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peer-reviewed research article

Research and adoption of biotechnology strategies could improve California fruit and nut crops

authors

Victor M. Haroldsen, Morrison and Foerster
Gabriel Paulino, SPRIM, San Francisco
Cecilia Chi-ham, PIPRA, Davis
Alan B. Bennett, UC Davis, and Executive Director, PIPRA

publication information

California Agriculture 66(2):62-69. DOI: 10.3733/ca.v066n02p62. April-June 2012.

NALT Keywords

agronomy, biotechnology, crop management, genetic engineering, pest management, Plant Products

abstract

California's fruit and nut tree crops represent one-third of the state's cash farm receipts and 70% of U.S. fruit and nut production. Advances in crop biotechnology and genetic engineering could help protect these valuable crops from pests and diseases and improve productivity. However, due to the difficulty of genetically engineering woody tree crops, as well as intellectual property concerns, regulatory hurdles and public perceptions about genetic engineering, biotechnology has not gained a foothold in this area of agriculture. Our survey of published genetic engineering research and issued field trial permits between 2000 and 2011 revealed that citrus and grape are the focus of most current work, and that walnut — not the more widely planted almond — is the focus among nut crops. Matching publicly funded genetic engineering research projects to a survey of the industry's top needs, we found that far less than half of the funded research has focused on the top-identified pest and disease threats. The most promising genetic engineering technology for fruit and nut tree crops may be transgrafting, which could address consumer concerns and benefit growers.

author affiliations

V.M. Haroldsen is Scientific Analyst, Morrison and Foerster, San Francisco; G. Paulino is Manager of Business Development, SPRIM, San Francisco; C.L. Chi-Ham is Director of Biotechnology Resources, PIPRA, Davis; A.B. Bennett is Professor, Department of Plant Sciences, UC Davis, and Executive Director, PIPRA;

author notes

A Plant Sciences Departmental GSR award and the Rockefeller Foundation supported work performed at UC Davis. Specific information on individual fruit and nut crops is available from the authors upon request.

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