China discovers natural shield against citrus greening disease as it has grown to be deadly for citrus agriculture.
Researchers have identified the first natural way plants can defend themselves against citrus greening disease, a destructive illness that has severely affected citrus agriculture around the world.
The discovery was made by scientists at the Institute of Microbiology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (IMCAS) and was recently published in the journal Science.
Citrus greening disease, also known as huanglongbing (HLB), is often likened to “cancer in citrus” because it gradually kills infected trees and has no cure. The disease is spread by small insects and has led to the loss of millions of acres of citrus crops in more than 50 countries, causing billions in damages. Trees typically die within a few years after infection.
The scientists found that certain plants related to citrus—such as the curry leaf and Sichuan pepper plants—possess a natural resistance to HLB. These plants generate a unique protein that protects them from the disease-causing bacteria. Researchers used this knowledge to genetically enhance citrus trees, improving their resistance.
Additionally, the team employed artificial intelligence to create short protein fragments, known as peptides, capable of neutralizing the disease. One peptide, dubbed APP3-14, was able to lower infection levels by as much as 80% in just one growing season.
“This gives us two significant advantages,” said IMCAS professor Ye Jian. “We now have a path to develop environmentally safe treatments for citrus trees, and we may also be able to apply this method to combat other difficult plant diseases.”
According to Ye, the research not only offers fresh hope to citrus growers battling HLB, but it could also inspire new approaches to tackling crop diseases like maize rust and infections in olive trees.
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