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Florida Researchers Develop Greening-Resistant Citrus Trees

Leon County Judge John Cooper on June 30, 2022, in a screen grab from The Florida Channel.
Frank Tellez via Flickr
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The Florida Channel
Leon County Judge John Cooper on June 30, 2022, in a screen grab from The Florida Channel.

University of Florida researchers say they have developed genetically modified citrus trees that are resistant to greening. It is a significant step against the disease that has devastated Florida's $11 billion citrus industry and is among the worst to hit a US crop. Researchers developed the trees using a plant gene from the mustard family.

But Jack Payne of the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences says the trees still face a regulatory process that will delay their availability by several years.

"I hesitate to use the word, cure, but this is a giant step forward", Payne said.

Greening is spread by a tiny insect called a psyllid. The disease starves trees of nutrients, rendering their fruit unsuitable for sale. Most infected trees eventually die.

Researchers say the trees also show resistance to canker and black spot.

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Amy Green