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COLLEGE OF MICRONESIA

LAND GRANT PROGRAM
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  • COLLEGE OF MICRONESIA LAND GRANT PROGRAM

Kosrae

In vitro mass-scale, disease-free pineapple seedling production: Research and multiple demonstrations on sustainable, climate-smart and organic commercial cultivation

KOSRAE, FSM. Dr. Virendra M. Verma, Researcher and Extension Specialist, Kosrae Agricultural Experiment Station.

The pineapple (Ananas comosus L. Merrill), a tropical plant with edible multiple fruit consisting of coalesced berries, is the most economically significant plant in the Bromeliaceae family.

Pineapples are delicious tropical fruit that have been celebrated for centuries for their distinct and unique taste and miraculous health benefits. The health and medicinal benefits of pineapple include the ability to improve respiratory, digestive and immune systems. Pineapple consumption cures coughs and colds, strengthens bones, improves oral health, boosts eye health, increases heart health and blood circulation, reduces inflammation, fights off infections and parasites, prevents cancer, and also helps in losing weight (Szalay, 2014).

‘Pineapple micropropagation and commercial cultivation to enhance productivity in Micronesia’, is an integrated research, outreach and education project approved by the United States Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA) for the Micronesian region. According to Dr. Virendra M. Verma, the project director of this project, enhancing pineapple production in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) will help in overcoming the regional agricultural challenges primarily, the non-availability of disease-free and uniform seedlings, shortage of trained agricultural professionals, and limited acquaintance of farmers with sustainable, commercial cultivation practices. By providing a means of sustainable, climate-smart and organic commercial cultivation of pineapple, this project will create opportunities of income generation for local farmers, and will ultimately result in improved food self-sufficiency, and nutritional security in the region.

This project with multiple sites across the Micronesian region is first of its kind not only in the Micronesian region but also in the Pacific region because it is integrating and employing multiple latest tools and technologies such as plant biotechnology, horticulture, microbiology, plant physiology and plant pathology for sustainable, climate-smart and organic commercial cultivation of pineapple. The project is of great significance as it is specifically designed to optimize in vitro multiplication protocol and nursery management systems to produce elite and disease-free pineapple seedlings in bulk quantities in the Micronesian region. The project is utilizing plant biotechnological techniques of in vitro mass-scale cloning for uniform pineapple plantlet production, greenhouse acclimatization of cloned pineapple plantlets for mass-scale, disease-free seedling production, and organic fertilizers to provide essential nutrients and maintain beneficial soil microorganisms along with appropriate site-specific and climate-smart horticultural, plant physiological and integrated pest management practices. The project activities also include educating local farmers in site-specific sustainable agricultural practices, and providing appropriate recommendations and training for sustainable, climate-smart and organic commercial pineapple production in the region.

Successful implementation of this project has resulted in the development of a high efficiency and reliable, in vitro cloning method for mass multiplication and production of elite, uniform and diseases-free pineapple plantlets, and acclimatization of thousands of cloned plantlets into uniform and diseases-free seedlings of selected pineapple cultivars such as Ananas comosus cv. Kosraean and Ananas comosus cv. Hawaiian through appropriate nursery management systems. Preparation has been started for designing, implementing and conducting research trials for commercial pineapple cultivation at multiple sites as well as for collecting data for analysis, and the development and publication of a commercial pineapple cultivation guide to specifically suit the needs of local farmers. Recommendations for sustainable pineapple production are being provided through training workshops, hands-on trainings, farm visits, and field days. Three pilot sites in the Micronesian region, specifically in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI) are being developed as demonstration sites to carry out research, outreach and education activities of the project to encourage and promote sustainable commercial pineapple production among local farmers in the region.

This project is providing opportunities for income generation and profitable self-employment to the participating farmers. In addition, it is serving as an excellent example to encourage other farmers and rural communities in successfully adopting the sustainable, climate-smart and organic commercial pineapple production practices.

Szalay, J (2014) Pineapple: health benefits, risks & nutrition facts (Live science reference). Retrieved from http://www.livescience.com/45487-pineapple-nutrition.html

In vitro cultures of pineapple.

 

In vitro multiplication of pineapple.

 

Pineapple flowering (Ananas comosus cv. Kosraean).

 

Pineapple cultivar (Ananas comosus cv. Kosraean).

 

Pineapples (Ananas comosus cv. Kosraean).

 

Pineapple flowering (Ananas comosus cv. Hawaiian).

 

Pineapple (Ananas comosus cv. Hawaiian).

 

Pineapples (Ananas comosus cv. Hawaiian).

 

Pineapple flowering (Ananas comosus cv. Hawaiian thorn-less).

 

Pineapple (Ananas comosus cv. Hawaiian thorn-less).

 

Pineapple (Ananas comosus cv. Hawaiian thorn-less).

 

Pineapple demonstration plot.

 

Pineapple research trials.

 

Pineapple cultivar Hawaiian thorn-less research trials.

 

Pineapple cultivar Hawaiian research trials.

 

Pineapple cultivar Kosraean research trials.

Highly efficient in vitro multiplication of commercially important black pepper cultivar, and sustainable commercial cultivation in Micronesia

KOSRAE, FSM. Dr. Virendra M. Verma, Researcher and Extension Specialist, Kosrae Agricultural Experiment Station.

Black Pepper Micropropagation for Elite Seedling Production: Comparison of Local Practices and Commercial Cultivation Methods, is a multi-state research project approved by the United States Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA) for the Micronesian region. The project director of this project, Dr. Virendra M. Verma, shared that this project involves multiplication of elite and disease-free black pepper seedlings, and a comparative research study of local practices and commercial cultivation methods. The project aims towards developing sustainable black pepper production systems in Micronesia by providing elite and disease-free seedlings, appropriate recommendations for commercial black pepper production, and developing skills and improving the agricultural knowledge of local farmers. Adoption of new practices such as micropropagation of black pepper for improved and enhanced productivity will ultimately help in reviving local black pepper industry.

This project is of great significance as it is specifically designed to develop black pepper micropropagation and nursery management systems to produce elite seedlings in bulk quantities to ensure the year-round availability of identical, disease-free and high quality planting material, find alternatives for tree fern supports, determine appropriate fertilizer type and doses, along with the development and publication of a commercial black pepper cultivation guide appropriate for Micronesia.

Black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) is a flowering vine of Piperaceae family, which is often cultivated for its berries that are usually dried and used as a spice. Native to the humid jungles of the Malabar Coast of Southwestern India, black pepper is currently cultivated worldwide in the tropics. In Micronesia, it is gaining commercial importance as an important cash crop. Traditionally, the trunks of large native tree fern (Cyathea nigricans), serve as supports for commercial black pepper cultivation. Two cultivars of the tree ferns are traditionally recognized, the preferred cultivar produces juice which stains red, and the other produces a greyish juice. However, the population of these tree ferns in the region is rapidly declining due to use of tree trunks for construction of traditional houses, and their short life-span.

In this project, an economically feasible, efficient, rapid and reproducible in vitro multiplication protocol was developed for a locally preferred and commercially important black pepper cultivar (Piper nigrum cv. Srilanka). Murashige and Skoog, 1962 medium (MS) was used throughout the study. The cultures were initiated by inoculating shoot meristems as explants on MS medium augmented with various concentrations and combinations of cytokinins and auxins. To prevent the browning of explants, 100mgL-1 ascorbic acid was added to all media. The best culture initiation was observed on the MS medium augmented with 5µM 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). For further growth and subsequent multiplication, the established cultures were transferred on MS medium augmented with 1µM BAP. The number of multiple shoots produced from each explant after two subcultures varied from 8 to 20. A 16-h photoperiod with a temperature of 24oC day and night, light intensity of 40µmol m-2 s-1, and 60% relative humidity were maintained for multiplication. Developed multiple shoots were transferred on MS medium augmented with 2µM indole-3-acetic acid for rooting. Complete plantlets were transferred to soil: vermiculate (1:1, v/v) mixture in 72-cell trays and acclimatized with 68% survival rate in 10 weeks. Fully acclimatized plants were planted in the field.

Considering the extremely limited availability of traditional tree fern supports and their very short lifespan, non-living supports such as reinforced cement-concrete standards have been specifically designed and constructed at the project’s pilot site to support the vines of fully acclimatized black pepper plants in the field. In addition, raised beds to ensure perfect water drainage, organic fertilizers for soil amendment along with organic mulching, and automatic fertilizer injectors to provide perfect nutrition, were used for the establishment and maintenance of black pepper plantations.

The successful implementation of this project has resulted in the development of a high efficiency in vitro multiplication method for the mass production of elite, diseases-free seedlings, and the acclimatization of hundreds of tissue-culture raised plants of selected black pepper cultivar through appropriate nursery management systems. Preparation has been done for designing, implementing and conducting research trials for commercial black pepper cultivation at multiple sites. The development and publication of a commercial black pepper cultivation guide to specifically suit the needs of local farmers, is also underway. To carry out research, extension, and education activities of the project, two sites in Micronesia will be developed as demonstration sites. At these sites appropriate recommendations will be provided for sustainable black pepper production through training workshops, hands-on trainings, farm visits, and field days, which will encourage and promote sustainable commercial black pepper production among local farmers in the region.

To disseminate the scientific and technical knowledge gained from the project further, Dr. Verma has participated as a prominent speaker and resource person in various conferences. His contributions specifically informed abiotic and biotic stress management for sustainable pepper production in Micronesia, and served as a guiding source for other black pepper producing countries.

In-vitro cultures of black pepper.
Acclimatized black pepper plants in nursery.
Reinforced cement concrete standards.
Soil amendments with organic fertilizers around reinforced cement concrete standards.
Soil amendments with organic fertilizers.
Raised bed for perfect water drainage and in vitro multiplied disease-free seedlings.
Establishment of black pepper plants in field.
Dr. Verma contributing valuable scientific and technical knowledge with other black pepper producing countries.
Honoring Dr. Virendra M. Verma as main technical and prominent resource person.

Development of Salt tolerant giant swamp taro (Cyrtosperma merkusii (Hassk.) Schott) and soft taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott) through tissue culture

KOSRAE, FSM. Dr. Virendra M. Verma, Researcher and Extension Specialist, Kosrae Agricultural Experiment Station.

Salinity and drought still remain the major abiotic stresses that limit as well as pose a threat to agricultural production in many parts of the world including Micronesia. The research project entitled, “In Vitro Selection for Salt Tolerance in Taro,” focused on developing salt tolerant varieties of giant swamp taro (Cyrtosperma merkusii (Hassk.) Schott), and soft taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott). Approved by the United States Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA), this project incorporated both plant biotechnology and breeding methods for the selection, assessment, and development of salt tolerant taro varieties. The project director of this project, Dr. Virendra M. Verma, shared that since taro is grown in lowland swamp areas across Micronesia, the crop is especially vulnerable to damage from saltwater. Considering the traditional and cultural importance given to giant swamp taro and soft taro as the most important staple food crops in the Micronesia region, the availability of salt tolerant taro varieties through this research project, is of great significance.

Giant swamp taro and soft taro, members of the family Araceae, are ancient crops that are grown throughout the humid tropics for their edible corms, leaves and petioles as well as for traditional uses. Nutritionally, taro is rich in fiber, calcium, potassium, iron, vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, and vitamin C. The corms of taro are superior to potatoes in nutritional value, containing a higher proportion of proteins, calcium and phosphorus. The vitamin B content in taro corms is equivalent to that of cabbage and twice that of potato. Taro also contains greater amounts of vitamin B-complex than whole milk. In corms, the main bulk starch is present in very fine grains which make them easily digestible. The corms can be boiled, roasted, fried as chips or cooked in curries. The young leaves and petioles of soft taro are also used as food and cooked like any other green vegetable. The cooked leaves of soft taro have the same nutritional value of spinach.

Salinity, an abiotic stress that combines elements of water deficiency and sodium toxicity resulting in lost crop yield and arable land, is among the most serious and widespread of agricultural problems on the Micronesian islands. Giant swamp taro and soft taro are among the most important staple food crops in the region. Cultivated for local consumption as well as for export, these crops contribute significantly to the regional socio-economic growth and provide livelihood to almost all island people. Considered as the crucial staple crops for ensuring food, nutritional, and economic security, taros are placed on high agricultural priority in the region. However, the limitations in availability of salt-tolerant germplasm, and disease-free and elite seedlings, are a major bottleneck in taro production. Therefore, the efforts to develop salt-tolerant plants are of immense importance to increase crop productivity. In recent years, tissue culture based in vitro selection has emerged as a feasible and cost-effective tool for developing and/or screening salt tolerant germplasm.

The research study undertaken in Dr. Verma’s project involved assessment and development of salt tolerance in giant swamp taro and soft taro through in vitro, greenhouse, and field selection of tissue-culture raised plants. To establish aseptic cultures of collected taro germplasm, various in vitro experiments were performed. Different concentrations of sodium chloride were used for in vitro selection of salt tolerant germplasm. This in vitro selected germplasm was further evaluated for salt tolerance in the greenhouse, and was finally field evaluated at eight sites in four replications. In vitro selected germplasm of salt tolerant taros performed very well at coastal sites. Results based on various physiological and morphological parameters collected during this research are presented in international conferences, and a manuscript is under preparation to be published in peer-reviewed and reputed scientific journals.

The cultivation of the developed salt tolerant taro varieties in the Micronesian region through this research project would not only lead to the successful production of taro but would also contribute for the food and nutritional security of the region, and thereby, play a critical role in the preservation of traditional socio-cultural life of the Micronesian people.

In vitro cultures of salt tolerant soft taro.
In vitro cultures of salt tolerant soft taro.
Salt tolerant soft taros in field for evaluation.
Salt tolerant soft taros in field for evaluation.

 

In vitro cultures of salt tolerant giant swamp taro.
In vitro cultures of salt tolerant giant swamp taro.
Salt tolerant giant swamp taros in field for evaluation.
Salt tolerant giant swamp taros in field for evaluation.

High efficiency micropropagation of pineapple for mass-scale elite seedling production

KOSRAE, FSM. Dr. Virendra M. Verma, Researcher and Extension Specialist, Kosrae Agricultural Experiment Station

Pineapple Micropropagation and Commercial Cultivation to Enhance Productivity in Micronesia, is a multi-state research project approved by the United States Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA) for the Micronesian region. The project director of this project, Dr. Virendra M. Verma, shared that this project focuses on enhancing pineapple production in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) because non-availability of disease-free and elite seedlings, shortage of trained agricultural professionals, and limited acquaintance of farmers with commercial cultivation techniques have significantly restricted pineapple production in the Micronesian region. The ultimate aim of this project is to create opportunities of income generation for local farmers through providing a means of sustainable commercial pineapple cultivation, and thereby, improve food self-sufficiency, and nutritional security in the Micronesian region.

This project is of great significance as it is specifically designed to optimize micropropagation protocol and nursery management systems to produce elite and disease-free pineapple seedlings in bulk quantities in the Micronesian region. The project utilized biotechnological techniques for micropropagation and greenhouse acclimatization of tissue-cultured plants. The project activities also include educating local farmers in sustainable agriculture practices, and providing appropriate recommendations and training for commercial pineapple production.

The pineapple (Ananas comosus L. Merrill), a tropical plant with edible multiple fruit consisting of coalesced berries, is the most economically significant plant in the Bromeliaceae family. The project involved undertaking a research study to develop an economically feasible, efficient, rapid and reproducible multiplication protocol for two local commercially important pineapple cultivars (Ananas comosus cv. Kosraean and Ananas comosus cv. Hawaiian). A highly efficient in vitro multiplication method for both cultivars was developed by using apical and lateral meristems. Murashige and Skoog, 1962 medium (MS) was used throughout the study. The cultures were initiated on MS medium augmented with various combinations and concentrations of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). The medium augmented with 4.5µM BAP and 2µM NAA proved best for culture establishment. For further growth and subsequent multiplication, established cultures were first transferred on MS medium augmented with 9µM BAP and 3.5µM NAA, and later on the MS medium without any growth regulators. The number of multiple shoots produced from each explant after two subcultures varied from 18 to 35. A 16-h photoperiod with a temperature of 25oC day and night, light intensity of 80µmol m-2 s-1, and 60% relative humidity were maintained for multiplication. Many micropropagated shoots formed roots while they were still on the multiplication medium. However, maximum rooting was observed on MS medium augmented with 0.5µM NAA and 0.5µM BAP. Rooted plants were transferred to soil: compost (10:1, v/v) mixture in pots and acclimatized with 93% survival rate. Hundreds of fully acclimatized, tissue-culture produced pineapple plants are ready to be planted in the field.

Successful implementation of this project has resulted in the development of a high efficiency micropropagation method for mass production of elite, diseases-free seedlings, and acclimatization of hundreds of tissue-culture raised plants of selected pineapple varieties through appropriate nursery management systems. Preparation has been started for designing, implementing and conducting research trials for commercial pineapple cultivation at multiple sites as well as for collecting data for analysis, and the development and publication of a commercial pineapple cultivation guide to specifically suit the needs of local farmers. Recommendations will be provided for sustainable pineapple production through training workshops, hands-on trainings, farm visits, and field days. Three pilot sites in the Micronesian region, specifically in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI) will be developed as demonstration sites to carry out research, extension, and education activities of the project to encourage and promote sustainable commercial pineapple production among local farmers in the region.

Acclimatization of pineapple plantlets in greenhouse
Acclimatization of pineapple plantlets in greenhouse.
Acclimatized pineapple plants in nursery.
Acclimatized pineapple plants in nursery.

 

Acclimatized pineapple plants ready for field transfer.
Acclimatized pineapple plants ready for field transfer.

 

 

 

USDA-NIFA approved second multi-state/site research project on pineapple for Micronesia

KOSRAE, FSM. Dr. Virendra M. Verma, Researcher and Extension Specialist, Kosrae Agricultural Experiment Station.

Tissue cultured pineapple plants.
Tissue cultured pineapple plants.

The United States Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA) has approved another multi-state/site research project for Micronesian region. The project entitled: Pineapple Micropropagation and Commercial Cultivation to Enhance Productivity in Micronesia, is the second multi-state/site research project initiated after recent recommendations from the College of Micronesia’s Board of Regents. The project director of this project Dr. Virendra M. Verma shared that this project aims to enhance pineapple production in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) through micropropagation and commercial cultivation. Non-availability of disease-free and elite seedlings, shortage of trained agricultural professionals, and limited acquaintance of farmers with commercial cultivation techniques have significantly restricted pineapple production in Micronesia. This project aims to enhance pineapple production to improve food self-sufficiency, nutritional security, and provide means of income generation in Micronesia.

This project is of great significance as it is specifically designed to optimize micropropagation and nursery management systems to produce elite and disease-free pineapple seedlings in bulk quantities, provide appropriate recommendations and adequate opportunities to educate and train local farmers in sustainable and commercial pineapple production. Pineapple (Ananas comosus L. Merrill), the most economically significant plant in the Bromeliaceae family, is one of the most important horticultural crop in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. In Micronesia, pineapple is a desirable fruit in traditional feasts. The crop also has great potential for export. Mainly grown for fresh and canned fruit and juice, pineapple is the only source of bromelain enzyme that is used in pharmaceuticals and as a meat-tenderizing agent. The fresh fruit is very low in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium. It is also a good source of dietary fiber, thiamin, vitamin B6 and copper, and a very good source of vitamin C and manganese.

To overcome the limitations affecting pineapple production in Micronesia, the project activities include: Collection of pineapple germplasm of local cultivars and establish in vitro cultures of collected germplasm; refinement of micropropagation protocol for multiplication of collected pineapple germplasm; optimization of acclimatization and nursery management systems to produce elite seedlings for commercial pineapple cultivation; designing, implementing and conducting research trials for commercial pineapple cultivation at multiple sites and collection of data for analysis; and development and publication of commercial pineapple cultivation guide to specifically suit the needs of local farmers. Recommendations will be provided for sustainable pineapple production through training workshops, hands-on trainings, farm visits, and field days. Two pilot sites in Micronesia i.e., one each at the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI) will be developed as demonstration sites for research, extension, and education activities of the project aiming to promote commercial pineapple production.

The extension and outreach activities will develop positive attitudes, zeal for learning sustainable cultivation techniques and farming aspects of pineapple, and will change the behavior of the participating farmers. Participants of extension and outreach activities will be guided to adopt recommended techniques and start commercial pineapple production farms. The ultimate goal of the project is to develop sustainable commercial pineapple production systems in Micronesia through providing elite, disease-free pineapple seedlings and by providing training to local farmers to improve their knowledge and skills for sustainable, commercial pineapple production.