Flavor is an important attribute of mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco), but flavor improvement via conventional breeding is very challenging largely due to the complexity of the flavor components and traits. Many aroma associated volatiles of citrus fruit have been identified, which are directly related to flavor, but knowledge of genetic linkages and relevant genes for these volatiles, along with applicable markers potentially for expeditious and economical marker-assisted selection (MAS), is very limited. The objective of this project was to identify single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers associated with these volatile traits. Aroma volatiles were investigated in two mandarin parents (‘Fortune’ and ‘Murcott’) and their 116 F1 progeny using gas chromatography mass spectrometry in 2012 and 2013. A total of 148 volatiles were detected, including one acid, 12 alcohols, 20 aldehydes, 14 esters, one furan, three aromatic hydrocarbons, 16 ketones, one phenol, 27 sesquiterpenes, 15 monoterpenes, and 38 unknowns. A total of 206 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were identified for 94 volatile compounds using genotyping data generated from a 1536-SNP Illumina GoldenGate assay. In detail, 25 of the QTLs were consistent over more than two harvest times. Forty-one QTLs were identified for 17 aroma active compounds that included 18 sesquiterpenes and were mapped onto four genomic regions. Fifty QTLs were for 14 monoterpenes and mapped onto five genomic regions. Candidate genes for some QTLs were also identified. A QTL interval for monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes on linkage group 2 contained four genes: geranyl diphosphate synthase 1, terpene synthase 3, terpene synthase 4, and terpene synthase 14. Some fruit aroma QTLs were identified and the candidate genes in the terpenoid biosynthetic pathway were found within the QTL intervals. These QTLs could lead to an efficient and feasible MAS approach to mandarin flavor improvement.

Citrus huanglongbing, putatively caused by the associated bacterium ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’, is the greatest threat to the world citrus industry today. The bacterium is spread locally and regionally by the citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri, and also can be disseminated by propagation of contaminated scion budwood that is grafted to the appropriate rootstock. The planting of ‘Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus’-free trees is a component of a comprehensive strategy to manage huanglongbing. In contrast to the scion budwood, the rootstocks used to produce these trees are grown from seed. This research was undertaken to provide evidence as to whether or not ‘Ca. L. asiaticus’ can be transmitted through seed. Two groups of 360 or more seedlings each of various citrus species were grown from seed removed from fruit on trees that were symptomatic for huanglongbing and confirmed to be infected with ‘Ca. L. asiaticus’ by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. These seedlings were tested multiple times over periods of up to 3 years. No symptoms typical of huanglongbing, such as blotchy leaf mottle, chlorotic shoots, or dieback of branches, were observed in these seedlings, and none of these 723 seedlings tested positive for the presence of ‘Ca. L. asiaticus’ even after repeated testing by sensitive quantitative PCR assays. Some sour orange seedlings did have quite pronounced and atypical growth, including stunting and mild to severe leaf malformation. These atypical growth habits were limited to seedlings that arose from zygotic embryos as determined by expressed-sequence tag simple-sequence repeat analyses. Thus, no evidence of transmission of ‘Ca. L. asiaticus’ via seed was obtained, and an earlier report of transmission of the pathogen through seed was not confirmed.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), the most abundant variations in a genome, have been widely used in various studies. Detection and characterization of citrus haplotype-based expressed sequence tag (EST) SNPs will greatly facilitate further utilization of these gene-based resources.

Epidemics of phony peach disease (PPD), caused by Xylella fastidiosa, are of increasing concern to peach (Prunus persica) producers in the southeastern United States. Primers suitable for both conventional PCR (cPCR) and quantitative PCR (qPCR), along with optimal tissue and sampling time, are needed for comparative and reliable detection of X. fastidiosa. In this study, we developed and assessed novel primers for X. fastidiosa and for peach and compared detection of X. fastidiosa in four peach tissue types sampled at three time points using both cPCR and qPCR. Primer C06Xf-bamA was extensively tested for reliable detection of X. fastidiosa due to the more consistent intensity of the cPCR products and the marginally lower average quantification cycle (Cq) values of the qPCR products, compared with the other primers screened. Among the four peach tissue types tested, only root samples demonstrated reliable and consistent detection of X. fastidiosa; stem, petiole, and leaf samples, regardless of source trees, primers used, sampling times, or PCR methods (cPCR or qPCR), were unreliable for detection, due to insufficient quantity of DNA of X. fastidiosa in these samples based on the relative quantification assay. The Cq means and ratios were compared and statistically analyzed, to ascertain effects of source tree, tissue type, sampling time, and primer. Differences in detection sensitivity and the Cq means among sampled trees, sampling times, tested primers, and tissues (except root) were not significant or were inconsistent precluding further exploitation. In summary, these novel primers are a useful resource for detecting X. fastidiosa, and based on our results, root is the only tissue type reliable for year-round detection of X. fastidiosa in peach. Further research on potential utilization of above-ground tissues for PCR detection of X. fastidiosa are discussed.

Venturia carpophilacauses peach scab, a disease that renders peach (Prunus persica) fruit unmarketable. We report a high-quality draft genome sequence (36.9 Mb) ofV. carpophilafrom an isolate collected from a peach tree in central Georgia in the United States. The genome annotation is described and a phylogenetic analysis of the pathogen is presented. The genome sequence will be a useful resource for various studies on the pathogen, including the biology and ecology, taxonomy and phylogeny, host interaction and coevolution, isolation and characterization of genes of interest, and development of molecular markers for genotyping and mapping.