Abstract: It is presented that citrus Huanglongbing (HLB), caused by phloem-colonizing Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), is an immune-mediated disease. CLas infection of Citrus sinensis stimulated systemic and chronic immune response in the phloem tissues including reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Methods and compositions for transfecting plants and regenerating plants to express antioxidant enzymes or shut down genes to reduce adverse effects of CLas infection are provided.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a plant that is tolerant or resistant to species of Ca. Liberibacter. Specifically exemplified are citrus and solanaceous plants. Provided by the disclosure is a modified citrus or solanaceous plant that is resistant or tolerant to Sec-dependent effectors secreted by bacteria. Also provided by the disclosure are methods of modifying a plant genome plant to provide tolerance or resistance to species of Ca. Liberibacter. Still further provided by the disclosure are methods conferring a population of plants with tolerance or resistance to species of Ca. Liberibacter and screening that population for the plants that are tolerant or resistant to species of Ca. Liberibacter.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a plant that is tolerant or resistant to species of Ca. Liberibacter. Specifically exemplified are citrus and solanaceous plants. Provided by the disclosure is a modified citrus or solanaceous plant that is resistant or tolerant to Sec-dependent effectors secreted by bacteria. Also provided by the disclosure are methods of modifying a plant genome plant to provide tolerance or resistance to species of Ca. Liberibacter. Still further provided by the disclosure are methods conferring a population of plants with tolerance or resistance to species of Ca. Liberibacter and screening that population for the plants that are tolerant or resistant to species of Ca. Liberibacter.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a plant that is tolerant or resistant to species of Ca. Liberibacter. Specifically exemplified are citrus and solanaceous plants. Provided by the disclosure is a modified citrus or solanaceous plant that is resistant or tolerant to Sec-dependent effectors secreted by bacteria. Also provided by the disclosure are methods of modifying a plant genome plant to provide tolerance or resistance to species of Ca. Liberibacter. Still further provided by the disclosure are methods conferring a population of plants with tolerance or resistance to species of Ca. Liberibacter and screening that population for the plants that are tolerant or resistant to species of Ca. Liberibacter.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and materials for editing genes in citrus cells. Specifically exemplified is the implementation of an optimized Cas9 and the CRISPR type II class nuclease. Also exemplified is the use of a U6-1 promoter for driving expressing of editing constructs in citrus cells. Various protocols and sequences for editing genes are disclosed as well.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a plant that is tolerant or resistant to species of Ca. Liberibacter. Specifically exemplified are citrus and solanaceous plants. Provided by the disclosure is a modified citrus or solanaceous plant that is resistant or tolerant to Sec-dependent effectors secreted by bacteria. Also provided by the disclosure are methods of modifying a plant genome plant to provide tolerance or resistance to species of Ca. Liberibacter. Still further provided by the disclosure are methods conferring a population of plants with tolerance or resistance to species of Ca. Liberibacter and screening that population for the plants that are tolerant or resistant to species of Ca. Liberibacter.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a plant cell or a plant having one or more mutations in the promoters of both the alleles for CsLOB1 gene, wherein the one or more mutations are in the promoter binding sites for PthA4 protein from Xanthomonas spp., and wherein the one or more mutations reduce or abolish the binding of the Xanthomonas spp. PthA4 protein on to the binding sites in the promoters of the CsLOB1 genes. Also, a plant cell or a plant having one or more mutations in the coding regions of both the alleles for CsLOB1 gene, wherein the one or more mutations reduce or abolish the binding of the function of CsLOB1 protein are provided. The invention further pertains to the methods of making the plant cell or the plant resistant to infection by Xanthomonas spp.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a plant cell or a plant having one or more mutations in the promoters of both the alleles for CsLOB1 gene, wherein the one or more mutations are in the promoter binding sites for PthA4 protein from Xanthomonas spp., and wherein the one or more mutations reduce or abolish the binding of the Xanthomonas spp. PthA4 protein on to the binding sites in the promoters of the CsLOB1 genes. Also, a plant cell or a plant having one or more mutations in the coding regions of both the alleles for CsLOB1 gene, wherein the one or more mutations reduce or abolish the binding of the function of CsLOB1 protein are provided. The invention further pertains to the methods of making the plant cell or the plant resistant to infection by Xanthomonas spp.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a plant cell or a plant having one or more mutations in the promoters of both the alleles for CsLOB1 gene, wherein the one or more mutations are in the promoter binding sites for PthA4 protein from Xanthomonas spp., and wherein the one or more mutations reduce or abolish the binding of the Xanthomonas spp. PthA4 protein on to the binding sites in the promoters of the CsLOB1 genes. Also, a plant cell or a plant having one or more mutations in the coding regions of both the alleles for CsLOB1 gene, wherein the one or more mutations reduce or abolish the binding of the function of CsLOB1 protein are provided. The invention further pertains to the methods of making the plant cell or the plant resistant to infection by Xanthomonas spp.

Abstract: Provided herein are genetically modified citrus plants having enhanced resistance to Huanglongbing (HLB) and methods of producing such plants by overexpressing a papain-like cysteine protease (PLCP) polypeptide to overcome the function of Sec-delivered effector 1 (SDE1).

Abstract: Citrus canker caused by the bacterium Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (Xac) is an economically important disease of citrus worldwide. Biofilm formation plays an important role in early infection of Xac on host leaves. In this study, we assessed the hypothesis that small molecules able to inhibit biofilm formation reduce Xac infection and enhance the control of citrus canker disease. D-leucine and 3-indolylacetonitrile (IAN) were found to prevent biofilm formation by Xac on different abiotic surfaces and host leaves at a concentration lower than the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Quantitative realtime reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis indicated that IAN repressed expression of chemotaxis/motility-related genes in Xac. In laboratory experiments, planktonic and biofilm cells of Xac treated with D-leucine and IAN, either alone or in combination, were more susceptible to copper (CuSO4) than those untreated.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a plant cell or a plant having one or more mutations in the promoters of both the alleles for CsLOB1 gene, wherein the one or more mutations are in the promoter binding sites for PthA4 protein from Xanthomonas spp., and wherein the one or more mutations reduce or abolish the binding of the Xanthomonas spp. PthA4 protein on to the binding sites in the promoters of the CsLOB1 genes. Also, a plant cell or a plant having one or more mutations in the coding regions of both the alleles for CsLOB1 gene, wherein the one or more mutations reduce or abolish the binding of the function of CsLOB1 protein are provided. The invention further pertains to the methods of making the plant cell or the plant resistant to infection by Xanthomonas spp.

Abstract: A method for testing finger dexterity which is applied to a device for testing finger dexterity. The device comprises a testing mechanism with base part, sensor, metal conductive sheet, and processing unit. The base part defines a screw hole defining a first conductive point, the metal conductive sheet defines a second conductive point. The sensor detects a screw inserted into the screw hole, and produces an induction signal. The circuit board produces a trigger signal when the screw makes contact with the first conductive point and the second conductive point. The processing unit receives and analyzes the time lengths between signals and repetitions of signals, and generates a testing result accordingly as a measure of manual dexterity.

Abstract: This application describes and claims a method of improving the health and vigor of a plant, comprising administering to the plant an effective amount of a bacterial composition which comprises a botanically compatible vehicle and an isolated bacterial strain selected from the group consisting of Bacillus megaterium PT6, Bacillus subtilis PT26A, Paenibacillus sp. ATY16, and any combination thereof. Improvement in health and vigor is one or more of the following: a) improved resistance to disease; b) improved ability to defend against disease; c) reduction of disease symptoms; d) faster growth; e) improved crop productivity; f) improved crop quality; g) improved seed germination; h) improved seedling emergence; or any combination thereof. Isolated bacterial strains and mixtures of bacteria are provided, as well as compositions comprising the isolated bacterial strains.

Abstract: The subject invention is directed toward antimicrobial agents and methods of treating and preventing infection by pathogenic microorganisms and endophytic microorganisms in a plant through the use of SecA inhibitors.

Abstract: A method and compounds are described and claimed relating to plant defense inducer compositions and compounds, and to their use for improving certain aspects of plant and crop management, including treating plant disease, improving the ability of plants to defend against disease, reducing disease symptoms, treating HLB disease, minimizing crop yield decreases due to plant disease, improving crop productivity, and increasing crop quality. In particular, the compounds and compositions are useful for controlling and treating plant disease, for example Huanglongbing disease (HLB) and mitigating disease symptoms of HLB and Ca. Liberibacter infection in plants. Crop plants are contemplated for use with the invention, for example citrus trees.

Abstract: This application describes and claims a method of improving the health and vigor of a plant, comprising administering to the plant an effective amount of a bacterial composition which comprises a botanically compatible vehicle and an isolated bacterial strain selected from the group consisting of Bacillus megaterium PT6, Bacillus subtilis PT26A, Paenibacillus sp. ATY16, and any combination thereof. Improvement in health and vigor is one or more of the following: a) improved resistance to disease; b) improved ability to defend against disease; c) reduction of disease symptoms; d) faster growth; e) improved crop productivity; f) improved crop quality; g) improved seed germination; h) improved seedling emergence; or any combination thereof. Isolated bacterial strains and mixtures of bacteria are provided, as well as compositions comprising the isolated bacterial strains.

Abstract: The subject invention is directed toward antimicrobial agents and methods of treating and preventing infection by pathogenic microorganisms and endophytic microorganisms in a plant through the use of SecA inhibitors.

Abstract: The subject invention is directed toward antimicrobial agents and methods of treating and preventing infection by pathogenic microorganisms and endophytic microorganisms in a plant through the use of SecA inhibitors.