The TEA, ‘Assisted Evolution Techniques’, could be used not only to obtain rice resistant to blast or Chardonnay resistant to downy mildew but also to protect cherry growers and, in general, fruit growers from attacks by Drosophila suzukii, commonly known as the spotted wing drosophila.
“The ‘Gene Drive’ – said Gianfranco Anfora, professor at UniTr – involves the release of a few genetically modified individuals of Drosophila suzukii that, according to ongoing research, could lead to the progressive and total collapse of the target population.”
The ‘Gene Drive’ is a possibility that researchers are exploring, and it was discussed during an event organized by the Accademia dei Georgofili, Fondazione E. Mach, and Sant’Orsola titled ‘Biological Control of Drosophila suzukii, Updates and Perspectives’ held in Pergine (Tn) on February 19th.
The technique involves the use of molecular scissors CRISPR/Cas9, for which Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer A. Doudna were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2020, and is an evolution of another strategy already used for biological control of pests, namely the sterile male technique (SIT).
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07 Oct 2024
Drosophila melanogaster is linked to Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the yeast commonly used in bread-making, and D. suzukii is linked to Pichia terricola, Pichia kluyveri and Hanseniaspora uvarum. Previous studies identified H. uvarum on both infested grape and raspberry fruits.
28 May 2024
‘This year we have heard that there will be an overlap again,’ says Dan Davis of Washington Fruit Growers. ‘If this is the case, it will favour a transition to Washington, as we will have plenty of volume and good-sized fruit to satisfy the retailers.
12 Oct 2026
Rainfall in south-central Chile is raising the risk of fungal and bacterial diseases in orchards. INIA Quilamapu warns that cherry, blueberry, pome fruit and grapevine crops are vulnerable, highlighting monitoring, preventive measures and the removal of infected timber.
12 Oct 2026
In Argentina, Jujuy’s temperate valleys bring cherry harvests forward to late September. Low-chill varieties reach 25-29 °Brix, creating new commercial and export opportunities and arriving 15-20 days ahead of production in Mendoza, Argentina, and Chile’s Coquimbo region.
