TEXAS
RESEARCHER HAS HIGH HOPES FOR THREAT-RESISTANT CITRUS A
researcher at the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station in Weslaco is expecting
results from the first crop of Rio Red grapefruit trees that have undergone genetic
engineering for resistance to several threats. Dr. Eric Mirkov engineered some
of the trees to be resistant to the citrus trizesta virus, others for insect resistance,
and still more to resist bacteria including citrus canker and greening. The
crop should show results in December. Dr. Mirkov says that if results are positive
and quality and taste are not compromised, the research could be a significant
step toward eradicating pests and disease. ALSO IN THIS WEEK'S RAP-UP (Members-Only
articles are indicated in bold.) | |
