20257002944030

Citrus HLB is the most devastating citrus disease.

We aim to expedite the release of non-transgenic HLB-resistant/tolerant citrus varieties through a multi-tiered decision-making approach including:

1) Assessment of genome-edited citrus plants previously generated by a transgenic approach for HLB resistance/tolerance, fruit quality and yield, and other horticultural traits.

2) Accelerate screening and evaluating of target genes for non-transgenic genome editing using Candidatus Liberibacter psyllaurous (synonym C.L. solanacearum)-tomato as a surrogate by evaluating approximately 100 tomato mutants related to immune response and cell death that were previously generated.

3) Generation of non-transgenic genome-edited citrus varieties for HLB susceptibility genes using our newly developed co-editing technology via mature tissue transformation to bypass juvenility.

4) Evaluation of non-transgenic genome-edited citrus varieties for HLB resistance/tolerance, fruit quality and yield, and other horticultural traits.

5) Delivery of non-transgenic genome-edited citrus varieties via extension and outreach approaches, regulatory approvals, registration, and release.

University Of Florida

NOT APPLICABLE

10.309 - Specialty Crop Research Initiative

Institute of Food Production and Sustainability (IFPS) [USDA - NIFA]

Gainesville, Florida 32611-1941 United States

Single Zip Code

USDA-NIFA-SCRI-010753