Within-family genomic selection in strawberry: Optimization of marker density, trial design, and training set composition.

Genomic selection is a widely used quantitative method of determining the genetic value of an individual from genomic information and phenotypic data. In this study, we used a large, multi-year training population of 3248 individuals from the University of Florida strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duchesne) breeding program. We coupled this training population with a test population of 1460 individuals derived from 20 biparental families.

Complex interplay: The interactions between citrus tristeza virus and its host.

Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) is one of the largest and most economically important RNA viruses infecting plants. CTV's interactions with various citrus hosts can result in three diseases: quick decline, stem pitting, or seedling yellows. Studying CTV poses several challenges owing to its significant genetic diversity and the highly specific occurrence of disease symptoms when different genotypes infect different citrus hosts.

Genome-wide analyses provide insights into genetic variation, phylo- and co-phylogenetic relationships, and biogeography of the entomopathogenic nematode genus Heterorhabditis.

Multigene, genus-wide phylogenetic studies have uncovered the limited taxonomic resolution power of commonly used gene markers, particularly of rRNA genes, to discriminate closely related species of the nematode genus Heterorhabditis. In addition, conflicting tree topologies are often obtained using the different gene markers, which limits our understanding of the phylo- and co-phylogenetic relationships and biogeography of the entomopathogenic nematode genus Heterorhabditis. Here we carried out phylogenomic reconstructions using whole nuclear and mitochondrial genomes, and whole ribosomal operon sequences, as well as multiple phylogenetic reconstructions using various single nuclear and mitochondrial genes.

Integrated Transcriptome and Metabolome Analysis Reveals Insights into Flavone and Flavonol Biosynthesis in Salicylic Acid-Induced Huanglongbing Tolerance.

Salicylic acid (SA) exhibits positive effects against Huanglongbing (HLB), but how SA affects citrus resistance to HLB is currently unknown. This study conducted integrated transcriptome and metabolome analyses on SA-treated (HLB-sensitive) and (HLB-tolerant). The results indicated that the syntheses of flavones and flavonols were induced by SA, while the expression levels of associated genes and the contents of corresponding metabolites varied significantly between the two species after SA treatment or HLB infection.

An insect virus differentially alters gene expression among life stages of an insect vector and enhances bacterial phytopathogen transmission.

Unlabelled: transmits Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) between citrus plants which causes the expression of huanglongbing disease in citrus. flavi-like virus (DcFLV) co-occurs intracellularly with CLas in populations in the field. However, the impact(s) of DcFLV presence on the insect vector and its interaction with the CLas phytopathogen remain unclear.

The Effect of Heat-treated Poultry Pellets and Composted Poultry Litter on E. coli Survival in Southeastern US Soils: Florida and Georgia.

Biological soil amendments of animal origin (BSAAO) are a source of foodborne pathogens that can contaminate fresh produce. This study evaluated the survival of E. coli over 140 d in agricultural soils amended with composted poultry litter (PL), heat-treated poultry pellets (HTPP), or unamended (UN) in Florida (FL) and Georgia (GA).

The probability of detecting host-specific microbial source tracking markers in surface waters was strongly associated with method and season.

Fecal contamination of surface waters presents significant human health and environmental risks. While many methods for understanding fecal contamination cannot differentiate between human and animal sources, microbial source tracking (MST) marker methods are used to identify fecal sources. To understand how to best employ MST marker data for managing fecal contamination risks, the present study compiled previously collected MST marker data ( = 12,878 samples) from across North America; each sample in the data set had been tested for fecal contamination from one or more of five sources (avian, canine, human, ruminant, swine).

Investigating the role of chemical ecology in plant-pathogen, vector, and secondary consumer interactions and their consequences for integrated pest management.

Phytopathogens modify chemical communication between host plants and herbivorous vectors of those pathogens. These chemical cues often attract vectors to sources of inoculum and facilitate the further spread of the pathogens. Recent investigations have demonstrated that secondary consumers also respond to the same pathogen-induced cues that affect the behavior of vectors.

Microbial community of cultivated and uncultivated citrus rhizosphere microbiota in Brazil.

The rhizosphere microbiome is known to contain beneficial microorganisms that promote plant growth and increase tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses. Understanding citrus microbiome diversity and the percentage of diversity that can be recovered in the laboratory is essential for developing innovative approaches to improve plant health and promote sustainable agricultural practices. However, information about the citrus root microbiome, especially in the context of exploring commercial citrus growing areas to identify beneficial plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), is scarce.

Evaluation of tree-injected oxytetracycline and antisense oligonucleotides targeting Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus in citrus.

Background: Huanglongbing (HLB) is a systemic disease of citrus caused by the bacterial pathogen Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) that limits citrus production worldwide. CLas is an obligate bacterial pathogen that multiplies in citrus trees and in the insect vector, the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri Kuwayama. There is no cure for HLB currently and broad-spectrum antibiotics represent one possible therapeutic against disease symptoms.

Identifying the earliest citrus responses to Liberibacter asiaticus infection: a temporal metabolomics study.

The global citrus industry faces a great threat from Huanglongbing (HLB), a destructive disease caused by ' Liberibacter asiaticus' (Las) that induces significant economic losses without any known cure. Understanding how citrus plants defend against HLB, particularly at the early stages of infection, is crucial for developing long-term solutions. This study investigated the earliest metabolic responses of fresh citrus leaves to Las infection using untargeted metabolomics and machine learning models.

Epigenetic modulation of fungal pathogens: a focus on .

Epigenetics has emerged as a potent field of study for understanding the factors influencing the effectiveness of human disease treatments and for identifying alternations induced by pathogens in host plants. However, there has been a paucity of research on the epigenetic control of the proliferation and pathogenicity of fungal plant pathogens. Fungal plant pathogens such as , a significant threat to global rice production, provide an important model for exploring how epigenetic mechanisms govern fungal proliferation and virulence.

The vector regulation hypothesis: dynamic competition between pathogen and vector behaviors constrains biofilm development in sharpshooter foreguts.

() bacteria form biofilm on the cuticular surfaces of the functional foregut (precibarium and cibarium) of its vectors, xylem fluid-ingesting sharpshooter leafhoppers and spittlebugs. While much is known about biofilm development and maturation , little is known about these processes in vectors. Real-time (RT)-PCR was used to quantify genomes daily in the functional foreguts of blue-green sharpshooters, over 7 days of exposure to infected grapevines.

Response of hibiscus mealybug (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) to citrus volatiles induced by mechanical injury.

Hibiscus mealybug, Nipaecoccus viridis (Newstead) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), is a recent invasive pest of citrus and many other crops in Florida. Nipaecoccus viridis attacks all above ground parts of citrus trees and heavy infestation can cause leaf drop and premature abortion of developing fruits. We quantified greater captures of N.

Engineered dsRNA-protein nanoparticles for effective systemic gene silencing in plants.

Long-distance transport or systemic silencing effects of exogenous biologically active RNA molecules in higher plants have not been reported. Here, we report that cationized bovine serum albumin (cBSA) avidly binds double-stranded beta-glucuronidase RNA (dsGUS RNA) to form nucleic acid-protein nanocomplexes. In our experiments with tobacco and poplar plants, we have successfully demonstrated systemic gene silencing effects of cBSA/dsGUS RNA nanocomplexes when we locally applied the nanocomplexes from the basal ends of leaf petioles or shoots.

Evaluation of diets from various maize hybrids reveals potential tolerance traits against (Boisd) as measured by developmental and digestive performance.

(Boisd) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a highly polyphagous insect that significantly reduces agricultural production of several food staples. We evaluated performance of on several meridic diets based on various maize hybrids, including Oteel, Simon, Valbum, SC703, and SC704. Growth, feeding behaviours, and activity of digestive enzymes of were examined under laboratory conditions.

The sandwich feeding assay for use with first instar nymphs of the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri confirms the high susceptibility of this life stage to bacterial pesticidal proteins.

Citrus greening or huanglongbing is the most important disease of citrus and threatens citrus production worldwide. As nymphs of Diaphorina citri play a crucial role in the acquisition and transmission of the citrus greening bacterium, suppression of this life stage is particularly important. However, the lack of a tractable feeding assay for use with first instar D.

SDE19, a SEC-dependent effector from 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' suppresses plant immunity and targets Citrus sinensis Sec12 to interfere with vesicle trafficking.

Citrus huanglongbing (HLB), which is caused by the phloem-colonizing bacteria Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), poses a significant threat to citrus production worldwide. The pathogenicity mechanism of HLB remains poorly understood. SEC-dependent effectors (SDEs) have been suggested to play critical roles in the interaction between citrus and CLas.

Sorption and degradation processes of imidacloprid in Florida soils.

Imidacloprid (IDP) is an active ingredient of the Admire brand pesticide used to control the vector (Asian citrus psyllid) that transmits the causative organism Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) for citrus greening or huanglongbing disease. Imidacloprid products are applied via soil drench where citrus roots are mostly concentrated which is between 0 and 60 cm depth. These soil depths exhibit different characteristics that may affect IDP leaching beyond the rooting zone.

Cas12a RNP-mediated co-transformation enables transgene-free multiplex genome editing, long deletions, and inversions in citrus chromosome.

Introduction: Citrus canker, caused by subsp. citri (), is a devastating disease worldwide. Previously, we successfully generated canker-resistant cv.