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Response of Citrus spp. germplasm from Puerto Rico grafted on two rootstocks to early infection of huanglongbing

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Abstract

Huanglongbing (HLB), associated with the proteobacterium ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’(CLa), is a destructive disease in citrus. Resistance/tolerance has been identified in some citrus species, wild relatives, and transgenic citrus genotypes. The objectives of this study were to: (1) evaluate the response of the citrus germplasm collection from Puerto Rico (namely ‘Rico’) to HLB, (2) determine the most appropriate rootstock-genotype combination, and (3) quantify the presence of the bacterium in the plant tissue by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Seventeen genotypes were grafted onto ‘HRS 812’ and ‘Swingle’ citrumelo rootstocks. The plants were inoculated with HLB infected buds and evaluated at 12 months after inoculation in a greenhouse in Adjuntas, Puerto Rico. The genotypes ‘Lares’ and ‘Padilla’ had significantly higher incidence (>65.0%) and severity (3.2–4.3) compared to ‘Mexican Lime’ and ‘Tahiti Lime’ that had lower scores (<18.0%, 1.1–1.3) using both rootstocks. In contrast, the genotypes ‘Fronton’, ‘PR-Sel-1’, and ‘Rico 7–376’ grafted on HRS 812; and ‘Pietri 334’ grafted on Swingle citrumelo had lower HLB incidence (<10%) and severity (<1.5). Significantly higher mean cycle threshold (Ct) values were only observed for the genotypes Fronton (37.0), Tahiti Lime (36.5), and Pietri 334 (36.2) compared to Padilla (34.7 and 32.7 when HRS 812 and Swingle citrumelo was used as rootstock, respectively). Citrus genotypes having lower HLB scores were identified, however, their reaction varied according to the rootstock used.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the USA-NIFA-HATCH project for supporting the funds of this research. Authors also thank Mrs. Jennifer Pagán, Casiani Soto, and Yanira Miranda; and Mr. Luis Cabán for the support in the greenhouse work; and Dr. James Beaver for reviewing the manuscript and his valuable inputs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Agro-Environmental Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, Isabela Research Substation, 2090 Av. Militar, Isabela, PR, 00662, USA

    Diego M. Viteri

  2. Department of Agro-Environmental Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, Juana Díaz Research Substation, Carr.510 Km 3.2 Barrio Sabana Llana, Juana Díaz, PR, 00795, USA

    Consuelo Estévez de Jensen

  3. Department of Agro-Environmental Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, Adjuntas Research Substation, Carr 525 Km 2.5 Barrio Lamani, Adjuntas, PR, 00601, USA

    Evelio Hernández

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  1. Diego M. Viteri
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  2. Consuelo Estévez de Jensen
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  3. Evelio Hernández
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Correspondence to Diego M. Viteri.

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Viteri, D.M., Estévez de Jensen, C. & Hernández, E. Response of Citrus spp. germplasm from Puerto Rico grafted on two rootstocks to early infection of huanglongbing. Eur J Plant Pathol 160, 589–597 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10658-021-02267-y

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