Impact Magazine - Spring 2008 - (Page 13)

Dean Gabriel examines sweet orange trees infected with a strain of citrus greening that is being continuously propagated and maintained at the IFAS plant containment facility in Gainesville. His laboratory is working to isolate and purify enough DNA from this strain to enable sequencing of the bacterial pathogen’s genome. uf/ifas file photo “This work is a result of the observation that a substantial number of citrus trees that exhibit symptoms of greening appear to be negative for greening by the current DNA-based PCR tests,” he said. “Introduction of a new citrus greening strain into Florida in addition to the Asiatic greening strain would not be surprising, since the level of genetic variation within the pathogenic species is unknown, and current tests may be too limited to detect all strains.” Meanwhile, Gabriel said his research on citrus canker is aimed at trying to anticipate new disease variants that may arise in Florida, now that the canker organism has become established and persistent. “When a new bacterium becomes established in an area where it previously did not exist, it has new opportunities to interact with — and combine DNA with — other microbes, sometimes resulting in the emergence of new diseases,” he said. “Anticipating new citrus diseases allows more rapid detection and appropriate regulatory and disease control responses.” industry clients and homeowners through field days, seminars, and electronic and printed materials. “During this period of adjustment to the presence of these diseases in Florida, it is vital that growers and others involved in Florida citrus are apprised of the most current information,” Spann said. The expanded education effort also includes a new monthly e-mail newsletter, “Citrus Industry Update,” to improve communication with the citrus industry about UF research on citrus canker, citrus greening and other issues. The newsletter is available at www.crec.ifas.ufl.edu/publications/ciu/index.htm. Or, go to www.crec.ifas.ufl.edu and click on “Citrus Industry Update.” n – chuck woods For more information, contact: ron brlansky (863) 956-1151 harold browning bill dawson dean gabriel jim graham marjorie hoy pamela roberts michael rogers tim spann phil stansly rhby@crec.ifas.ufl.edu (863) 956-1151 hwbr@crec.ifas.ufl.edu (863) 956-1151 wodtmv@ufl.edu (352) 392-7239 gabriel@biotech.ufl.edu (863) 956-1151 jhg@crec.ifas.ulfl.edu (352) 392-1901 mahoy@ifas.ufl.edu (239) 658-3400 pdr@ufl.edu (863) 956-1151 mrogers@crec.ifas.ufl.edu (863) 956-1151 spann@ufl.edu (239) 658-3400 pstansly@ufl.edu Extension Education In addition to expanded research on citrus canker and greening, the UF Extension Service is providing information on these diseases and their management. Beginning with information available from other citrus growing regions around the world that have experience with greening, UF extension specialists are developing training tools for detection of greening, scouting methods and procedures, and they are providing training to growers, harvesters and fresh fruit packing operations, said Tim Spann, an assistant professor of horticulture at the Lake Alfred center. Information from research on psyllid suppression strategies and other production practices is being delivered to IMPACT | Spring 2008 13 http://www.crec.ifas.ufl.edu/publications/ciu/index.htm http://www.crec.ifas.ufl.edu http://www.crec.ifas.ufl.edu/publications/ciu/index.htm

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Impact Magazine - Spring 2008

Impact Magazine - Spring 2008 Contents A Big Boost for Biofuels Top Priority Partnerships for Sustainable Agriculture Eliminating the Evil Weevil Invasive Pest Defeating Resistant Roaches Biodiesel Boon User-Friendly Updates for FAWN Flat-Out Great for the Grill! Laser Labeling Cashing in on Caviar Saving Water with Soil-Moisture Sensors Spotlight IFAS Development News

Impact Magazine - Spring 2008

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