Project Number: 5320-21000-011-06
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Sep 24, 2004
End Date: May 27, 2009

Objective:
The overall objective of this cooperative research project is to minimize the impact of two economically important plant viral diseases, Banana Bunchy Top and Citrus Tristeza. The objectives are as follows: 1) determine BBTV aphid vector distribution within plantations, both spatially and temporarily. 2) Determine the effect of imadocloprid (Provado ®, Bayer) on banana aphid mortality, reproductive rate and transmission of BBTV to bananas. 3) Optimize PCR procedures to test large numbers of banana samples for BBTV. 4) Develop an island-wide plan for management of BBTV for Hawaii Island. 5) Coordinate and focus the efforts of groups and agencies involved in determining the current distribution, local management and suppression, and education about BBTV on an island-wide basis 6) Create and distribute multi-faceted education efforts to teach growers and the general public on how to recognize and what to and what not to do if they find BBTV. 7) Develop a high throughput RT-PCR assay for CTV while monitoring CTV resistance in field trials. 8) Develop CTV resistant Mexican lime through genetic engineering.

Approach:
For objective 1) collect spatial and aphid distribution from field sites and map BBTV distribution using ARC-GIS and update on a CTAHR web site for BBTV. 2) Analyze imadocloprid (Provado®, Bayer) concentrations and latency after treatment to determine the effects of treatment using a microwell plate assay. Objective 3) Optimization of PCR BBTV assay for a 96 well reaction plate format by testing different DNA purification methods. For objectives 4) and 5) form a "Banana Action Group" to provide a coordinated effective response to BBTV on Hawaii Island to minimize the movement of BBTV into unaffected areas, through the development of educational materials and timely coordinated regulatory actions. For objective 6) create educational materials about BBTV including but not limited to, news releases, BBTV website, educational leaflets, Banana IPM guide and others. For objective 7) optimize existing RT-PCR protocol for CTV to adapt to a high throughput assay. For objective 8) through development and incorporation of CTV resistant gene constructs, fully transformed lime plants will be developed. Documents SCA with U-HI-Manoa. Formerly 5320-21000-010-10S (06/06).