Scientists discover genetic pathway to improve citrus cold tolerance

Citrus plants struggle to survive in cold weather, leading to lower fruit yields and poor quality. As climate change brings more frequent cold waves, scientists are searching for ways to develop hardier citrus varieties. A new study has identified a key gene that helps citrus plants tolerate low temperatures, offering a possible solution to this long-standing problem.

Researchers at Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine and Huazhong Agricultural University have discovered that the PtrPAT1 gene in Poncirus trifoliata, a cold-hardy citrus relative, plays a major role in boosting resistance to cold stress. Their study reveals that this gene increases the production of glycine betaine (GB), a compound that protects plants from damage in freezing conditions.

The research team found that PtrPAT1 triggers the activation of another gene, PtrBADH-1, which is responsible for GB biosynthesis. By experimenting with genetically modified tobacco plants, they confirmed that higher levels of PtrPAT1 led to increased cold tolerance, while silencing the gene made the plants more sensitive to cold.

Further analysis showed that PtrPAT1 interacts with a specific DNA sequence in PtrBADH-1, confirming its role in regulating GB production. This discovery provides a genetic tool that could be used to develop citrus crops capable of withstanding colder temperatures.

Dr. Ji-Hong Liu, one of the study’s authors, emphasized that these findings could help citrus growers reduce crop losses and maintain stable production in colder regions. Scientists believe that applying this genetic knowledge to commercial citrus varieties could lead to new, cold-resistant cultivars.

Beyond citrus farming, this discovery could have broader agricultural applications. Other crops affected by cold stress could potentially be genetically improved using similar strategies, helping to strengthen food security amid climate change.

Read the full study here.

photo: upr.org