RESISTANCE to the dreaded citrus greening disease may only be a gene away.
Australian scientists have mapped the genome of a native lime species which is resistant to Huanglongbing (HLB), with hopes identifying the appropriate gene could lead to its incorporation into commercial varieties.
University of Queensland researchers have been working with the Australian round lime, also known as the Gympie lime, and are now looking at five other native citrus species including the finger lime.
PhD candidate Upuli Nakandala said the species Citrus australis was recognised as HLB-resistant so it became the first candidate for sequencing.
"HLB is a huge problem for citrus growers across a number of growing areas including California and Florida in the United States and in Africa," Ms Nakandala said.
Australia currently remains free of HLB.
"People have been trying to control this disease using chemicals and other methods but there's been no permanent solution," Ms Nakandala said.
"One option available is to develop resistant cultivars, and the first step towards that is identifying these important resistant genes in Australian citrus."
UQ's Professor Robert Henry said mapping the genome of Australian round limes achieved that aim.
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"Sequencing the genomes of plants, particularly these tree crops will give us a new platform for genetic improvements and better management of their production into the future," Professor Henry said.
"Our research team has the right technology at the right time.
"We have placed ourselves at the cutting edge of that technology and we have the climate and the crops here that put us in a great position to make an important contribution to international efforts to solve this devastating disease problem."
Professor Henry said the team was also working on genomes for other tree crop species.
"We're looking at a number of horticultural crops including macadamia, almond and mango - a wide range of species that are important in Australia and will provide the science background that we need to advance these crops," he said.
Hort Innovation and the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries have funded the research.
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