Read about the latest advances with CRISPR gene editing in citrus in the race to stop citrus greening and renew the Florida citrus industry.
Citrus greening, or HLB, has reduced citrus production by more than 90% in Florida, and it is spreading to other citrus-growing states. Solutions and cures are being investigated through multiple avenues, and one—CRISPR gene editing in citrus—just got one step closer, according to a Citrus Industry article. See the details below.
History of CRISPR Gene Editing in Citrus
The article shared this background information about using gene editing with CRISPR to combat citrus greening: “Nian Wang, J.R. (Rip) Graves eminent scholar endowed chair with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), saw the potential of CRISPR to help Florida citrus growers in the fight against HLB. Could the technology be used to create a citrus tree resistant to the disease?
He began his research on CRISPR genome editing in 2013, making his laboratory the first to gene-edit citrus in the world. Thus began the journey for the microbiologist to develop a gene-edited tree capable of resisting the disease that has reduced citrus production by more than 90% in Florida.
Since his research began, Wang has generated more than 200 citrus lines with 40 targeted genes aiming to improve HLB tolerance or resistance.”
Research Update for Citrus CRISPR Gene Editing
According to the article, some of the “most promising” citrus plants Wang created are currently moving into evaluation in grove trials for CRISPR gene editing in citrus. The group that are furthest along in the process are CRISPR gene-edited sweet oranges. Then article shared the following updates:
“The plants furthest along are in group one of CRISPR gene-edited sweet oranges. They are Valencia Super UFW1 and Hamlin Super UFW3 (temporary names for genome-edited lines of the Eds1 gene). There are more than five lines/varieties with both plant types.
“These plants were inoculated with the HLB bacteria in May in the greenhouse through psyllid transmission. We should get the data related to tolerance/resistance before the end of 2025,” Wang says. “The plants need to grow bigger before we can conduct field trials. Field trials are important for us to have a good understanding about their performance against HLB and other horticultural traits. But our previous studies suggest Valencia Super UFW1 and Hamlin Super UFW3 are likely tolerant to HLB without obvious HLB symptoms when infected.”
All these plants must go through regulatory approval before being released to growers for commercial planting. The good news from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is that both plants are considered non-GMO and are therefore not regulated.”
Griffin Fertilizer is committed to helping both growers and ranchers make sound agronomic and economic decisions in order to maximize the health of their grove and pasture. As a full-service custom dry & liquid fertilizer blender and crop protection product distributor, we will continue our mission to further advance Florida agriculture. For questions -or concerns about your farm or pasture, contact us and one of our team will be in touch.