Trunk injection-based evaluation of novel anti-CLas chemistries and OTC combinations for Florida citrus and HLB disease management

Trunk injection-based evaluation of novel anti-CLas chemistries and OTC combinations for Florida citrus and HLB disease management

Report Date: 08/09/2024
Project: 23-018   Year: 2024
Category: CLas Bacteria
Author: Kranthi Mandadi
Sponsor: Citrus Research and Development Foundation

1. Please state project objectives and what work was done this quarter to address them: This is a first year, third quarter report. The goal is to evaluate new anti-CLas compounds in Florida singly and in combination with OTC to determine their effects on HLB tree health, yield, and injury. The study objectives are: Objective 1: Pre-screening and quality control (purity, solubility, and bioactivity) of selected anti-CLas leads. (Initiated). Objective 2: Multi-year field evaluation of new chemicals, OTC, and combinations by trunk injections. (Initiated).  Based on CLas-citrus hairy root effiacy assays (Irigoyen et al., 2020), we shortlisted five new active ingredients for which synthesis and sourcing in sufficient amounts needed for the field trials were completed. All quality control assays (solubility, bioactivity, dose determination) were completed. We aimed to dissolve all compounds in water to avoid using  any other solvents on the trees. Three out of five compounds were fully soluble in water. Two were partially soluble. All the molecules were shipped to Dr. Albrecht lab. Trunk injections were conducted on ~7-year-old HLB-affected sweet orange (Valencia/US-897) trees at the UF/SWFREC, as per the experimental design.   2. Please state what work is anticipated for next quarter: In the next quarter, trees will be monitored for potential unintended injury or toxicity issues. General grove care and management activities will continue. Any changes in horticultural traits will be also monitored.  3. Please state budget status (underspend or overspend, and why): Ontrack with spending.   4. Please show all potential commercialization products resulting from this research, and the status of each: By the end of the study, we anticipate identifying one or more new active ingredients that improve the HLB-affected tree health and fruit yield. The new chemicals could be developed as commercial products singly or combined with OTC for HLB management.   


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