Metabolic Profiling of Hybrids Generated from Pummelo and in Relation to Their Attraction to , the Vector of Huanglongbing.

The citrus industry at present is severely affected by huanglongbing disease (HLB). HLB is caused by the supposed bacterial pathogen " Liberibacter asiaticus" and is transmitted by the insect vector, the Asian citrus psyllid, Kuwayama. Developing new citrus hybrids to improve HLB management is much needed. In this study, we investigated the metabolomic profiles of three new hybrids produced from the cross of C2-5-12 Pummelo ( (L.) Osbeck) × pollen from . The hybrids were selected based on leaf morphology and seedling vigor. The selected hybrids exhibited compact and upright tree architecture as seen in . Hybrids were verified by simple sequence repeat markers, and were subjected to metabolomic analysis using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and polar metabolites profiling also showed that the new hybrids were different from their parents. Interestingly, the levels of stored VOCs in hybrid II were higher than those observed in its parents and other hybrids. The level of most VOCs released by hybrid II was also higher than that released from its parents. Additionally, the preference assay showed that hybrid II was more attractive to than its parents and other hybrids. The leaf morphology, compact and upright architecture of hybrid II, and its attraction to suggest that it could be used as a windbreak and trap tree for (double duty), once its tolerance to HLB disease is confirmed. Our results showed that metabolomic analysis could be successfully used to understand the biochemical mechanisms controlling the interaction of with its host plants.