Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
G022 MCCARTY HALL
GAINESVILLE,FL 32611
Performing Department
CITRUS RESEARCH & EDUCATION CENTER, LAKE ALFRED
Non Technical Summary
The exotic disease, citrus canker, periodically invades U.S. citrus and threatens to disrupt production and marketing of this important fruit crop. Laboratory, greenhouse and field research objectives are proposed to better understand the biology and spread of the disease and to develop practical and effective suppression tools to limit its impact on the U.S.
Animal Health Component
40%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
30%
Applied
40%
Developmental
30%
Goals / Objectives
1. Characterize disease spread; 2. Detection and characterization of Xac strains; 3. Bacterial survival and disinfection of plant and non-plant surfaces; 4. Survey and detection of canker by remote sensing; 5. Improved chemical control; 6. Genetic improvement of citrus; 7. Development of delivery of canker education to diverse audiences.
Project Methods
Quarantine, laboratory, greenhouse and field research will be conducted across an array of specific experiments, and the location of the research will be dependent upon the needs and the ability to work under existing quarantine regulations and access to canker organisms. Biology and epidemiology experiments will be established in quarantine facilities where the Asian strain of Xanthomonas is permitted for growth in artificial media or on plant material. Limited epidemiological and suppression experimentation will be conducted within the mobile containment laboratory occupied by UF, IFAS and USDA, ARS scientists within the containment area of infection in Southeastern Florida. Conventional laboratory and greenhouse facilities will be used to conduct relevant experiments on surrogate Xanthomonas strains which are non-pathogenic to citrus and thus exempt from the severe regulations associated with the pathogenic strains. Field research in Florida and the U.S. will be
restricted to observational studies within the infected and regulated regions, and to a lesser extent, applied field experimentation on naturally infected trees. Development of methods for early detection and tracking of canker infections can likewise be accomplished under Florida field conditions. Research being conducted with other funding is evaluating citrus canker suppression or infection prevention under field conditions in natural field infection conditions in Southeastern Brazil, with on-site collaborators. This field program allows full-scale evaluation of materials that have advanced through preliminary trials and need to be tested under field pressure. Finally, studies relating to genetic mechanisms of resistance to citrus canker will involve lab, greenhouse, and field experimentation in conjunction with a well-established plant improvement program conducted by University of Florida and USDA, ARS researchers. Additional research details are provided within the discussion of
ongoing research below, and more specific details of individual research projects will be provided in the IFAS solicitation and evaluation of specific sub-projects under this program. Educational activities will be developed in concert with the University of Florida, IFAS Extension Program, which has physical presence of faculty in all 67 of Florida's counties. These agents, specialists, and directors will team with the research community to evaluate the needs for publicizing research results, developing public education tools to assist in general understanding of canker as an invasive exotic disease and the need-for sanitation, containment and eradication. Florida Agricultural Extension State Major Programs (FL-108 Citrus Management, for example) will provide the focal point for these planning, developmental and delivery efforts. The IFAS External Relations organization also will lend assistance to planning efforts to reach important audiences with timely and science-based
information. Advisory organizations that interface between IFAS and client groups will be engaged in needs assessment and development of appropriate delivery plans.