Project Number: 1920-22000-028-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Feb 11, 2003
End Date: Feb 10, 2008

Objective:
Determine interactions of vector species, pathogen strains, and host species to identify factors influencing establishment, spread, and control of insect-vectored diseases of Prunus and Citrus in the U.S.; purify, characterize, and develop specific detection strategies for Pennsylvania isolates of the plum pox virus and generalized detection strategies for new or undescribed viral disorders. Contribute to curation of microbial collections for all CRIS at the unit, perform physical audits of pathogens, monitor APHIS permit status, oversee and track regulations regarding transport and storage of APHIS Select Agents, and liaison with APHIS for containment inspections and certifications.

Approach:
Establish and maintain foreign (exotic) viruses (including plum pox [PPV]) under quarantine containment and compare transmission, disease severity, vector/virus interactions, and host range using a variety of scientific methodologies. Specific approaches will include investigation of transmission of PPV by Pennsylvania aphid species from leaves and fruit, determination of the role of alternative hosts in epidemiology of PPV, determination of temporal and spatial distribution of PPV within orchards and within trees, determination of the molecular variability of U.S. isolates of PPV and the role of the host, the vector, and the environment in natural selection of new isolates, development of specific, rapid detection systems, purification and production of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies, and cooperation in studies of resistance to PPV in stone fruits. Preferential transmission of severe exotic isolates of citrus tristeza virus (CTV) from mixed infections with single brown citrus aphids (BCA) will also be examined, as well as the potential of newly established citrus arthropod species to vector citrus pathogens such as citrus greening (Huanglongbing) (psyllids) and citrus variegated chlorosis (CVC) (glassy-winged sharpshooters). Oversight of microbial collections includes pathogen biosafety security and coordination with NCI Repository. BSL (recertification) 1/17/2002.

Project Team

Damsteegt, Vernon - Vern Luster, Douglas - Doug Schneider, William

Project Annual Reports

FY 2003

Related National Programs

Plant Diseases (303)

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IDENTIFICATION, TAGGING, AND CHARACTERIZATION OF RESISTANCE GENES TO PPV IN PRUNUS SPECIES    ULTRASTRUCTURAL DETERMINATION OF MECHANISMS OF PLUM POX VIRUS TRANSMISSION