Progress 02/01/00 to 01/31/05
Outputs
1. What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it (summarize project aims and objectives)? How serious is the problem? What does it matter? Diversity of tropical/subtropical germplasm has been reduced in natural habitats as a result of human activity, pests, diseases, and by weather related causes. The USDA, ARS, Tropical Agriculture Research Station, is responsible for collecting, maintaining, preserving, characterizing, evaluating, and distributing tropical/ subtropical crops that are vegetatively propagated (clonal crops) such as cacao, banana, plantain, atemoya, sugar apple, custard apple, sapodilla, mamey sapote, and Garcinia spp. Seeds of these crops are desiccation sensitive and can only be stored for a short period (i.e., recalcitrant seeds). For this reason, these crops are maintained as living collections in the field or under in vitro (tissue culture) conditions. Efforts are made toward the regeneration and in vitro
preservation of virus free germplasm of plantain and banana. Accessions of these crops are being characterized and evaluated in replicated plots for superior productivity and other important plant traits. For example, plantain and banana are economically important crops in Puerto Rico with an annual farm gate value of over $83 million. Both crops are also commercially grown in Hawaii, Southern Florida, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These crops are affected by four major pathological problems: the yellow and black sigatoka, nematodes, the corm weevil and viruses. Among these, black sigatoka and viruses are the most destructive diseases. New accessions with resistance to black sigatoka are being released by international improvement programs but these have not been widely tested yet. It has been estimated that cacao diseases cause losses of up to 43% of the potential crop. These losses cause detrimental effects to growers and to the cacao industry in general. Identification of
high yielding clones with resistance to major diseases of cacao and their subsequent increase, preservation and distribution will benefit growers worldwide. The responsibility for the maintenance of tropical and temperate bamboos, as well as backup collections of mango and avocado for the ARS location at Miami, FL, also falls under this project. The TARS bamboo collection consists of 94 accessions representing 17 tropical and 34 temperate species. This location is the only domestic site that assembles both tropical and temperate bamboos which have economic potential for reforestation, soil erosion control, landscaping, pulp and wood chips production. The maintenance of backup germplasm collections for ARS at Miami, FL, will safeguard elite germplasm against loss from weather related causes. We propose to assemble in a domestic site germplasm of mamey sapote, sapodilla, atemoya, sugar apple, custard apple, and Garcinia because most of this germplasm is currently unsecured and
widely dispersed throughout regional and international research centers, commercial nurseries and botanical gardens without proper characterization, evaluation and documentation. The availability of this germplasm will complement other ongoing research programs in Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Florida and Hawaii. 2. List the milestones (indicators of progress) from your Project Plan. 1. Introduce or locally select and maintain living collections of tropical/ subtropical germplasm with economic potential for the warm humid areas of the Continental and Insular U.S. 2. Multiply and preserve under aseptic laboratory conditions virus and disease free clones of tropical/subtropical germplasm for its safe exchange and distribution. 3. Adopt or develop plant descriptors and molecular markers for the phenotypic and genotypic characterization of the germplasm in collections, and its proper documentation into the USDA ARS, Genetic Resources Information Network (GRIN). 4. Evaluate and
select promising clones for yield and fruit quality, and tolerance to pests and diseases, and abiotic stresses. This project terminated on January 31, 2005. No other milestones to report. 3a List the milestones that were scheduled to be addressed in FY 2005. For each milestone, indicate the status: fully met, substantially met, or not met. If not met, why. 1. Introduce or locally select and maintain living collections of tropical/ subtropical germplasm with economic potential for the warm humid areas of the Continental and Insular U.S. Milestone Fully Met 2. Multiply and preserve under aseptic laboratory conditions virus and disease free clones of tropical/subtropical germplasm for its safe exchange and distribution. Milestone Fully Met 3. Adopt or develop plant descriptors and molecular markers for the phenotypic and genotypic characterization of the germplasm in collections, and its proper documentation into the USDA ARS, Genetic Resources Information Network (GRIN). Milestone
Fully Met 4. Evaluate and select promising clones for yield and fruit quality, and tolerance to pests and diseases and abiotic stresses. Milestone Fully Met 3b List the milestones that you expect to address over the next 3 years (FY 2006, 2007, and 2008). What do you expect to accomplish, year by year, over the next 3 years under each milestone? This project terminated on January 31, 2005. This is the final report. 4a What was the single most significant accomplishment this past year? At the Isabela, PR, site all 84 banana (Musa sp.) accessions were planted in three replicated blocks with three plants per replication within a block. This new planting is being evaluated for phenotypic and agronomic traits and these traits as well as molecular marker (genotypic) data will be used to estimate genetic diversity in the germplasm collection. Also, in this collection a first ratoon crop has been selected for second year evaluation of phenotypic and agronomic characters. This research
will continue under CRIS 6635-21000-044-00D. 5. Describe the major accomplishments over the life of the project, including their predicted or actual impact. This project was redirected in FY 2000 and assigned the primary responsibility of maintaining germplasm collections of plantain, banana, sapodilla, mamey sapote, cacao, atemoya, sugar apple, custard apple, and Garcinia. Research in this project also includes maintenance of tropical and temperate bamboos, the characterization and evaluation of crops in the primary collections, and the regeneration and in vitro preservation of virus free germplasm. The plantain collection was phenotypically characterized and evaluated on the basis of genomic composition of the various clones and using 20 plant, bunch and fruit morphological descriptors. The results allowed a reduction in the number of plantain accessions in the collection from 27 to 20 clones. The information obtained was submitted to GRIN for documentation and worldwide
availability. Plantain and banana clones with resistance to black sigatoka were introduced and evaluated. This germplasm was found to be very susceptible to viruses and of poor fruit quality. In addition to the plantain, banana and bamboo germplasm, the Unit has already introduced and field established 9 sapodilla, 9 Garcinia spp., 13 Annona spp., 40 mamey sapote, and 155 cacao accessions for collection establishment. About 75% of the plantain and banana clones in the germplasm collection at Mayaguez are infected with viruses, a situation which limits germplasm distribution and maintenance. To address this problem, banana clones were indexed for the most important viruses using the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and those free of viruses were cultured in vitro using tissue culture techniques. About 80% of the accessions in the banana collection are now virus free and being regenerated for re establishment in the field. Maintenance of virus free germplasm allows the
repository to distribute clones according to established international guidelines for the safe movement of plantain germplasm. Rapid clonal propagation using normal tissue culture protocols is hard to achieve in numerous plantain and banana clones. Consequently, distribution of large quantities of in-vitro germplasm of these clones is limited. A technique of splitting shoot tips longitudinally through their apex in order to induce multiple shoot formation proved to be very successful in hard-to-propagate clones. This procedure allows mass propagation of plantain and banana clones that are difficult to propagate and permits their distribution worldwide. 6. What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or technology likely to become available to the end- user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What are the constraints, if known, to the adoption and durability of the technology products? The Germplasm Resource Information Network
(GRIN) continues to be improved with the addition of more than 200 digital images of plantain racemes, cacao pods, mamey sapote and sapodilla fruits and tropical bamboo. These images are useful to breeders, agronomists and horticulturist in identifying clones with agronomic potential and/or other desirable traits. A total of 1,785 germplasm entries in the form of budwood, cuttings, rhizomes, corms, fruits, seed and other plant parts were made available to cooperators and local, national and international requesters during the year.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Irizarry, H., Goenaga,R., Gonzalez-Rodriguez, O. Characterization and grouping of plantain clones based on genotypic origin and morphological traits of economic importance. Journal of Agriculture of the University of Puerto Rico. 2002. v. 85(3-4). p. 105-126.
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Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04
Outputs
1. What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it (summarize project aims and objectives)? How serious is the problem? What does it matter? Diversity of tropical/subtropical germplasm has been reduced in natural habitats as a result of human activity, pests, diseases, and by weather- related causes. The USDA-ARS,Tropical Agriculture Research Station, is responsible for collecting, maintaining, preserving, characterizing, evaluating, and distributing tropical/ subtropical crops that are vegetatively propagated (clonal crops) such as cacao, banana, plantain, atemoya, sugar apple, custard apple, sapodilla, mamey sapote, and Garcinia spp. Seeds of these crops are desiccation sensitive and can only be stored for a short period (ie., recalcitrant seeds). For this reason, these crops are maintained as living collections in the field or under in- vitro (tissue culture) conditions. Efforts are made toward the regeneration and in-vitro
preservation of virus-free germplasm of plantain and banana. Accessions of these crops are being characterized and evaluated in replicated plots for superior productivity and other important plant traits. For example, plantain and banana are economically important crops in Puerto Rico with an annual farm gate value of over $83 million. Both crops are also commercially grown in Hawaii, Southern Florida, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These crops are affected by four major pathological problems: the yellow and black sigatoka, nematodes, the corm weevil and viruses. Among these, black sigatoka and viruses are the most destructive diseases. New accessions with resistance to black sigatoka are being released by international improvement programs but these have not been widely tested yet. It has been estimated that cacao diseases cause losses of up to 43% of the potential crop. These losses cause detrimental effects to growers and to the cacao industry in general. Identification of
high-yielding clones with resistance to major diseases of cacao and their subsequent increase, preservation and distribution will benefit growers worldwide. The responsibility for the maintenance of tropical and temperate bamboos, as well as backup collections of mango and avocado for the ARS location at Miami, FL, also falls under this project. The TARS bamboo collection consists of 94 accessions representing 17 tropical and 34 temperate species. This location is the only domestic site that assembles both tropical and temperate bamboos which have economic potential for reforestation, soil erosion control, landscaping, pulp and wood chips production. The maintenance of backup germplasm collections for ARS at Miami, FL, will safeguard elite germplasm against loss from weather- related causes. We propose to assemble in a domestic site germplasm of mamey sapote, sapodilla, atemoya, sugar apple, custard apple, and Garcinia because most of this germplasm is currently unsecured and
widely dispersed throughout regional and international research centers, commercial nurseries and botanical gardens without proper characterization, evaluation and documentation. The availability of this germplasm will complement other ongoing research programs in Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Florida and Hawaii. 2. List the milestones (indicators of progress) from your Project Plan. 1. Introduce or locally select and maintain living collections of tropical/ subtropical germplasm with economic potential for the warm-humid areas of the Continental and Insular U.S. 2. Multiply and preserve under aseptic laboratory conditions virus and disease- free clones of tropical/subtropical germplasm for its safe exchange and distribution. 3. Adopt or develop plant descriptors and molecular markers for the phenotypic and genotypic characterization of the germplasm in collections, and its proper documentation into the USDA-ARS, Genetic Resources Information Network (GRIN). 4. Evaluate and
select promising clones for yield and fruit quality, and tolerance to pests and diseases and abiotic stresses. 3. Milestones: A. List the milestones that were scheduled to be addresed in FY 2004. How many milestones did you fully or substantially meet in FY 2004 and indicate which ones were not fully or substantially met, briefly explain why not, and your plans to do so. 1. Introduce or locally select and maintain living collections of tropical/ subtropical germplasm with economic potential for the warm-humid areas of the Continental and Insular U.S. 2. Multiply and preserve under aseptic laboratory conditions virus and disease-free clones of tropical/subtropical germplasm for its safe exchange and distribution. 3. Adopt or develop plant descriptors and molecular markers for the phenotypic and genotypic characterization of the germplasm in collections, and its proper documentation into the USDA-ARS, Genetic Resources Information Network (GRIN). 4. Evaluate and select promising
clones for yield and fruit quality, and tolerance to pests and diseases and abiotic stresses. B. List the milestones that you expect to address over the next 3 years (FY 2005, 2006 & 2007). What do you expect to accomplish, year by year, over the next 3 years under each milestone? The Lead Scientist position in this CRIS project is currently vacant. Approval to postpone peer review of this project until the Winter 2005 Ad Hoc Session was granted by the Acting Associate Administrator. The Lead Scientist vacancy is expected to be filled in August 2004. 4. What were the most significant accomplishments this past year? A. Single most significant accomplishment during FY 2004 (one per Research Project): Rapid clonal propagation using normal tissue culture protocols is hard to achieve in numerous plantain and banana clones. Consequently, distribution of large quantities of in-vitro germplasm of these clones is limited. A technique of splitting shoot tips longitudinally through their
apex in order to induce multiple shoot formation proved to be very successful in hard-to- propagate clones. This procedure allows mass propagation of plantain and banana clones that are difficult to propagate and permits their distribution worldwide. B. Other significant accomplishment(s), if any: None to report. C. Significant activities that support special target populations: None to report. 5. Describe the major accomplishments over the life of the project, including their predicted or actual impact. This project was redirected in FY 2000 and assigned the primary responsibility of maintaining germplasm collections of plantain, banana, sapodilla, mamey sapote, cacao, atemoya, sugar apple, custard apple, and Garcinia. Research in this project also includes maintenance of tropical and temperate bamboos, the characterization and evaluation of crops in the primary collections, and the regeneration and in-vitro preservation of virus-free germplasm. The plantain collection was
phenotypically characterized and evaluated on the basis of genomic composition of the various clones and using 20 plant, bunch and fruit morphological descriptors. The results allowed a reduction in the number of plantain accessions in the collection from 27 to 20 clones. The information obtained was submitted to GRIN for documentation and worldwide availability. Plantain and banana clones with resistance to black sigatoka were introduced and evaluated. This germplasm was found to be very susceptible to viruses and of poor fruit quality. In addition to the plantain, banana and bamboo germplasm, the Unit has already introduced and field established 9 sapodilla, 9 Garcinia spp., 13 Annona spp., 40 mamey sapote, and 155 cacao accessions for collection establishment. About 75% of the plantain and banana clones in the germplasm collection at Mayaguez are infected with viruses, a situation which limits germplasm distribution and maintenance. To address this problem, banana clones
were indexed for the most important viruses using the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and those free of viruses were cultured in-vitro using tissue culture techniques. About 80% of the accessions in the banana collection are now virus-free and being regenerated for re-establishment in the field. Maintenance of virus-free germplasm allows the repository to distribute clones according to established international guidelines for the safe movement of plantain germplasm. 6. What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or technology likely to become available to the end- user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What are the constraints, if known, to the adoption and durability of the technology products? The Germplasm Resource Information Network (GRIN) continues to be improved with the addition of 180 digital images of banana racemes. These images are useful to breeders, agronomists and horticulturist in identifying clones with
agronomic potential and/or other desirable traits. A total of 3,154 germplasm entries in the form of budwood, cuttings, rhizomes, corms, fruits, seed and other plant parts were made available to cooperators and local, national and international requesters during the year.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Irizarry, H., Goenaga,R., Gonzalez-Rodriguez, O. Characterization and grouping of plantain clones based on genotypic origin and morphological traits of economic importance. Journal of Agriculture of the University of Puerto Rico. 2002. v. 85(3-4). p. 105-126.
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Progress 10/01/02 to 09/30/03
Outputs
1. What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it? Diversity of tropical/subtropical germplasm has been reduced in natural habitats as a result of human activity, pests, diseases, and by weather- related causes. The USDA-ARS, Tropical Agriculture Research Station, is responsible for collecting, maintaining, preserving, characterizing, evaluating, and distributing tropical/subtropical crops that are vegetatively propagated (clonal crops) such as cacao, banana, plantain, atemoya, sugar apple, custard apple, sapodilla, mamey sapote, and Garcinia spp. Seeds of these crops are desiccation sensitive and can only be stored for a short period (ie., recalcitrant seeds). For this reason, these crops are maintained as living collections in the field or under in-vitro (tissue culture) conditions. Efforts are made toward the regeneration and in-vitro preservation of virus-free germplasm of plantain and banana. Accessions of these crops are being
characterized and evaluated in replicated plots for superior productivity and other important plant traits. In collaboration with other scientists, molecular characterization of accessions will be assessed and plants arising from various methods of propagation (tissue culture, cuttings, somatic embryos, etc.) will be evaluated for yield in the field. The responsibility for the maintenance of tropical and temperate bamboos, as well as backup collections of mango and avocado for the ARS location at Miami, FL, also falls under this project. 2. How serious is the problem? Why does it matter? Plantain and banana are economically important crops in Puerto Rico with an annual farm gate value of over $83 million. Both crops are also commercially grown in Hawaii, Southern Florida, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These crops are affected by four major pathological problems: the yellow and black sigatoka, nematodes, the corm weevil and viruses. Among these, black sigatoka and viruses are the
most destructive diseases. New accessions with resistance to black sigatoka are being released by international improvement programs but these have not been widely tested yet. Currently, there are 28 plantain and 84 banana accessions in the collection. About 75% of these are infected with viruses, therefore, regeneration of virus-free germplasm is of critical importance. It has been estimated that cacao diseases cause losses of up to 43% of the potential crop. These losses cause detrimental effects to growers and to the cacao industry in general. Identification of high-yielding clones with resistance to major diseases of cacao and their subsequent increase, preservation and distribution will benefit growers worldwide. The TARS bamboo collection consists of 94 accessions representing 17 tropical and 34 temperate species. This location is the only domestic site that assembles both tropical and temperate bamboos which have economic potential for reforestation, soil erosion
control, landscaping, pulp and wood chips production. The maintenance of backup germplasm collections for ARS at Miami, FL, will safeguard elite germplasm against loss from weather-related causes. We propose to assemble in a domestic site germplasm of mamey sapote, sapodilla, atemoya, sugar apple, custard apple, and Garcinia because most of this germplasm is currently unsecured and widely dispersed throughout regional and international research centers, commercial nurseries and botanical gardens without proper characterization, evaluation and documentation. The availability of this germplasm will complement other ongoing research programs in Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Florida and Hawaii. 3. How does it relate to the National Program(s) and National Program Component(s) to which it has been assigned? The research conducted in this project will contribute to the acquisition, preservation, characterization, evaluation, and distribution of tropical/ subtropical fruit crop
genetic resources which are problem areas of component 1 of National Program 301. This project will increase the relatively narrow germplasm base of some neglected fruit crops and provides for the identification of superior genotypes that can later be used in crop improvement programs. 4. What were the most significant accomplishments this past year? A. Single Most Significant Accomplishment During FY 2003: About 75% of the plantain and banana clones in the germplasm collection at Mayaguez are infected with viruses, a situation which limits germplasm distribution and maintenance. To address this problem, banana clones were indexed for the most important viruses using the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and those free of viruses were cultured in vitro using tissue culture techniques. About 80% of the banana collection is now virus-free and being regenerated for re-establishment in the field. Maintenance of virus-free germplasm allows the repository to distribute clones according
to established international guidelines for the safe movement of plantain germplasm. B. Other Significant Accomplishment(s): Nothing to report. 5. Describe the major accomplishments over the life of the project, including their predicted or actual impact. This project was redirected in FY 2000 and assigned the primary responsibility of collections of plantain, banana, sapodilla, mamey sapote, cacao, atemoya, sugar apple, custard apple, Garcinia. Research in this project also includes maintenance of tropical and temperate bamboos, the characterization and evaluation of crops in the primary collections, and the regeneration and in-vitro preservation of virus-free germplasm. The plantain collection was phenotypically characterized and evaluated on the basis of genomic composition of the various clones and using 20 plant, bunch and fruit morphological descriptors. The results allowed a reduction in the number of plantain accessions in the collection from 27 to 20 clones. The
information obtained was submitted to GRIN for documentation and worldwide availability. Plantain and banana clones with resistance to black sigatoka were introduced and evaluated. This germplasm was found to be very susceptible to viruses and of poor fruit quality. In addition to the plantain, banana and bamboo germplasm, the Unit has already introduced and field established 9 sapodilla, 9 Garcinia spp., 13 Annona spp., 40 mamey sapote, and 159 cacao accessions for collection establishment. 6. What do you expect to accomplish, year by year, over the next 3 years? FY2004: During this fiscal year CRIS 6635-21000-034-00D, 'Introduction, increase, maintenance, evaluation and distribution of cacao germplasm,' was terminated and activities merged to this project. We will maintain, characterize and distribute germplasm of primary crops: cacao, banana, plantain, sapodilla, mamey sapote, atemoya, sugar apple, custard apple, Garcinia and bamboo. When appropriate, plant trait descriptors
will be entered into the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), a national database containing detailed information on crops. Maintenance of backup collections of mango and avocado to support the germplasm program for the USDA-ARS, Miami, Florida location will continue. Multiply, preserve and distribute under asceptic conditions germplasm of plantain (20 clones) and bananas (83 clones). Continue work with virus detection in these crops. The process of introducing disease resistant cacao clones from Reading, UK, will be initiated. Comparison of various propagating methods in cacao (e.g., cuttings, grafting) with plants produced by somatic embryogenesis will continue. Tissue culture protocols for micro propagation of cacao will be developed or improved. FY 2005: Maintain, characterize and distribute germplasm in primary collections. Adapt and/or develop descriptors for the phenotypic characterization of sapodilla, mamey sapote and Annona germplasm. Determine genetic
diversity in the primary collections through molecular methods. Cooperate in maintaining backup collections of mango and avocado to support the USDA-ARS, Miami, Florida germplasm program. Complete virus indexing of plantain and banana germplasm. The cacao collection will be maintained and phenotypic characterization will be initiated. Field research on performance of cacao accessions propagated by somatic embryogenesis will continue. Most accessions in the plantain, banana and cacao collections will be grown in-vitro (tissue culture) for easier and safer distribution. FY 2006: Maintain, distribute and characterize primary crops. Continue with the application of molecular techniques to determine genetic diversity in the primary collections. Determine in field studies clonal fidelity of in- vitro preserved Musa germplasm. The cacao collection will be maintained, characterized, and phenotypic data entered into GRIN. Field research on performance of cacao clones propagated by
somatic embryogenesis will continue. Characterization of cacao pods from clones in the collection will begin. 7. What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or technology likely to become available to the end- user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What are the constraints, if known, to the adoption and durability of the technology products? The Germplasm Resource Information Network (GRIN) continues to be improved with the addition of images of banana racemes. These images are useful to breeders, agronomists and horticulturists in identifying clones with agronomic potential and/or other desirable traits. A total of 1474 germplasm entries in the form of budwood, cuttings, rhizomes, corms, fruits, seed and other plant parts were made available to cooperators and local, national and international requesters during the year.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Irizarry, H., Goenaga,R., Gonzalez-Rodriguez, O. Characterization and grouping of plantain clones based on genotypic origin and morphological traits of economic importance. Journal of Agriculture of the University of Puerto Rico. 2002. v. 85(3-4). p. 105-126.
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Progress 10/01/01 to 09/30/02
Outputs
1. What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it? Diversity of tropical/subtropical germplasm has been reduced in natural habitats as a result of human activity, pests, diseases and viruses, and by weather-related causes. We propose to preserve in ex-situ germplasm that has economic potential for the warm-humid areas of the Continental and insular U.S. Primary field collections of plantain and banana (Musa spp.) are being expanded with the introduction of new germplasm resistant to black sigatoka (Mycosphaerella fijiensis Morelet), and to other major pests and diseases. Efforts are being continued toward the regeneration and in-vitro preservation of virus-free plantain and banana germplasm. Thirteen commercial clones of Annona including sugar apple (A. squamosa), custard apple (A. reticulata) and hybrids of atemoya and cherimoya (A. reticulata) were planted in replicated plots for proper characterization and documentation. We are in
the process of establishing new field collections of sapodilla (Manilkara zapota), mamey sapote (Pouteria sapota) and Garcinia spp. Some of this germplasm is already in the custody of the repository. The project is also responsible for the maintenance of tropical and temperate bamboos, as well as backup collections of mango (Mangifera indica L.) and avocado (Persea americana) for the ARS location at Miami, FL. 2. How serious is the problem? Why does it matter? Plantain and banana are economically important crops in Puerto Rico with an annual farm gate value of over $83 million. Both crops are also commercially grown in Hawaii, Southern Florida, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These crops are affected by four major pathological problems: the yellow and black sigatoka (Mycosphaerella fijiensis Morelet), nematodes, the corm weevil (Cosmopolites sordidus Germar) and viruses. Among these, black sigatoka and viruses are the most destructive diseases. Although black sigatoka has not been
as yet reported in Puerto Rico, it is already present in the neighboring island of the Dominican Republic, Southern Florida, and in Hawaii. New Musa clones with resistance to black sigatoka are being released by improvement programs located at the "Fundacion Hondurena para la Investigacion Agricola (FHIA)", Honduras; and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Nigeria. Currently, there are 28 plantain and 84 banana accessions in the collection, some showing different plant architecture, possessing a wide range of horticultural traits and demonstrating differential reaction to pests, diseases, and viruses under field conditions. About 75% of the plantain clones in the collection are infected with viruses. The TARS bamboo collection consists of 94 accessions representing 17 tropical and 34 temperate species. This location is the only domestic site that assembles both tropical and temperate bamboos which have unlimited economic potentials for reforestation, soil
erosion control, construction, landscaping, pulp and wood chips production. The maintenance of back-up germplasm collections for ARS at Miami, FL, will safeguard elite germplasm against loss from weather-related causes. We propose to assemble in a domestic site germplasm of mamey sapote, sapodilla, Annona and Garcinia because most of this germplasm is currently unsecured and widely dispersed throughout regional and international research centers, commercial nurseries and botanical gardens without proper characterization, evaluation and documentation. The availability of this germplasm will complement other ongoing research programs in Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Florida and Hawaii. 3. How does it relate to the national Program(s) and National Program Component(s) to which it has been assigned? National Program 301: Plant, Microbial, and Insect Genetic Resources, Genomics and Genetic Improvement. This research involves the introduction, evaluation, characterization and
distribution of virus-free tropical/subtropical germplasm, and its preservation for long-term accessibility. The germplasm will be characterized for the utilization of useful genes in crop improvement and to minimize genetic redundancy. 4. What was your most significant accomplishment this past year? A. Single Most Significant Accomplishment During FY 2002: Little is known about nitrogen requirement of banana grown on highly weathered Ultisol soils. A 40-month field experiment was conducted at Corozal, Puerto Rico, to assess five nitrogen rates (0, 85, 170, 255 and 340 kg/ha/crop) on yield of banana grown on a weathered Ultisol. Total nitrogen uptake, leaf nitrogen concentration, and total dry matter production increased linearly with increments in nitrogen rates, however, maximum yield of 57,060 kg/ha/crop was obtained with a nitrogen application of 240 kg/ha. This study has a direct impact on banana growers and Extension personnel as it provides recommendations on nitrogen
fertilization for banana grown on weathered soils. B. Other Significant Accomplishment(s): Nothing to report. 5. Describe your major accomplishments over the life of the project, including their predicted or actual impact? This project was redirected in FY 2000 and assigned the primary responsibility of collections of Musa spp., Manilkara zapota, Pouteria sapota, Annona spp. and Garcinia spp. We are also responsible for the maintenance of tropical and temperate bamboos, the characterization and evaluation of crops in the primary collections, and the regeneration and in-vitro preservation of virus-free germplasm. The plantain collection was characterized and evaluated on the basis of genomic composition of the various clones and using 20 plant, bunch and fruit morphological descriptors. The results allowed us to reduce the number of plantain accessions in the collection from 27 to 20 clones. The information obtained was submitted to GRIN for documentation and worldwide
availability. We introduced and evaluated black sigatoka resistant plantain and banana clones. The limitation of this germplasm is the high incidence of virus infection and poor fruit quality. In addition to the Musa spp. and bamboo germplasm, we have already introduced and planted 9 sapodilla, 9 Garcinia spp., 13 Annona spp. and 40 mamey sapote accessions for collection establishment. 6. What do you expect to accomplish, year by year, over the next 3 years? FY 2003: Maintain, characterize and distribute germplasm of banana, plantain, sapodilla, mamey sapote, Annona, Garcinia and bamboo. When appropriate phenotypic descriptors will be entered into GRIN. Maintain backup collections of mango and avocado to support the germplasm program of the USDA-ARS, Miami, Florida. Multiply and preserve under asceptic conditions germplasm of plantain (28 clones) and banana (78 clones) for virus indexing using DAS-ELISA or PCR. FY 2004: Maintain and distribute germplasm in primary collections
of banana, sapodilla, mamey sapote, Annona, plantain, bamboo and Garcinia spp. Adapt and/or develop descriptors for the phenotypic characterization of sapodilla, mamey sapote and Annona germplasm. Determine genetic diversity in the primary collections. Cooperate in maintaining backup collections of mango and avocado to support the USDA- ARS, Miami, Florida germplasm program. Index germplasm of plantain and banana for the presence of viruses prevalent in these crops by using DAS- ELISA or PCR. FY 2005: Maintain, distribute and characterize primary collections of banana, sapodilla, mamey sapote, Annona, plantain, bamboo and Garcinia spp. Continue with the application of molecular techniques to determine genetic diversity in the primary collections. Determine in field studies clonal fidelity of in-vitro preserved Musa germplasm. Eliminate plantain and banana germplasm infected with viruses through the use of thermo therapy or meristem culture. In case of infection with banana
streak badnavirus, the material will be discarded and new one collected. 7. What technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the technology likely to become available to the end user (industry, farmer other scientist)? What are the constraints, if known, to the adoption durability of the technology? Developed a classification scheme for plantains that provides for the clustering and separation of clones regardless of their geographical origin and common names, and offers the opportunity for breeders, agronomists and horticulturists to learn about the agronomic potential of the clones. Phenotypic characterization of 27 plantain clones in the Musa collection was made and posted into the GRIN database for worldwide availability to breeders, curators and other scientists. A total of 1000 germplasm entries in the form of budwood, cuttings, rhizomes, corms, fruits, seed and other plant parts were delivered to cooperators, and to local national and international requesters
during the year.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Irizarry, H., Goenaga,R., Gonzalez-Rodriguez, O. Characterization and grouping of plantain clones based on genotypic origin and morphological traits of economic importance. Journal of Agriculture of the University of Puerto Rico. 2002. v. 85(3-4). p. 105-126.
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