonucleotides like morpholinos, could provide new sustainable and environmentally friendly strategy for psyllid population control and a treatment for infected citrus trees to prolong their viability. Treated citrus trees showed efficient movement of these molecules throughout the tree's system suitable to target both the psyllid and the bacterium. These products were patented, and are being further tested to determine the most efficient treatments to protect citrus trees. Support was in part from National Institute of Food and Agriculture, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Citrus Greening award #2015-70016-23028, “Developing an Infrastructure and Product Test Pipeline to Deliver Novel Therapies for Citrus Greening Disease”; and NIFA, USDA-ARS, award #(2016-70016-24782). Targeting microbes to control huanglongbing disease of citrus.