Controlling citrus huanglongbing by using the citrus isolate of nectarine marafivirus M and IT's expression system -- objective 1: characterizing the NMV-M/CFL (NMV) citrus isolate, including its host…

The Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service awarded $110,000 in a Cooperative Agreement to Wageningen University on May 1, 2026, to characterize a citrus isolate of nectarine marafivirus (NMV-M/CFL) and develop an expression vector incorporating antimicrobial peptides and/or siRNA to control citrus huanglongbing. The work is funded under Agricultural Research Basic and Applied Research (CFDA 10.001).

Wageningen University will characterize the NMV isolate's host range and transmission mechanisms and engineer an expression system to deliver antimicrobial compounds or gene-silencing agents against the bacterial pathogen. Performance occurs in the Netherlands with a period from May 1, 2026 through November 30, 2027. The award obligates $110,000 of the total funding.

Controlling citrus huanglongbing by using the citrus isolate of nectarine marafivirus M and IT's expression system -- objective 1: characterizing the NMV-M/CFL (NMV) citrus isolate, including its host range and transmission. And objective 4: developing an expression vector of NMV-M/CFL with antimicrobial peptides and/or sirna.