Dr. Gene Albrigo, from the University of Florida, talked during the RIAC/IACNET meeting and symposium about climate effect on citrus. During the talk, Dr. Albrigo showed extensive data about the effect in terms of fall of production in traditional citrus areas, including Brazil.
His researches show that global warming is a real threat, having an harmful effect in various steps of production, since reduced flower bud induction, accelerated maturation of fruit, less quality fruit and reduced yield.
The problem in traditional orange and mandarin production areas may even cause the necessity, in the future, to move citrus growing areas to different sites, where the climate is more suitable.
The fight against insect vectors of plant pathogens
Bryce W. Falk, from the University of California, presented the results of research on RNAi-based strategies to specifically target insect vectors of plant pathogens. Good results have already been obtained, using recombinant plant viruses to express artificial microRNAs. His researches have been successful with 5 viruses of the Asian citrus psyllid, and now their efforts are turning to D. citri.
