There is new hope for Florida’s citrus industry devastated by the citrus greening disease. Researchers in Polk County believe they are very close to developing trees that resist the disease.
- Citrus production in Florida has fallen 70 percent in eight years
- New technology could combat 'greening disease'
- The gene editing technique researchers at UF developed is called CRISPR
Citrus production in Florida has been down about 70 percent over the past eight years. Experts say greening has killed or weakened millions of trees.
Researchers at the University of Florida facility in Lake Alfred are using a gene editing technique called CRISPR to combat the problem. With the technique they remove genes that make the trees susceptible to greening.
“We have applied well over a hundred million dollars in research to find a cure," said Senator Bill Nelson as he toured the research facility Tuesday. "This is one of the promising potential cures."
Citrus grower Mark Wheeler was also part of the tour. He’s hoping for some quick progress.
“We don’t have a silver bullet yet," said Wheeler, "but it’s encouraging to come here to Lake Alfred and see the progress being made.”
If the research goes as expected, greening resistant trees may be ready to plant in commercial groves in a few years.