Pathogen resistant citrus compositions, organisms, systems, and methods

Abstract

The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to pathogen resistant citrus compositions, organisms, systems, and methods. For example, a composition may comprise a peptide (e.g., a defensin peptide) and / or a nucleic acid (e.g., a defensin nucleic acid). A pathogen resistant citrus plant may comprise, in some embodiments, a defensin peptide and / or an expressable nucleic acid encoding a defensin peptide.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61 / 591,680, filed on Jan. 27, 2012 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61 / 641,641, filed on May 2, 2012, both of which applications are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE[0002]The present disclosure relates, in some embodiments, to pathogen resistant citrus compositions, organisms, systems, and methods.BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE[0003]At present, there are no Citrus cultivars resistant to bacterial canker (Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri) (Xac), and / or citrus Huanglongbing (ex greening) caused by Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (Las). Indeed, no genetic resistance to these microbial pathogens has ever been found within the Citrus genus. Conventional cross-breeding efforts to produce resistant cultivars have been hindered by the complex reproductive biology and long life cycle of Citrus spp.SUMMARY[0004]Accordingly, a need has arisen for p...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text discusses the need for plants (such as citrus) that are resistant to disease. The text describes a nucleic acid that can be used to create plants with improved resistance to disease. The patent also describes an expression vector that can be used to introduce this nucleic acid into plants. The use of this nucleic acid and expression vector can help create plants that are more resistant to disease.

Problems solved by technology

Indeed, no genetic resistance to these microbial pathogens has ever been found within the Citrus genus.

Conventional cross-breeding efforts to produce resistant cultivars have been hindered by the complex reproductive biology and long life cycle of Citrus spp.

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