A team of researchers at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) has successfully identified the CsDMR6 gene, which impacts a citrus tree’s reaction to the citrus canker pathogen. By editing the CsDMR6 gene in the plant’s DNA to interfere with its normal functioning, the resulting plants develop a strong resistance to citrus canker.
“Gene editing or genome editing is becoming an effective and efficient precision breeding tool for producing new citrus cultivars that can help Florida citrus growers fight against destructive diseases and produce oranges and grapefruits profitably,” said professor and plant breeder Zhanao Deng.
Read the full article on citrusindustry.net.
Photo source: Aphis.usda.gov
