Patent ID: 8785725

Claim:
A method for generating resistance against diseases affecting wildtype citrus fruits and caused by at least one of Penicillium digitatum, Penicillium miniolutem, Xanthomonas citri , and Ceratitis capitata Wied., comprising: genetically transforming a plant of a Citrus spp., by introducing a transgene encoding at least an antisense RNA having a sequence corresponding to a d-limonene synthase gene configured to trigger RNA silencing of at least an endogenous messenger RNA encoding a polypeptide with d-limonene synthase activity; and performing at least one assay to determine whether a reduction in d-limonene synthase activity and an accumulation of endogenous d-limonene to levels that trigger a plant defense response in a citrus fruit of the transformed plant against at least one of Penicillium digitatum, Penicillium miniolutem, Xanthomonas citri , and Ceratitis capitata Wied. has been achieved.