About five years ago, Jin discovered the gene in finger limes that makes it tolerant to the disease. It produces a peptide, a natural antibiotic that kills the bacterium responsible for citrus greening. She's now developed a way to produce it in the lab. When it's injected into trees or sprayed on leaves, the peptide has a dramatic impact. Jin says,"The bacteria titer is largely reduced. And the symptoms, the disease symptom is also largely reduced.
UC Riverside has partnered with a biotech company, Invaio Sciences to market the antimicrobial compound. Jin is hoping to start field trials soon in Florida orange groves and eventually get approval from federal regulators. Steven Callaham, the head of Dundee Citrus Growers says what he's seen so far is encouraging."It still could be several years out before that particular solution could be commercialized," he says,"but it's very, very promising research.
In the battle against citrus greening, growers and researchers have been developing new orange varieties, new root stocks, and techniques like putting orchards in screened enclosures. Michael Rogers, the director of the University of Florida's Citrus Research and Education Center, says all that work is paying off. After years of declines, Florida's citrus production is stabilizing.
Rogers says,"When this disease first popped up in Florida, we said, 'Okay, the industry has about 10 years and it's going to be gone if we don't have solutions.' And it's not gone, but it's because we have found ways to live with citrus greening." Rogers says the naturally-occurring compound from the Australian finger lime is one of dozens of peptides currently being investigated. Other promising research he says involves gene editing—removing the genes from orange trees that make them susceptible to the disease.
Don’t fuck it up like all those other fruits& veggies.
Finger limes are sooo delicious 😍😍😍
FrasierSein Fine, but keep their exotic creatures down there!
These aren’t new.
Uuuuuuggghhhhhh.....WHAT. .THE... F🤫🙀😱 ARE THOSE....🥺DAM COVID GOT TO THE PICKLES🤔🤔🤔
There are a lot of Australian fruits, it would seem, with untapped potential
so maybe let's focus on native to Florida plants?
I've never heard of this fruit before, and now I'm not going to be happy until I track one down.
eternal life Jesus npr might forget to ment ....
😲
capitialism demand products show up