By Shelby Shank
Field Editor

A new gene-edited citrus rootstock could offer growers relief in the fight against citrus greening.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently approved CarriCea T1, a rootstock developed by Soilcea with support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National Science Foundation’s Small Business Innovation Research program.

The new technology is designed to help trees withstand Huanglongbing (HLB), also known as citrus greening.

HLB is a bacterial disease spread by Asian citrus psyllid. The bacterium damages a tree’s vascular tissue, limiting its ability to take up nutrients and water. This leads to reduced fruit quality, lower yields and tree death.

The disease was first detected in Florida in 2005 and has since devastated the U.S. citrus industry. An estimated 50 million trees have been lost, contributing to 47,000 lost jobs and $76.5 billion in economic damage.

The disease has also spread to other citrus growing states including Texas, California, Alabama, Louisiana, Hawaii, Mississippi, South Carolina and Georgia.

CarriCea T1 works by making precise edits to existing citrus genes and disrupts how the bacteria interact with the tree. The rootstock does not introduce new DNA from other organisms and could reduce reliance on conventional pesticide sprays.

“CarriCea T1 helps protect American citrus, supports a nutritious food supply and lets growers rely less on conventional pesticide applications,” Lee Zeldin, EPA administrator, said.

Fruit from trees using the rootstock will be indistinguishable from other varieties.

After conducting a dietary safety assessment under the EPA’s regulatory framework for plant-incorporated protectants, the agency determined the product meets human health and environmental safety standards.