Caribbean Food Crops Society 44th Annual Meeting July 13th - 17th, 2008  Miami, Florida, USA

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ORAL PRESENTATIONS

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

T-STAR INVASIVE SPECIES SYMPOSIUM

8:00 – 8:30 am

Towards a Caribbean Basin Invasive Species Safeguarding Strategy Framework: From Grenada 2003 to Miami 2008

Dr. Joan A. Dusky, UF/IFAS, Gainesville, FL, moderator; Ms. Dionne Clarke-Harris, CARDI, Jamaica, West Indies, rapporteur

Panel Discussion:  No Abstract

8:30 – 8:45 am

Review and Update: The Caribbean Invasive Species Working Group   (CISWG)

Bruce Lauckner. Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute, St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago. blauckner@cardi.org

The Caribbean Invasive Species Working Group (CISWG) was formed following an initiative of the Caribbean Food Crops Society when they held a special 1-day session on invasive species at the 39^th Annual Meeting in Grenada in 2003. At this session scientists, policy makers and trade specialists from throughout the Caribbean region discussed the issues caused by introduced pests and pathogens.

CISWG is a networking and information sharing facility chaired by CARDI, which has been officially recognised by the CARICOM Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED). CISWG has also been officially recognised by the non CARICOM member governments of Dominican Republic and Costa Rica. The major purposes of CISWG are outlined. The geographical area of interest is all countries in the Caribbean and all countries with borders on the Caribbean Sea. Apart from CARDI the other formal members of CISWG are (in no particular order), CARICOM Secretariat, University of Florida, CABI, CIRAD (France), IDIAF (Dominican Republic), The Nature Conservancy (USA), FAO, IICA, PAHO, USDA/APHIS, University of the West Indies, Florida A&M University and the University of Puerto Rico. In addition all regional governments have been invited to have an official representative for CISWG and many of these have nominated a representative.

The first major activity undertaken by CISWG was a symposium held in Trinidad in June 2004 entitled “Facilitating Safer US-Caribbean Trade: Invasive Species Issues.” This meeting identified the key issues which were outlined in a document prepared by CISWG entitled “Caribbean Regional Invasive Species Intervention Strategy” – the “CRISIS Document”

The CISWG members have developed a project proposal entitled “Caribbean Invasive Species Surveillance and Information Programme, which consists of four major components and a number of minor components. The major components are (i) Pest Survey and Inspection Programme (ii) Caribbean Regional Diagnostic Network (iii) Invasive Species Information System and (iv) Public Education Programme.

Other current activities underway by CISWG include the coordination of regional efforts to control the Red Palm Mite (Raoiella indica); a Caribbean Pathway Analysis which is examining the pathways taken by invasive species and also support to an invasive species project being executed by CABI and funded by the Global Environment Facility.   The 2008 meeting of CISWG will be held immediately after the end of this meeting of the Caribbean Food Crops Society.

Keywords: Regional Invasive Species Intervention Strategy

8:45 – 9:00 am

Overview and Status Update: Multi-donor Funding Initiatives for CISSIP

Ms. Margaret Kalloo, CARICOM Secretariat, Guyana, South America

9:00 – 9:15 am

USDA APHIS Initiatives in Support of CISSIP

Wayne De Chi¹, Russell Duncan² and Robert Balaam³. ¹USDA/APHIS/IS, Port of Spain, Trinidad, ²USDA/APHIS/IS, APHIS Attaché, Brussels, Belgium and ³USDA/APHIS/PPQ, Offshore Initiatives Coordinator, Homestead, Florida. Wayne.DeChi@aphis.usda.gov ; Russell.A.Duncan@aphis.usda.gov; Robert.J.Balaam@aphis.usda.gov;

In 2003, scientists, policy makers and trade officials from throughout the Caribbean Region, including the United States met to discuss the issues caused by introduced pests, and as a result, the Caribbean Invasive Species Working Group (CISWG) was formed. Subsequently the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED), a ministerial body within The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) directed the CISWG to prepare a project proposal “The Caribbean Invasive Species Surveillance and Information Programme (CISSIP)”. Three interdependent sub-systems of CISSIP were developed which targeted three broad functions: (a) pest survey and inspection (the Pest Survey and Inspection Program or PSIP), (b) rapid diagnosis of pest problems (the Caribbean Regional Diagnostic Network or CRDN), and (c) information and communication (the Invasive Species Information System or ISIS).

As a result of a level of synergy between the expected output of CISSIP, capacity building workshops and program evaluations were conducted during 2007and 2008 in several countries to promote quality safeguarding systems.  These workshops were held in Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, Colombia, Ecuador, Jamaica, and Trinidad. These were conducted with the partnership of several private and public cooperators from the Region.

Financial assistance for pest detection programs in the Caribbean countries continues, particularly that of Fruit Files, Red Palm Mite, Giant African Land Snail, and mealybugs.

CARICOM, APHIS, and IICA assembled the Plant Health Directors of the Greater Caribbean with objectives which satisfied the output of the CISSIP proposal. Support for regional meetings in the Caribbean concerned with the preparation and readiness of the introduction of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza have shown progress in resource and institution strengthening with some countries in the region.

Safeguarding funds targeted for the Caribbean were used to implement the distance diagnostic module of the proposal with the purchase of five digital diagnostic laboratory systems.

These activities are expected to go a long way in giving action to the CISSIP

proposal in the Caribbean.

Keywords: capacity building, financial assistance, pest detection programs

9:15 – 9:30 am

The GEF/CABI Project “Mitigating the Threat of Invasive Alien Species in the Insular Caribbean”

U. Krauss¹, M. Bilz², V. Lopez¹, K. McLaughlin³, P. Polar¹, M. Seier⁴, and S. Murphy⁴¹, CABI Caribbean and Latin America, Gordon Street, Curepe, Trinidad & Tobago; ² CABI Head Office, Nosworthy Way, Wallingford, OX10 8DE, UK; ³ United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Washington Office, 900 17^th Street, NW Suite 506, Washington, DC  20006, USA;
⁴ CABI Europe-UK, Bakeham Lane, Egham, Surrey, TW20 9TY, UK.

Invasive Alien Species (IAS) pose a major threat to the vulnerable aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity of Caribbean islands and to people depending on this biodiversity for their livelihoods. Caribbean states have recognized the need for a regional strategy and expressed strong interest in linking their national efforts in implementing Article 8 (h) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to mitigate the threats of IAS in the Caribbean. The project proposed through CABI and UNEP for GEF funding aims to  establish an extensive framework addressing IAS that threaten aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and their biodiversity in the Caribbean. This framework will build on existing national measures in the plant and animal health sector and feed biodiversity capacity into the project by linking with national and regional stakeholders. The proposed project will provide the necessary tools and capacity to address existing and future biological invasions. The five project components are:

[1]            Development of National IAS strategies in the five participating countries:    Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, St. Lucia, and Trinidad & Tobago

[2]            Establishment of Caribbean-Wide Cooperation and Strategy

[3]            Knowledge generation, management and dissemination

[4]            Prevention of New IAS Introductions in Terrestrial, Freshwater and Marine Systems

[5]            Early Detection, Rapid Response and Control of IAS Impacts

The project and its preparation is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and co-financed by the countries themselves and numerous partners.  The successful first phase of the GEF funding cycle, the Project Development Facility-A (PDF-A) ran from July 2006 to February 2007. In April 2008, the second phase, the Project Preparation Grant (PPG) of nine months duration commenced.  If successful, this will be followed by a four-year Full Size Project focusing on the above-mentioned countries while benefiting the whole of the Caribbean region as well as global biodiversity.

Keywords: Biodiversity, Caribbean, invasive species

9:30 – 9:45 am

The French Overseas Department Invasive Species Initiatives in the Caribbean Basin

Jean Iotti, Emmanuel Sutter, and Philippe Terrieux. Plant Health Directorate, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Martinique, French West Indies, France. jean.iotti@agriculture.gouv.fr

The plant protection strategy in Martinique and in the archipelago of Guadeloupe, i.e. eight small islands known as “French West Indies”, is based on three main pillars. These pillars are implemented in the framework of a complex set of European and overseas specific regulations, and according to the standard French administrative rules and organization, which are not always customized for tropical agriculture issues.

The first pillar is Import-Export control (quarantine invasive species control), the second concerns nurseries’ control (control on quarantine invasive species and pests impacting on production), and the third concerns crop surveillance and protection (non-quarantine pest control at the farm level).

Import-Export regulations are a mix of the present European regulations (known as COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 2000/29/EC of 8 May 2000). European regulations prioritize free trade within the European Union; Martinique and Guadeloupe being part of the EU), while import regulations with third countries avoid import bans for vegetables, and prioritize specific requirements for quarantine pests. In contrast, the Specific Overseas Regulation, which consists of the last remnants of the older National French Regulations, is based on, mainly import bans, and an accumulation of old-fashioned requirements, which are based more on precautionary principles than on reasonable arguments.

In order to integrate the European regulations, and their “philosophy”, 130 pest risk analysis + 70 invasive plants risk analysis were completed by CIRAD in 2004-2006. These PRAs are the foundations of the new “European Overseas Regulations”, which are being drafted.

To combat the most dangerous invasive species, Project PANDOeR, was initiated. It involves several administrative or professional partners, and aims at (i) controlling possible invasions of Black Sigatoka, Moko disease, palm lethal yellowing, tropical fruit flies, etc., and (ii) geographical range extensions of the red palm mite, tristeza virus, etc. PANDOeR, based in Martinique, has been fully operational in the field since 2007.

Keywords: European Plant Protection Regulations, French West Indies Plant Protection Regulations, pest risk analysis, Black Sigatoka, red palm mite, Moko disease, fruit flies, lethal yellowing

9:45 – 10:00 am

T-STAR Initiatives in Support of Invasive Species Efforts in the Greater Caribbean

Dr. Martha Roberts, Industry Liaison, UF/IFAS, Tallahassee, FL

10:00 – 10:30 am

Closing the Institutional and Technical Framework Gaps for an Effective CISSIP

Panel Discussion:  No Abstract

Dr. Carlton Davis, UF/IFAS, Gainesville, FL, Moderator; Dr. Edward “Gilly” Evans, UF/IFAS, Homestead, FL; Rapporteur; Panelists:  Dr. H. Arlington Chesney, Executive Director of CARDI, Trinidad, West Indies; Dr. Gene Pollard, Plant Protection Specialist, Trinidad and Tobago; Ms. Margaret Kalloo, Deputy Program Officer, Agricultural Development, CARICOM Secretariat, Guyana, South America; Dr. Moses Kairo, Director, Center for Biological Control, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL; Mr. Claude Vuillaume, CIRAD, Caribbean Regional Representative, Guadeloupe, French West Indies; Mr. Robert Balaam, USDA/APHIS/PPQ, Offshore Initiatives Coordinator, Homestead, FL; Dr. Timur “Tim” M. Momol, Central Florida District Extension Director, UF/IFAS, Gainesville, FL.

1:30 – 1:45 pm

Red Palm Mite Situation in the Caribbean and Florida
Amy Roda¹, Ashley Dowling², Cal Welbourn³, Jorge Peña⁴, Jose Carlos V. Rodrigues⁵, Marjorie A. Hoy⁶, Ronald Ochoa⁷, Russell A. Duncan⁸ and Wayne De Chi⁹. ¹ USDA APHIS PPQ CPHST, c/o ARS Subtropical Horticulture Research Station, 13601 Old Cutler Rd., Miami, FL  33158.  Amy.L.Roda@APHIS.USDA.GOV ; ² Dept. of Entomology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701; ³ Division of Plant Industry, Florida Dept. Agriculture & Consumer Services, Gainesville, FL 32614-7100; ⁴ Dept. of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, TREC – IFAS, Homestead, FL ; ⁵ University of Puerto Rico, Crop Protection Department
Jardín Botánico Sur, 1193 Calle Guayacan, San Juan PR, 00926; ⁶ Dept. of Entomology & Nematology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-0620; ⁷ SEL, USDA, ARS, PSI, BARC-West, 10300 Baltimore Ave., Beltsville, MD 20705; ⁸ USDA-APHIS-IS-Caribbean Area, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; ⁹ USDA-APHIS-IS, Port of Spain, Trinidad

The red palm mite (Raoiella indica, Tenuipalpidae), a pest of coconuts and ornamental palms in Asia and Africa, was reported in the Caribbean in 2003. By 2008, it had spread to at least twelve islands, two counties in Florida and Venezuela. Red palm mite causes yellowing and leaf necrosis with severe reduction of leaf stomatal conductance. Coconut growers are reporting > 70% reduction in yield. Genetic studies of red palm mite collected from multiple regions in Asia, Africa and the Caribbean revealed several distinct haplotypes. All Caribbean samples have the same haplotype, which matches samples from coconut in Réunion and areca palms in India. The populations from coconut in India exhibited a different haplotype.  Bio-control and pesticide options are being studied to manage the pest. The efficacy of acaricides against red palm mite was tested to provide palm, banana and ornamental nursery growers with an updated list of acaricides with good control potential. Natural enemy studies in the Caribbean have shown that thrips, phytoseiid, lacewing, and coccinelid predators attack red palm mite. Fungal infections have been reported in Puerto Rico, Dominica and Trinidad. Predatory mite numbers, especially in the Phytoseiidae family, increase in response to higher numbers of red palm mites. However, these local predators do not appear to be managing red palm mite populations. Foreign exploration for natural enemies is being conducted in Mauritius and India. A phytoseiid predator is currently being evaluated in quarantine in Gainesville, Florida.
Keywords: acaricides, bio-control, predatory mite, foreign exploration

 

1:45 – 2:00 pm

Citrus Greening Update

Dr. Harold Browning, Director, UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center, Lake Alfred, FL

2:00 – 2:15 pm

Black Sigatoka and Moko: Impact and Spread of Two Destructive Banana Diseases in the Caribbean Basin

Randy C. Ploetz, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Florida, IFAS, Homestead, FL.  RCPloetz@ifas.uf.edu

Black Sigatoka (aka black leaf streak), caused by the fungus Mycosphaerella fijiensis, and Moko disease, caused by the bacterium Ralstonia solanacearum phylotype II, are among the most destructive diseases of banana.  However, until the last decade or so they have been minor problems in the Caribbean.  Black Sigatoka arrived in the Western Hemisphere in Honduras in 1972, and then spread rapidly to other producing areas on the mainland.  Its spread in the Caribbean Islands has been slower and less extensive. To date, it has been detected only on Cuba (1990), Jamaica (1995), Hispaniola (1996), Trinidad (2003), Grand Bahama (2004) and Puerto Rico (2004).  The history of Moko disease is similar, in that it is widely spread in mainland tropical America but is still absent on most of the Caribbean Islands; it has been confirmed on Trinidad (1890s), Grenada (1978), Jamaica (2004) and St. Vincent and the Grenadines (2005).  Inter-island dissemination of M. fijiensis and R. solanacearum is constrained by several factors, and the maximum distances that they could move naturally are thought to be, respectively, 200 and 90 km.  They are moved most effectively via anthropogenic activities, and virtually every new outbreak of these diseases in the Caribbean has apparently resulted from the illicit movement of infected banana suckers or fruit.  The symptoms, epidemiology and management of black Sigatoka and Moko disease will be discussed.  It is hoped that the spread and impact of these important diseases might be reduced by increasing awareness in the Caribbean Basin.

Keywords: Pseudocercospora fijiensis, quarantine, detection, sanitation, eradication

2:15 – 2:30 pm

The Chilli Thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis: Current Status in the Greater Caribbean Region

Waldemar Klassen¹, Dakshina R. Seal¹, Matt A. Ciomperlik², and Daniel A. Fieslemnann³,  ¹Tropical Research and Education Center, University of Florida, IFAS, 18905 SW 280 Street, Homestead, FL 33031. ²USDA APHIS PPQ, Pest Detection Diagnostics and Management Laboratory, Edinburg, TX  78541-9398, and ³ USDA/APHIS/PPQ/CPHST, Raleigh, NC 27606.  Klassen@ufl.edu

In 2003 the chilli thrips, which originated in southern Asia, was found to be established in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Its current known distribution in the Greater Caribbean Region is Barbados, Florida, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Texas, Trinidad & Tobago, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Venezuela and Suriname.  It appears to be absent from the French West Indies, Hispaniola and Costa Rica. In 1995 Scirtothrips dorsalis was found on flowers in the baggage of a passenger from El Salvador to the USA, but there is no recent evidence to suggest that the pest is established in El Salvador or in any Central American country or in Cuba. In the recent past the pest has reached damaging levels on hot peppers in St. Lucia and St. Vincent, on carrot, sea island cotton, and sweet potato in Barbados, on mango in Puerto Rico and on numerous ornamental plantings in Florida. It is still not an economic problem on vegetable and tropical fruit crops in Florida. In Texas, S. dorsalis is still being found on plants in retail garden centers and it has been detected on one residential property in the Houston area. Interceptions of S. dorsalis at US ports of entry have become infrequent. From January 2007 to June 2008, only three interceptions of S. dorsalis were made at US ports entry, which indicates that the industry and regulatory officials are taking effective actions in infested countries which export into the US market.  Recent advances on the biology and control of this pest will be summarized.

Keywords: distribution in Greater Caribbean, ornamental tropical fruit and vegetable crops, carrot, cotton, mango, pepper, sweetpotato

2:30 – 2:45 pm

Developing Strategic Research for Biological Control of New Pest Threats: the Passion Vine Mealybug, Planococcus minor, as a Case Study

Moses T.K. Kairo¹, A. Francis¹ and A. Roda², ¹Center for Biological Control, College of Engineering Sciences, Technology and Agriculture, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida, ²USDA APHIS PPQ, Center for Plant Health Science and Technology. Moses.Kairo@FAMU.EDU

Classical biological control is one of the key approaches to the management of invasive alien pests.  This typically involves the importation and release of natural enemies from the pest’s area of origin. Due to increased concerns about the safety, recent years have seen a considerable increase in regulatory requirements for information during the importation process. Thus, a considerable amount of knowledge has to be generated before a natural enemy can be introduced.  This also means that a considerable amount of time can be lost before implementation of biological control program. In principle, the process can be speeded up if research on potential threats is done in advance. However, the challenge to such a pre-emptive approach is that there are many potential threats and only a limited amount of resources. This paper discusses ongoing pre-emptive research on Planococcus minor, a high risk pest threat to the United States and other countries in the Caribbean Basin. It also discusses the value and application of such strategic research, and identifies key considerations for institutionalization of the approach.

Key words: Pre-emptive biological control, invasive species, Planococcus minor

3:15 – 3:30 pm

Giant African Snail in the Caribbean Sub-Region

Gene V Pollard¹, Bret Taylor² and Angela Fields³; ¹ Plant Protection Specialist, Trinidad and Tobago; ²Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Graeme Hall, Christ Church Barbados; ³ Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados. geeveep@gmail.com

The giant African snail (GAS), Achatina fulica, is native to East Africa, and is now very widely distributed and established across the Indo-Pacific region. In 1984, this pest was first reported in the Caribbean sub-region in Guadeloupe and has spread since to several other countries. The only other report for the wider Caribbean Basin is for Florida, United States of America, where the pest was introduced in the late-1960s. GAS has been described as the most damaging land snail world-wide, reportedly attacking over 500 plant species inclusive of tree crops, ornamentals, vegetables and root crops; it has also been reported to vector several plant pathogens. Achatina fulica is therefore considered a major agricultural and horticultural pest species. Additionally, GAS is of public health concern being an intermediate host and vector of the parasitic rat lungworm, Angiostrongylus cantonensis, the agent of the human disease, eosinophilic meningitis (or cerebral angiostrongyliasis). However, in most of the affected countries in the Caribbean, the snail has not proved to be a major pest, mainly affecting household gardens and uncultivated or semi-wild areas; the few reports of agricultural losses involve mainly vegetables. Management of this pest in several of the affected countries consists mainly of the use of chemical baits and physical collection of snails combined with limited public awareness programmes. While its spread to date has been slow, the establishment of the giant African snail in the Caribbean is a cause for concern for the agricultural sector and, lesser so, as a potential public health problem. However, it should be noted that the spread of GAS has not been anywhere near the rapid spread of other recently introduced invasive alien species in the Caribbean sub-region, e.g. hibiscus mealybug or red palm mite and neither has the impact been as devastating.

Keywords: Giant African snail, Caribbean sub-region, distribution, management

3:30-3:45 pm

Carambola Fruit Fly Situation in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Dr. HaAlies van Sauers-Muller, Carambola Fruit Fly Program Coordinator

Agricultural Experiment Station, Letitia Vriesde laan 8, Paramaribo, Suriname. cffsur@sr.net

The carambola fruit fly, Bactrocera carambolae Drew and Hancock (CFF) is a member of the oriental fruit fly species complex.  CFF was recognized to be present in Suriname in 1986, but it appears to have been present since at least 1975.  CFF originated in Asia, where it occurs in Indonesia, Malaysia and southern Thailand.  15% of Suriname’s human population originated in Indonesia. Perhaps the CFF was introduced into the Western Hemisphere by persons travelling from Indonesia to Suriname. The spread of the CFF infestation and infested host plants were delimited soon after 1986. By 1990, the fly had spread mainly into the northern (inhabited) part of Suriname and eastward into French Guyana.  Subsequently the CFF spread westward to infest two border villages in Guyana, and, east of French Guyana, into the Brazilian State of Amapa. CFF’s major hosts are carambola (Oxalidaceae: Averrhoa carambola L.) and curacao apple (Myrtaceae: Syzygium samarangense (Blume) Merr. and Perry), which originated in Asia.  Most tropical fruits are good hosts of CFF. In 1990 the first control actions were undertaken to prevent the fly from spreading westwards.  The male annihilation technique (MAT) served as the main method for eliminating CFF populations.  This technique involved the luring of CFF males to 5 cm X 5 cm X 1 cm fibre blocks impregnated with methyl-eugenol mixed with malathion. Additional methods used were bait sprays, soil treatments, host fruit destruction, and pruning of host fruits. The MAT technique was applied in urban areas by spraying min-u-gel containing methyl eugenol and malathion onto tree trunks, electric-line poles etc. The project closed in 2003, and by 2007 the CFF had reclaimed all areas that had been infested at the initiation of the control project.  In addition the CFF has spread to new areas in Guyana.  In Brazil, control will continue relentlessly, due to the importance of the pest to the fruit industry. For Suriname, control of fruit flies in the future will have to include CFF as one of the major fruit fly species.  Alternative methods will be evaluated including bait sprays and biological control.

Key words: tropical fruits, male annihilation, Western Hemisphere

3:45 – 4:00 pm

Addressing Animal Health Issues in CARICOM Member States

Lloyd A. W. Webb, Sub-regional Advisor on Veterinary Public Health, Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute, Pan American Health Organization, Kingston, Jamaica. webblloy@cfni.paho.org

At a time when emerging and re-emerging diseases are challenging the resources of governments and private sector groups globally, there is need to revisit and examine the current veterinary infrastructure in CARICOM countries to determine the extent of preparedness of the Member States to deal effectively with the veterinary problems that may emerge. It is frequently said that the small islands comprise a community in which the several countries share a single domestic space. But each country is sovereign and therefore must decide on its own course of action, even if such action means entering into partnership with others to use a collective approach in which veterinary colleagues from neighbouring countries join forces to attack common problems. To many, this latter approach seems favourable, particularly since it is perceived that once a trans-boundary disease enters any one of these countries, it may have been perceived as having entered the entire region. A joint multi-country strategy is proposed that will effectively decide on a process of eradication or containment for any new disease or disease agent and which would prevent the disease from gaining grounds and spreading from an infected country to neighbouring states. Recognition of the potential economic and social impact of diseases may be beneficial in arriving at some solutions to the problems. Additionally, a closer look at the Animal Health Infrastructure in these small island states may well provide some thoughts for the establishment of a mechanism to address animal health issues in CARICOM countries.

Keywords: emerging and re-emerging diseases, CARICOM, veterinary infrastructure

4:00 – 4:15 pm

Avian Influenza:  Pandemic Preparedness for Small Agribusiness

Dr. Joanne Brown, Deputy Commissioner, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Tallahassee, FL

4:15 – 4:30 pm

Microbial Threats to the Safety of Food Products in Trade Between the Latin America-Caribbean Region, the USA and other Countries

Lloyd .A.W. Webb, Sub-regional Advisor on Veterinary Public Health, Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute, Pan American Health Organization, Kingston, Jamaica. webblloy@cfni.paho.org

A large amount of data on the microbial threats to the safety of food products in trade originating from the English-speaking Caribbean countries comes from public health sources. Many of the countries depend on diagnostics information from Public Health Laboratories or Analytical Laboratories, and the Chemistry Food and Drug Laboratories (in at least two CARICOM states). While the Ministry of Agriculture is the principal Ministry that directs the affairs of the export of food and agricultural products, the technical input regarding inspection and certification of such products for export often lies with inspectors from the Ministry of Health. Should this really matter? How efficient is the inspection process? How effective is the national laboratory in the support of regional and international trade. There is paucity in the information regarding food products to be exported from several CARICOM countries, but there is an equal scarcity of information on imported products from third countries and international trading partners. Some projections are made on addressing the lack of data in CARICOM countries.

Keywords: imports, exports, inspection

5:00-5:15 pm

T-STAR Invasive Species Symposium Closing Remarks

Dr. John Fernández Van Cleve, Dean, College of Agricultural Sciences University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez Campus, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico

Technical Sessions

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

FORAGE AND LIVESTOCK (Regency Ballroom)

8:00 – 8:15 am

Production of Eastern Gamagrass Accessions Grown under Greenhouse Conditions

Ronald J. Smith and E.G. Rhoden.  George Washington Carver Agricultural Experiment Station, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL.  rhoden@tuskegee.edu

The development of adapted acid-tolerant plants is important in the southeastern United States.  Eastern gamagrass ()is a warm-season perennial native to the Americas, capable of high potential productivity and moderate to high forage quality, for use as grazed or preserved forage.  It produces peak growth during hot, dry weather when cool season plants are dormant.  Eastern gamagrass has also been reported to penetrate acidic claypan by tolerating low Ca, high Al and low soil pH.  As result, eastern gamagrass is being considered as a potential barrier and forage crop in the southeast United States.  A study was conducted at the George Washington Carver Agricultural Experiment Station at Tuskegee University, to measure the performance of eastern gamagrass accessions of varying forage potential under greenhouse conditions.  Accessions were chosen based on their probable suitability as forage crops, as well as to reflect a broad geographic and genetic spectrum of eastern gamagrass found in the southern US.  Single shoots were transplanted and fertilized with 20-20-20 (NPK).  After three months of establishment, plants were harvested to 25 cm height every 35 days and forage yield and quality measured.   Data on plant height, dry matter yield, and regrowth was recorded.  Crude protein, mineral composition, and fiber were used as quality factors.  Data indicated that most accessions attained their greatest height at harvest 3.  Florida 2 (FL2) produced the tallest plants on average (121.0 cm) prior to the first harvest.  Texas 3 (TX3) had the highest daily growth rate before harvest two and produced the tallest plants on average prior to the second harvest (127.8 cm), while TX4 produced the shortest plants on average (95.7 cm).  Plant dry weight for the various accessions ranged from 12.0 to 83.5 g/pot while crude protein ranged from 13.7 to 17.3%.  These results indicate that the quality of these eastern gamagrass accessions were above the NRC requirements for finishing cattle.  A comprehensive review of these eastern gamagrass populations could identify accessions that exhibit specific establishment and growth pattern that are suitable for the southern US.

Keywords: eastern gamagrass, forage production, accession

8:15 – 8:30 am

Relación Hoja-Tallo, Altura y Rendimiento de Seis Gramíneas Forrajeras, Tres Panicum y Tres Brachiarias, en un Suelo Ultisol

Birmania Wagner¹, Rodys Colón¹. ¹Instituto Dominicano de Investigaciones Agropecuarias y Forestales, IDIAF. bwagoner@idiaf.org.do

La evaluación continua de especies con posibilidades forrajeras es tarea permanente para dar respuesta a la demanda de alimentación económica para el ganado. El objetivo fue medir el rendimiento de materia seca en kg/ha, la relación hoja–tallo y altura de seis gramíneas forrajeras. El estudio se realizó en la Estación Experimental Pedro Brand en el periodo 2006-2007. La precipitación promedio en la zona del estudio es 1800 mm y la temperatura media anual 25 ^oC. El suelo donde se hizo el estudio es del Orden Ultisol. Los tratamientos evaluados correspondieron a las gramíneas Panicum maximum (cultivares ‘Aries’, ‘Atlas’ y ‘Mombaza’) y Brachiaria brizantha (cultivares ‘Xaraes’, ‘MG-4’, ‘MG-5’). Fueron sembradas por semilla a razón de 7 kg por ha, a chorrillo, y 0.50 m entre hileras. El diseño utilizado fue de bloques completos al azar con cuatro repeticiones. Las variables respuesta fueron altura de corte, rendimiento de materia seca, en kg/ha, y relación hoja-tallo. A los resultados se les aplicó un análisis de varianza al 5% de significancia. En los casos donde hubo diferencias significativas se procedió a la prueba de Duncan. Las muestras tomadas se separaron en hojas y tallos, para obtener la relación hoja/tallo. Se determinó el rendimiento de materia seca y se hicieron análisis de nutrientes. Los resultados indican diferencias estadísticas para las tres variables. ‘Mombaza’ resultó significativamente superior a los demás en altura de corte y relación hoja-tallo. Para el rendimiento, ‘Mombaza’, ‘Atlas’ y ‘MG-5’ resultaron significativamente mejores que los demás. Bajo las condiciones del experimento, estos tres cultivares representan las mejores forrajeras para ser integrados a los sistemas de producción animal en la República Dominicana.

Palabras claves: Panicum, brachiarias, rendimiento de forrajes

8:30 – 8:45 am

Land Application of Food Processing Wastewater Residuals: Effect on Dry Matter Yield of Tanner Grass.

M. St. Luce¹, G. Gouveia² and G. Eudoxie². ¹Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), Roseau, Dominica; ²Department of Food Production, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad. mstluce_79@hotmail.com

Alternative disposal of manufacturing waste has become important in the Caribbean Region due to increasing populations, concerns with its disposal in the environment, increased growth in the manufacturing sector, as well as limited land availability for disposal. A field experiment was conducted on a mixed loamy isohyperthermic Fluventic Eutropepts to evaluate the crop productivity potential of food processing wastewater residuals on Tanner grass (Brachiaria arrecta) production in the dry and wet season, respectively. The wastewater residual was compared to inorganic sources of N and P (urea and triple superphosphate respectively) at 0, 50 and 200 kg N/ha and 0, 50 and 100 kg P/ha respectively in a randomized complete block design. In the dry season, the inorganic N resulted in a Tanner grass dry matter yield of 4357 kg/ha, which was significantly (p<0.05) higher than that resulting from the wastewater residual N (1835 kg/ha). However, similar yields were obtained in the wet season (2898 kg/ha and 2610 kg/ha for inorganic N and wastewater residual N, respectively). The wastewater residual applied at 200 kg N/ha with no supplemented P resulted in a significantly (p<0.05) higher dry matter yield (2875 kg/ha) than the unfertilized control (1535 kg/ha) in the wet season. Tanner grass dry matter yields for both seasons were higher in response to the wastewater residual at both N rates than the unfertilized N. The wastewater residual can be used in pasture production as an organic soil amendment as an alternative to disposal since it is capable of supporting plant growth.

Keywords: Wastewater residuals, dry matter yield, organic soil amendment

8:45 – 9:00 am

Ensilaje de Barbojo de Habichuela con Niveles de Melaza-Urea

Joaquín Caridad, Rafael Silvestre y Gregorio García Lagombra. Instituto Dominicano de Investigaciones Agropecuarias y Forestales, IDIAF. jcaridad@idiaf.org.do

El uso de los subproductos de cosecha en la región Este es una alternativa para épocas de escasez de forrajes, por lo que se planteó un experimento para usar el barbojo de habichuela, subproducto de cosecha estacional de la zona. El objetivo del ensayo fue evaluar el efecto de diferentes niveles de melaza / urea sobre la calidad nutritiva del barbojo de habichuela. El trabajo se realizó en la Estación Experimental Higüey, Provincia La Altagracia, al Este del país. La estación está localizada a 18° 6´ latitud norte y 68° 7´ longitud oeste, con una pluviometría anual promedio de 1431 mm y temperatura anual promedio de 27.4 °C. Se tomaron 15 fundas plásticas y se llenaron con 10 kg de barbojo de habichuela. Se utilizó un diseño completamente al azar (DCA) con cinco tratamientos y tres repeticiones. Cada 10 kg de ensilaje era la unidad experimental, siendo los tratamientos T1: barbojo de habichuela solo (testigo), T2: barbojo de habichuela + 2 % melaza + 0 % urea, T3: barbojo de habichuela + 2 % melaza + 0.5 % urea, T4: barbojo de habichuela + 2 % melaza + 1.0 % urea y T5: barbojo de habichuela + 2 % melaza + 1.5 % urea. Ventiún días después se tomaron muestras de los tratamientos y se realizaron análisis bromatológicos. Se encontraron contenidos de proteína significativamente menores (P<0.05) en los tratamientos sin urea con relación a los que la contienen [7.56 (T1) y 8.94% (T2) vs. 17.88 (T3), 19.59 (T4) y 22.34% (T5)]. Tomando este resultado como referencia, podemos concluir que la presencia de urea en el ensilaje mejora la calidad del barbojo de habichuela, por efecto del contenido de nitrógeno que aporta.

Palabras claves: época de crisis de pastos, subproducto de cosecha, cosecha estacional.

9:00 – 9:15 am

Mucuna pruriens Detoxification through Ensiling

C. M. Huisden, Adegbola. T. Adesogan, and N. J. Szabo. Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, P.O. Box 110910, Gainesville, Florida 32611-0910.  huisden@ufl.edu

Mucuna pruriens is grown for food and feed despite its L-Dopa content (2-6% by wt), which is toxic to monogastric livestock and humans. The aim of this study was to determine if the L-Dopa content of Mucuna can be reduced by ensiling.   The objective of Experiment 1 was to examine how long it takes to decrease the pH of ensiled Mucuna to 4.5. Crushed beans (6 mm) were weighed in quadruplicate (1500 g) into vacuum-bags and 900 ml of double-distilled water were added. Bags were vacuum sealed and ensiled in the dark at room-temperature (18 to 25^oC) for 0, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days.  A pH of 4.5 and an L-Dopa concentration of 1.3% (54% reduction) were recorded after 28 days of ensiling. The objective of Experiment 2 was to study the effect of particle size of ensiled Mucuna on L-Dopa content and on fermentation and nutritional characteristics. Mucuna beans were ground to pass through 2, 4, and 6 mm screens and ensiled in quadruplicate in vacuum bags for 28 days. Ensiling decreased the L-Dopa content of 2, 4 and 6 mm particles from 2.8% to 1.2, 1.6, and 1.1%, respectively. Ensiling also reduced the WSC concentration and pH and increased NH₃N-concentration. Neither ensiling nor particle size affected concentrations of fat (5%), crude protein (23-25%), starch (38-40%), and neutral detergent fiber (17-20%).  Dry matter losses (< 1%) and mold or yeast counts were unaffected by particle size. Aerobic stability was maintained beyond 657 hours in all treatments. The total-acid concentration of 2, 4, and 6 mm particles contained 54, 58, and 46% lactate, respectively. Therefore the lactate:acetate ratio of all samples exceeded 3.0. In conclusion, ensiling Mucuna bean for 28 days reduced the L-Dopa content by 43 to 61% while preserving most nutrients. Particle size had minimal effects on nutritional composition or fermentation indices but influenced the extent of L-Dopa removal.

Keywords: Mucuna pruriens, detoxification, ensiling

9:15 – 9:30 am

Effect of Sonication and Two Solvent Extraction Methods on the L-Dopa Content and Nutritional Value of Mucuna pruriens

C. Max Huisden, Adegbola.T. Adesogan, and N.J. Szabo. Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, P.O. Box 110910, Gainesville, Florida 32611-0910.  huisden@ufl.edu

Mucuna pruriens, a tropical legume, has seeds high in protein (25-30%) and starch (39-41%) but it also contains toxic secondary compounds, particularly L-Dopa. Ingestion of Mucuna L-Dopa causes weight loss and diarrhea in humans, pigs and poultry. Methods to reduce Mucuna L-Dopa to a safe threshold (< 0.4%) are often costly and vary in efficacy; little is known about their impact on the nutritional value of the bean.  The objective of this study was to examine effects of three extraction methods on L-Dopa content and nutritional composition of finely (1 mm) or coarsely (6 mm) ground Mucuna beans. Methods included extraction in solutions of acetic acid (ACD, pH 3) or sodium hydroxide (ALK, pH 11) for 8 hours or sonication (SON) for 5 minutes. All three methods reduced L-Dopa concentrations of fine Mucuna particles from 2.8 to < 0.2% and increased neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and starch contents by at least 62 and 14%, respectively. Fat content of fine particles was reduced from 5.5% to 4.2% in SON but not in ACD and ALK. The methods also reduced crude protein (CP) and water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) contents of fine particles by 24-31% and 78-81%, respectively.  Sonication and ACD did not reduce L-Dopa content of coarsely ground beans but ALK reduced it to 2%.  Sonication reduced CP, WSC, and fat content of coarse particles by 6, 17, and 27%, respectively and ALK increased their starch content by 17%. The ACD treatment increased NDF content of coarse particles by 35% but ALK and SON did not; ACD and ALK reduced fat by 31 and 35%.  It is concluded that the extraction methods reduced the L-Dopa content of fine Mucuna particles to safe levels but increased their NDF and starch contents at the expense of their WSC and CP contents.  Extraction methods were less effective at reducing the L-Dopa in coarse particles and had fewer, less consistent effects on their nutritional composition.

Keywords:  Mucuna pruriens, solvent-extraction, sonication

9:30 – 9:45 am

Behavioral, Performance, and Physiological Effects on Rats Fed Detoxified Mucuna pruriens

C.Max Huisden, Adegbola. T. Adesogan, V. Butterweck, N.J. Szabo, J.M. Gaskin, A. Raji, L. Yongning,  and E. Maxwell. Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, P.O. Box 110910, Gainesville, Florida 32611-0910.  huisden@ufl.edu

L-Dopa, the main toxic compound in Mucuna pruriens, causes reduced feed intake, anorexia, diarrhea, vomiting, skin lesions and potential mortality when consumed by humans and monogastric livestock. A limited number of studies indicate that various processing techniques can reduce the L-Dopa concentration in Mucuna beans to safe levels (< 0.4%), but they are often costly and time consuming.  Few studies have examined the effects of feeding detoxified Mucuna to monogastrics. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of feeding detoxified Mucuna bean on the performance, behavior, and health of rats.  Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to five treatments (n=12). Dietary treatments consisted of a commercial rat chow (CON) or diets in which 10% of a customized rat chow was replaced with either untreated (undetoxified) Mucuna (MUC), or Mucuna detoxified by acetic acid extraction (pH 3), sodium hydroxide extraction (pH 11), or ensiling for 28 days (SIL).  During the course of the 14-day trial, behavior, physiological development, and signs of clinical pathology were evaluated. Animals were necropsied afterwards. Feeding MUC caused splenomegaly and monocytosis, and reduced phosphorus concentrations relative to CON, but these effects were not observed in rats fed detoxified diets. Feeding detoxified diets increased alkaline phosphatase concentration by 11-17% compared to MUC, but not CON. No abnormalities in behavior, performance, or physiology were observed in any of the rats on the detoxified diets. Compared to CON, Mucuna-based diets gave similar feed intake, weight gain, and behavioral results in the open field. It can be concluded that at the 10% level of dietary inclusion, there were fewer measurable adverse effects due to feeding the detoxified Mucuna bean compared to untreated Mucuna bean.

Keywords: Mucuna pruriens, detoxification, monogastric

9:45 – 10:00 am

Estudio del Tiempo de Almacenamiento Sobre la Eclosión del Huevo del Pato Pekinés

Patricia Valerio¹, Gregorio García Lagombra², Walkiria Cruz². ¹Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo y ²Instituto Dominicano de Investigaciones Agropecuarias y Forestales (IDIAF). glagombra@idiaf.org.do

Este estudio se realizó en la Estación Experimental Pedro Brand del IDIAF. En vista de que la información sobre el manejo reproductivo de patos pekineses en los trópicos es limitada, se hace necesario investigar sobre los parámetros técnicos de estos patos. Las condiciones geo-climáticas son: 18º 34’ latitud Norte y 70º 05’ longitud Oeste, a 90 m sobre el nivel del mar. La temperatura media anual es de 25 ºC y la precipitación media anual es de 1800 mm. El propósito fue estudiar el efecto del tiempo de almacenamiento sobre la eclosión de huevos del pato pekinés. El estudio se realizó en galpón a temperatura ambiente. Se utilizó un diseño completamente al azar con siete tratamientos y cuatro repeticiones. Cada tratamiento equivalía a un día de la semana y cada repetición fue el porciento (%) de eclosión de huevos de las relaciones macho/hembra. Los tratamientos fueron 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 y 7 días de almacenamiento. Las relaciones macho: hembras usadas para este estudio, las cuales a su vez eran las unidades experimentales, fueron 1:3, 1:4, 1:5 y 1:6. Las variables evaluadas fueron tasa de eclosión, temperatura y humedad. El experimento duró 60 días. Los análisis estadísticos indicaron que los tiempos de almacenamiento no tuvieron efecto significativo sobre la tasa de eclosión de huevos. Se observaron mejores tasas de eclosión los días 3, 4 y 5 de almacenamiento. Además no se pudo establecer ningún efecto negativo de la temperatura y la humedad del sobre la tasa de eclosión de los huevos. En vista de que el tiempo de almacenamiento bajo condiciones naturales no afectó la tasa de eclosión, se considera que se puede utilizar el almacenamiento de huevos en condiciones naturales y obtener resultados satisfactorios.

Palabras claves: tiempo de almacenamiento, tasa de eclosión, nacimientos.

10:00 – 10:15 am

The Effects of Synchronization Treatments on Estrous Response in Seasonal Does

Angela McKenzie-Jakes, G. Nurse, G. Byrant. Research and Cooperative Extension Programs, Florida A&M University. angusboer34@hotmail.com

Reproduction efficiency is one of the most important economic traits in terms of livestock production. Maintaining good reproductive functions in the herd is pivotal to the success of any livestock production system. Productivity and profitability in the goat herd is measured by ovulation rate, conception rate, the number of kids born, the number of kids weaned and the frequency in which they are produced. Theoretically, a gestational period (pregnancy) of five months should support more than one kidding interval per doe per year. However, the se repetición fue el asonal breeding behavior of goats in the U.S. has seriously limited the ability of the producer to increase herd productivity and to access markets that bring about the highest economic returns. In recent years, estrus synchronization has become a valuable reproductive tool for controlling and manipulating the breeding period in goats. Studies have shown that differences exist in the onset and duration of estrus between various breeds of goats and even among individuals within the same breed. The objective of this study was to determine efficacy of different treatment regimens on inducing cyclic heat in breeding does. Sixty does were randomly assigned among three treatment groups. Goats in group A (n=20) were the control group (no treatment). Goats in group B were synchronized using CIDR, (Controlled Internal Releasing Device) in combination with lutalyase (1ml) and goats in group C were exposed to a vasectomized buck for 21 days. Blood samples were collected after the does were observed in standing heat. Immunoassays test were used to determine serum progesterone concentrations in the experimental does. Cyclic heat was observed in 85% of the does within 24 hours after the implants were removed (treatment B), 24 hours after the vasectomized buck was remove from the pen (treatment C) and 40% of the does were in heat in the control  group 24 hours after being exposed to an intact buck.

Keywords: goats, reproduction, synchronization, CIDR

10:15 – 10:30 am

Poisonous Plants in the Pasture

Mudge, D.M., Extension Agent III, Livestock and Natural Resources, University of Florida, Orange County Cooperative Extension Service, 6021 S. Conway Rd., Orlando, FL  32812.  E-mail:  dmmudge@ifas.ufl.edu

Livestock producers in sub tropical and tropical climates always have to deal with the issue of toxic plants. Acute poisoning always brings attention and often pain or panic. While chronic poisoning is much more common, it is just as serious and yet goes unnoticed. Many pastures offer livestock nothing but weeds as the only green forage available. What approach should goat farmers, cattle producers, horse owners and even the back yard farmers implement?  Here is offered a successful educational approach developed by an experienced agent who specializes in “poisonous plants in the pasture.”   Educational Objectives:  Resources were intended to educate by increasing the producer’s knowledge, lowering the risks to livestock and the saving of actual animal’s lives.  Program Activities:   Included are educational classes, on-site ranch visits, website live plant collection, local TV (16,000 viewers), PowerPoint presentation, newsletters, media, a national media appearance (18 million viewers), and a resource guide notebook including identification DVD.  The guide includes significance of the problem, practical guidance, animals at risk, symptom identification, natural deterrents, problem animals, risk in hay, drought problems, and weed identification.  A special section on herbicide weed control and information on invasive exotic plants is included as well. This program has been presented to the thoroughbred industry in Ocala; Deseret Ranch, the largest cow/calf beef operation in the United States; Grand Cypress Equestrian Center, located adjacent to Disney World; the Arabian Nights attraction; Orlando Carriage Company, and many hundreds of large and small livestock producers across Florida.  Impact:  The resources are used and endorsed by an impressive list of agriculture operations.  Deseret Ranch used these materials to develop an employee incentive program related to poisonous plant identification and eradication.  Evaluation:  Feedback indicated numerous extremely valuable animals have been spared poisoning.  There has been an estimated savings of $800,000 in livestock, with uncounted thousands save by equine operators who own very valuable horses.

Keywords: risks to livestock, toxic plants, practical guidance

 

Food Science and Postharvest Technology (Regency Ballroom)

11:00 – 11:15 am

Effect of Omega 6-3 and 9 Fatty Acids plus Vitamin E on Egg and Human Blood Triglycerides and Cholesterol Levels

Pablo de la Mota, Ginecologo-Obstetra, Investigador Independiente,

 angelsuazomateo@hotmail.com

Human deaths caused b cardiovascular problems are usually associate with high cholesterol; and triglyceride levels. A study was carried out to evaluate the cholesterol profile in laying hen eggs and human blood. Four hens were fed with normal diet or the same diet with omega 6-3 and 9 fatty acids plus vitamin E. At 12 days of receiving the treatment, the eggs were sent to the HB1 lab to investigate the cholesterol profiles in the eggs, and the cholesterol on triglycerides, HDL and LDL in the human blood of twenty people between 17 and 74 years old of both sexes consuming those eggs. The cholesterol levels of the eggs were reduced from 219.15 mgs/dl to 184.3 mgs/dl (-18.90%). In addition triglyceride and the LDL were reduced from 192.75 mgs/dl to 153.3 mgs/dl (25.73%) and from 132.0 mgs/dl to 116.00 mgs/dl, respectively. The HDL was increased from 46.45 mgs/dl to 51.1 mgs/dl (9.09%).  Neither the liver morphology nor the enzyme functions changed. To our understanding, an egg from the above treatment is the only food product, which reduces cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL, and which increases HDL profiles. Therefore, the consumption of such eggs may increase human life expectancy as a result of the beneficial effects of omega fatty acids in reducing arteriosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases.

Keywords: egg, omega fatty acids, cholesterol, human blood

11:15 – 11:30 am

Huevos sin Colesterol: Paracol, su  Efecto en la Lipidemia

Pablo de la Mota, Ginecologo- Obstetra, Investigador Independiente. Instituto Superior de Agricultura de la República Dominicana. angelsuazomateo@hotmail.com

Motivado por la alta incidencia en gran parte de los paises del mundo, de muertes producidas por las enfermedades cardiovasculares (arteriosclerosis, infartos del miocardio, derrame cerebral, Alzheimer y otros), producto de la alimentación con un alto contenido de colesterol y grasas saturadas y buscando la forma de ayudar a la humanidad, nos decidimos a realizar un trabajo científico en lo que respecta a las gallinas ponedoras de huevos y los alimentos especiales que estas ingieren a los fines de lograr una fórmula en base a los ácidos grasos omegas. Obteniendo óptimos resultados de nuestra investigación, lo que coadyuvará a una sana alimentación y aumento de la calidad de vida de la población.

Un huevo contiene según autores 213, 275 y 500 mg/dl de colesterol, escogiéndose 275 mg/dl de colesterol como la cantidad promedio. Preparamos una alimentación especial basándose en ácidos grasos omegas 6-3-9 y vitamina E agregándose a la alimentación de gallinas ponedoras. Obtuvimos un huevo que contiene 0.58 mg/dl de colesterol representando un 0.073% del mismo. Luego escogimos al azar 20 personas, con edades comprendidas entre 17 a 74 años de edad, incluyendo una mujer embarazada con 17 semanas de gestación, les hicimos un perfil lipídico (colesterol, trigliceridos, HDL y LDL) antes y después de la ingesta de huevos. Un grupo ingirió 1 huevo diario por 10 días, otro grupo 2 huevos diarios, una sola persona ingirio 3 huevos diarios por 10 días.

Con el objetivo de demostrar el efecto de estos huevos sobre la lipidemia, encontrando una notable disminución en los maracadores lipídicos antes mencionados, siendo la acción de las cuatro sustancias más efectiva sobre los triglicéridos, lo que concuerda con todas las investigaciones realizadas hasta el momento.

Obteniendo una disminución de 95% de colesterol y triglicéridos, 90% de LDL y aumento de 75% de HDL.

 El porcentaje mínimo y máximo de reducción de los marcadores del perfil lipídico fue: Colesterol de 4.1% a 65.3%, triglicéeridos de 3.6% a 89.4%, HDL de 0.0% a 25.0% y el LDL de 0.0% a 60.4%. Estos datos y otros más se lograron ingiriendo las 20 personas en 9.9 días, 14.5 huevos.

Palabras claves: enfermedades cardiovasculares, Lipidemia, colesterol, triglicéridos, LDL y HDL.

11:30 – 11:45 am

Evaluating Avocado Maturity Using Hyperspectral Imaging

D. Girod¹, J.A. Landry¹, G. Doyon² and J.A. Osuna-Garcìa^3
1Department of Automated Production Engineering, École de technologie supérieure, Université du Québec, Montréal, Canada. ²Food Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Saint-Hyacinthe, Canada. ³INIFAP-Santiago Ixcuintla Experimental Station. Santiago Ixcuintla, Nayarit, Mexico.

The maturity of avocado fruit is usually assessed by measuring its dry matter content (DM), which is a destructive and time consuming process. The aim of this study is to introduce a non-destructive and quick technique that can estimate the DM content of an avocado fruit. ‘Hass’ avocado fruits at different maturity stages and varying skin color were analyzed by hyperspectral imaging in reflectance and absorbance modes. The DM ranged from 19.8% to 42.5%. The hyperspectral data consist of mean spectra of avocados in the VIS/NIR region, from 400nm to 1000nm, for a total of 163 different spectral bands. Relationship between spectral wavelengths and DM content were carried out using a chemometric partial least squares (PLS) regression technique. Calibration and validation statistics, such as correlation coefficient (R²) and prediction error (RMSEP) were used as means of comparing the predictive accuracies of the different models. The results of PLS modeling, over several different randomizations of the database, with full cross validation methods using the entire spectral range, resulted in a mean R² of 0.86 with a mean RMSEP of 2.45 in reflectance mode, and a mean R² of 0.94 with a mean RMSEP of 1.59 for the absorbance mode. This indicates that reasonably accurate models (R²>0.8) could be obtained for DM content with the entire spectral range. Also this study shows that wavelengths reduction can be applied to the problem. Starting with 163 spectral bands, the DM could be predicted with identical performances using 10% of the initial wavelengths (16 spectral bands). Thus the study demonstrates the feasibility of using VIS/NIR hyperspectral imaging in absorbance mode in order to determine a physicochemical property, namely DM, of ‘Hass’ avocados in a non-destructive way. Furthermore it gives some clues about which spectral bands could be useful for that purpose.

Keywords: Non-destructive, dry matter, spectroscopy

11:45 am – Noon

An Integrated Approach to Increasing Food Safety Awareness at the Farm Level among Small and Limited Resource Goat Producers in Florida

¹A. McKenzie-Jakes, ¹R. Mobley, DVM, ¹T.E. Peterson, DVM,  ²P. Hunter, DVM, ¹G. Nurse, J.  Beaudouin, ¹G. Bryant, ¹G. Queeley, ¹S. Thompson, ³N. Tillman and ¹L. Anderson. ¹Florida A&M University, Research and Cooperative Extension Program, ²Florida Department of Agriculture (DOACS) and ³Southeaster Small Farmer’s Network. angusboer34@hotmail.com

Many researchers today agree that most food borne illnesses start on the farm. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2007) estimated that 76 million food borne illnesses occur each year in the United States. In 2007, the Master Goat Producers Program was initiated through Florida A&M University’s Research and Cooperative Extension program to address increasing incidents of food borne illness and herd health issues linked to goat production. The goal of this program was to educate producers about the real threat of food borne illnesses. Furthermore the program was established to ensure that producers took strides in protecting their animals and consumers from microbial ford borne contaminations and other infectious diseases.

In view of this a 5 day comprehensive training program was developed for small and limited resource goat producers followed by on-farm inspections.  The program emphasized training on food safety and associated heard health problems with small ruminants.

A survey conducted revealed that prior to attending the program most of the participants were unfamiliar with HACCP (77.78%), biosecurity (66.67%), quality assurance (68.00%) and bioterrorism (57.69%). These results may explain why only 3% of the participants passed the pre-examination. Contrastingly, 89% of the producers passed the post-examination with a score of 70% or greater. From the pool of producers that applied for certification status, 64.3% passed their initial farm inspection and adopted 5 or more sustainable goat production practices on their farm. These results provide convincing evidence that extension programs of this nature are highly warranted.

Keywords: food borne illness, food safety, Master Goat Program

SOCIOECONOMICS AND POLICY (Regency Ballroom)

1:30 – 1:45 pm

Innovative Strategies for Strengthening the Agricultural Sector of Puerto Rico

Javier Rivera-Aquino¹ and Wilfredo Colón-Guasp², ¹President Agricultural Commission, House of Representatives, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, ²Professor and Dean, School of Science and Technology, Universidad del Este, Carolina, Puerto Rico, ue_wcolón@suagm.edu

During the past decade the agricultural sector of Puerto Rico has experienced a decrease in the amount of land under production, number of farmers, number of farms, and contribution of this economic activity to the gross domestic product.  The major challenges to this sector are competition of land resources for urban use, increase in land value, increase in production costs, and lack of farm laborers.  To further augment this situation, the budget earmarked for the Department of Agriculture has been reduced significantly.  The increased consumption of agricultural commodities by emerging markets, increase in the prices of feeds due to the expansion of ethanol production, and increased gas prices are also altering the prices of agricultural commodities.  These global factors are making policymakers aware of the huge potential that lies in strengthening the agricultural sector.  In order to strengthen the agricultural sector various strategies need to be implemented.  These are: to secure the availability of agricultural lands; to secure the availability of water resources; to recognize the right to farm; to provide adequate capital investment; to restructure the Department of Agriculture; to implement a holistic economic development strategy for the rural areas; to develop an agribusiness mentality; to guide the agricultural sector towards increasing its share of institutional markets; and to make sure the resources assigned to the sector are properly accounted for.  We will discuss the specific strategies needed to strengthen the agricultural sector of Puerto Rico in light of the local and global threats and opportunities.

Keywords: competition for land resources; holistic economic development strategy

1:45 – 2:00 pm

Finding an Agricultural Development Model for St. Thomas, USVI – Adapting an Extension Approach to a Small, Densely Populated, Caribbean Island

Richard Pluke Ph.D., Fintrac Inc., St Thomas, US Virgin Islands. richard@fintrac.com

Agriculture is always going to be a little different on St. Thomas. This, the busiest island of the US Virgin Islands, is a small (81km²) island with a population of 50,000 people (population density: 617.3 people/km²) that does not include the 1.5 million tourists that visit the island annually. While steep slopes make for attractive seascape views, it means that there is little suitable land for large agricultural endeavors. The land zoned for agriculture is under constant threat of re-classification to make room for more lucrative residential, tourist and commercial developments. Agricultural inputs are scarce and those that are available are costly. Water resources are limited and unreliable. Agricultural productivity is low and even though markets are strong and prices high, very few people can commit to full-time farming.

Establishing a productive agricultural base that can economically support producers and justify continued government support may require the institutional support of non traditional producers. These producers include small-scale, part-time, home garden producers that have more than a passing resemblance to urban growers. This reflects the growing urban influences on the island and helps understand the particular farming system found on St Thomas.

Extension efforts that rely on using full-time farmers as vehicles of change may not be acknowledging the constraints in the St. Thomas farming system. Adapting to a different client type may be the best way of spending extension dollars. Broad, island-wide educational initiatives, development of community programs/grower groups and an appropriate scaling of technological packages and agricultural inputs will feed into the general interest on the island for food security, lowered grocery bills and better food quality. Fundamental to these extension efforts is giving the non-traditional producers the self-belief that they can produce significant amounts of food and can also be active participants in the island’s food economy.

Keywords: extension; St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; non traditional producers

2:00 – 2:15 pm

Linking Agriculture and Tourism: Constraints and Opportunities with a Focus on Local Food Chains in the U.S. Virgin Islands

S. Crossman¹, C. Robles¹, L. Petersen², E. Wailes³, and F. Mwaijande³.            ¹ University of the Virgin Islands Cooperative Extension Service, RR1, Box 10,000, Kingshill, St. Croix, Virgin Islands 00850; scrossm@uvi.edu; ² Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture, Estate Lower Love, Kingshill, St. Croix, Virgin Islands, 00850, louis.petersen@doa.vi.gov   ³ Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, 217 Agriculture Building, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 7270; ewailes@uark.edu

The linkage between tourism and agriculture in the US Virgin Islands is limited by production, marketing and institutional constraints. A study was conducted to identify and evaluate policy constraints and opportunities to improve this linkage. Focus group analyses of farmers, hospitality personnel, and policy decision-makers were conducted to develop a formal survey questionnaire. Each group was then surveyed in order to identify current and potential production/purchase constraints and opportunities for local food by restaurants in the islands. Seventy percent of restaurants’ food purchases originate less than 10% of local food, 35% of restaurants make no purchases of local foods. However, 97% indicated willingness to purchase if available. In addition to availability constraints, quality, prices, consistency and other factors were determined to be constraints. Lack of producer knowledge of quality and product demand by farmers, and lack of knowledge of availability and outlets by chefs are key constraints. Development of educational exchange and information systems, and a pilot project for production/market contracts for local foods are recommended and are being pursued.

Keywords: agritourism, local foods, constraints, community supported agriculture

2:15 – 2:30 pm

Impact of Various Interventions on Revitalization of the Vital Agricultural Sector in Grenada following the Destruction by Hurricanes Ivan and Emily in 2004 and 2005, Respectively.

Daniel Lewis, Agronomist, Ministry of Agriculture, Grenada. ddclewis@spiceisle.com

Hurricanes Ivan in 2004 and Emily in 2005 severely devastated the vitally important agricultural sector in Grenada. All the major agricultural sub-sectors suffered significant damages. The island’s most important export crop, nutmeg (Myristica fragrans), lost > 90% of its trees. Prior to Hurricane Ivan, Grenada was the second largest producer of nutmeg accounting for 23% of world production. Severe losses impacted in the cocoa and banana industries, forest lands, vegetables production, roots and tubers crops, citrus and minor fruit orchards, ornamental horticultural crops and minor spices (i.e. clove, cinnamon, tonka beans, etc.). The livestock industry, farm and feeder roads, agriculture infrastructure such as agro-industry buildings, warehouses and nurseries suffered substantial damages.

Given the critical importance of the agriculture industry, the Government, with technical and financial support from friendly Governments and international organizations, has expended enormous financial resources in implementing programmes and projects to resuscitate this vital sector. The main interventions have been soft loans credit schemes for farm investments, rehabilitation of nurseries, farmers’ training, capacity building of Ministry of Agriculture technicians, subsidized inputs, implementation of irrigation schemes, transfer of protective culture technology, etc.

The interventions have had varying degrees of success across the different sub-sectors. Impact in vegetable production has been very strong and production has been surpassing pre-hurricanes levels. Irrigation technology has been a major factor for the increase in vegetable production as the high levels of production persist even during the dry season. Egg and pork production have grown considerably, in part, because of the soft loan scheme accessed by many pig and poultry farmers. Extensive training of farmers has contributed to growth. Growth in banana production has been restricted despite significant injection of resources into that sub-sector. The incidence of the black sigatoka (Mycosphaerella fijiensis) disease, identified in Grenada for the first time in November 2005 has impacted negatively on the growth of that crop. Cocoa export has been increasing and is expected to reach 750,000 thousand pounds in 2008. Present production of nutmeg is about 10 % of the pre-hurricanes level and is not expected to increase significantly in the short term since the crop takes 7 to 10 years to attain optimal production.

Keywords: soft loans credit schemes, training, irrigation, black sigatoka

2:30 – 2:45 pm

Agriculture and CARICOM Development:  Millstone or Panacea

Timothy G. Taylor¹ and Brian Francis²,  ¹ Food and Resource Economics Department, University of Florida and ² Department of Economics, University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados. tsquare@ufl.edu

Over the past several decades, there have been numerous policies devised to enhance economic growth and development in CARICOM countries. Many of these policies have emphasized the role of agriculture and have been conceived within the context of the smallness of CARICOM countries.  Examination of real GDP per capita data over the 1970 to 2007 period suggests that smallness may not be as significant in limiting development as is commonly argued, that agriculture may not be as important to economic growth as often believed and that other factors may be at play.  Indeed, those countries which placed less emphasis on agriculture and more emphasis on other elements of their economies seem to have grown faster, despite differences in size. Although these data are anecdotal they point directly to the question: why is it that some CARICOM countries, especially some of the smaller ones, have grown more rapidly in terms of per capita GDP than others? One possibility is the manner in which various CARICOM countries have treated agriculture and how agriculture has influenced their overall development strategies. This paper provides an initial exploration into the hypothesis that the historical production of “traditional” crops such as sugar and bananas, and policies that emphasized agricultural diversification and export promotion as a key component of development strategies have served to inhibit rather than enhance economic growth.  

Keywords:  CARICOM agricultural policy, smallness, economic growth, per capita GDP

3:15 – 3:30 pm

Gleaning After Citrus Mechanical Harvesters – Labor Productivity

Fritz Roka and Barbara Hyman, Food and Resource Economics Department, University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Southwest Research and Education Center,2686 Hwy 29 N, Immokalee, FL34142-9515. fmroka@ufl.edu

Canopy and trunk shakers in properly prepared Florida orange groves recover between 85 and 93 percent of the available fruit. Whether a grower should “glean” the remaining fruit depends on if the unit cost of gleaning is less than the on-tree fruit value. Labor productivity of gleaners is an important component in determining the unit cost of gleaning. Previous work by Polopolus and Emerson indicates that worker productivity of orange harvesters averages between 8 and 10 boxes per hour. Their data, however, are restricted to hand crews working in blocks averaging between 300 and 500 boxes per acre. Workers, or gleaners, who follow mechanical harvesting systems have access to far less fruit, perhaps only between 25 and 75 boxes per acre. The objectives of this paper are to test the hypothesis that worker harvest productivity is positively correlated with crop yield, and if true, estimate the overall effect of crop yield on worker productivity. A data set was assembled from 47 Hamlin orange blocks harvested in southwest Florida between 27 November 2007 and 10 January 2008. Each block was characterized by its total production (boxes per acre), the total boxes harvested by either hand crews or mechanical systems, and the average hourly productivity of hand harvesting crews. A linear model of worker productivity as a function of the log-transformed value of fruit availability was estimated by OLS. The estimated parameter coefficient on fruit availability was positive and statistically significant. The model predicts that worker productivity falls from ten to nearly five boxes per hour when fruit availability decreases from 500 to 25 boxes per acre. In order to for all workers to earn at least $8 per hour, the harvesting piece rate must increase from 80-cents for hand harvesters to $1.50 per box for gleaners.

Keywords: gleaner productivity, citrus mechanical harvesting

3:30 – 3:45 pm

Sweetpotato Export Market Development to the European Union

D.H. Picha, School of Plant, Environmental and Soil Sciences, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

dpicha1@lsu.edu

Sweetpotatoes (Ipomoea batatas) are significantly increasing in import volume and consumer demand in the E.U. The leading suppliers of sweetpotatoes to the E.U. are the U.S. and Israel, with lesser volumes originating from Egypt, Jamaica, Brazil, Honduras, and China. The principal European importing country is the U.K., in which the per capita consumption of sweetpotatoes currently is experiencing one of the most rapid increases among all fresh produce items. Although sweetpotatoes are still a minor vegetable in other E.U. nations, demand is rising as the major supermarket retailers throughout Europe now stock sweetpotatoes throughout the year. Orange-skin and orange-flesh roots are preferred among all the major supermarket retail chains. Smaller independent grocers, particularly in demographically diverse urban areas, offer a range of orange, cream, and white-flesh roots. The vast majority of sales are for conventionally-grown product, although there is a steadily increasing market demand for organically-grown sweetpotatoes. All sweetpotato suppliers selling product to the major European retail chain stores must comply with GlobalGap requirements. Large size roots (350 to 450 gm) are preferred for bulk displays, while medium size (150 to 200 gm) roots are preferred for pre-weighed 500 gm to 1 kg consumer packs. Three to 5 roots are typically put in a perforated polyethylene bag, depending on total pack weight. Blocky shaped roots are preferred over elongated ones. The principal constraints in sweetpotato arrival quality in the E.U. are root shrivel, surface mold, root skinning, bruising injury, dull skin coloration, Rhizopus soft rot, and Penicillium surface mold. The carbohydrate composition and nutrient content was determined from the roots of the leading sweetpotato cultivars marketed in the E.U. A wide range in individual sugars, carotenoid, and mineral content was found between cultivars. Significant market opportunities exist for those suppliers who can provide the E.U. market with consistent supplies of high quality sweetpotatoes.

Keywords: Ipomoea batatas, postharvest care, marketing channels

3:45 – 4:00 pm

4-H Munchy Adventures Project Book

Nancy J. Gal¹, Natasha Masciarelli² and Norma Samuel³. ¹ Family and Consumer Sciences, Extension Agent IV; ² Marketing and Public Relations Specialist and ³ Urban Horticulture Extension Agent II.  University of Florida/IFAS Marion County Extension Service, 2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala, Florida 34470-3615.  norma.samuel@marioncountyfl.org

Youth are faced with many lifestyle choices, some of which can negatively impact their health. The key is early intervention in adopting positive lifestyle behaviors which support normal growth and development, disease prevention, and wellness. The 4-H Munchy Adventures curriculum is a multi-disciplined, multi-generational program for youth ages eight to ten, promoting healthy lifestyle choices early in life. Youth journey through fun and engaging activities encouraging consumption of healthy snacks and participation in physical activity as part of an appropriate healthy lifestyle plan. The curriculum follows the experiential learning model and contains five eye-appealing chapters including MyPyramid, Fuel Up, Fill Up Your Tank, Nutrition Facts, and the Ultimate Challenge, plus a creative pre/post test crossword puzzle. The chapters provide a logical flow of information supported by thought provoking and reflective written activities including refrigerator find, menu planning, label reading, time to get moving, and nutritious snack recipes. Chef Nicky, the fruit and vegetable loving guinea pig mascot, guides youth through different activities designed to be done individually as well as with family, club and community members. All activities can be easily adapted for use by all cultures and ethnic audiences. The Take Charge section focuses on goal setting and community involvement, encouraging youth to identify local needs to help others make healthy lifestyle changes. The final chapter, set up as a board game, serves as an additional tool reinforcing the importance of adopting recommended nutrition and physical activity behaviors. It brings together the concepts learned throughout the curriculum for the ultimate learning experience. Forty-six youth pilot tested the book. Results indicated 100% increase in knowledge gain (pre/post test) as well as 91.3% reporting intent to change at least two nutrition and/or physical activity behaviors.  The 4-H Munchy Adventures Project book will be available for national distribution through the University of Florida/IFAS 4-H Extension Service in fall of 2008. 

Keywords: youth, nutrition, physical activity

4:00 – 4:15 pm

La Regencia Agropecuaria en Costa Rica

Edgar  Rojas-Cabezas. Fiscalía Ejecutiva. Colegio de Ingenieros Agrónomos de Costa Rica. erojas@ingagr.or.cr; erojascabezas@gmail.com

Hace más de 40 años el Colegio de Ingenieros Agrónomos de Costa Rica ha venido realizando una importante contribución al desarrollo del modelo de Regencias Agropecuarias Costarricense.  Dicha participación se refleja a nivel nacional en aspectos tales como legislación, capacitación, implementación, seguimiento y fiscalización del proceso.

El análisis del sistema de la “Regencia Agropecuaria Costarricense”, representa una excelente oportunidad para examinar y comprender no sólo el proceso que lleva a cabo el Colegio de Ingenieros Agrónomos, sino también la figura técnica misma del Regente, encargada de velar porque las actividades del establecimiento regentado se sujeten a la normativa vigente en su relación con la sociedad.

El Regente es responsable y asesor de varios elementos técnicos en aquellos establecimientos  que mantienen actividades agropecuarias; le corresponde al Regente la fiscalización en aspectos relativos al comercio, transporte, almacenamiento, adecuada identidad, buen estado de los agroquímicos y otros productos normados, alimentos concentrados y material genético, pero ante todo la asesoría técnica para el manejo adecuado e integral del establecimiento.           

El Regente además es responsable de que los agroquímicos de mayor peligrosidad y los que se declaren restringidos se comercialicen bajo receta profesional y con todas las precauciones ambientales y humanas requeridas.

En el sistema Regencial Costarricense hay inscritos un total de 763 establecimientos, que agrupados en 7 categorías regenciales diferentes brindan empleo a 518 profesionales, en quienes recaen las responsabilidades técnicas ya enunciadas.

El caso “Costa Rica” en materia de Regencias Agropecuarias, corresponde a un modelo que se ha consolidado a lo largo del tiempo, que es mejorable, pero que también se desea difundir para que otros países del área, lo tomen como guía que, adaptada a sus necesidades sirva para subsanar vacíos técnicos y legales presentes en la actividad agropecuaria local.

Palabras clave: Regencia agropecuaria, Fiscalización, Regente, Costa Rica

4:15 – 4:30 pm

4-H Garden Project Builds Positive Life Skills in Youth

Nancy Gal, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent IV and Norma Samuel, Urban Horticulture Agent II; University of Florida / IFAS Marion County Extension Service. 2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala, FL 34470-3615. norma.samuel@marioncountyfl.org

Since the 1890’s, 4-H has been America’s premier youth development program, helping young people become healthy, problem solving, constructive adults. The essential elements which serve as guiding principles are: belonging, independence, mastery, and generosity.  The opportunities for meeting these elements and building life skills in youth are numerous. A vegetable garden project is an excellent way to develop several life skills including decision making, record keeping, enhanced self-esteem, and good work ethic.  It also promotes a healthy lifestyle by developing an enjoyment in gardening and consumption of fresh vegetables. The objectives of this project are to teach youth: basic horticulture skills to implement a garden plan; how to make educated decisions in the care of their gardens based on knowledge gain; utilization of vegetables grown as part of a healthy nutrition plan; and to encourage a sense of citizenship through donations of vegetables to those in need.  The garden project begins each year with interested youth attending a mandatory workshop to receive instruction on garden-site selection, soil sampling, soil preparation, appropriate fertilization and irrigation techniques, and cultural practices to care for a spring vegetable garden. Throughout the project instructional newsletters are distributed providing pertinent and timely information. Youth are encouraged to keep a garden record book, present a demonstration to their club members, research nutrition information on vegetables grown, and prepare a dish to serve family and friends. Over the last two years summative evaluations of 148 youth participants were collected from garden judging, vegetable exhibits, and record book scores. Results found: 98% completed the project; 75% received a blue ribbon score of 90% or higher on their record book; 100% prepared at least one recipe from the vegetables grown, and a follow-up survey of ten youth indicated 100% knowledge gain and reported developing record keeping, time management, decision making, and problem solving skills and enhanced self esteem.

Keywords: vegetable garden, life skills, youth

4:30 – 4:45 pm

Biotechnology: Prospects for Development in Emerging Economies, the Case of the Caribbean

Malachy Dottin, Biotechnologist, PhD, UN BCH Regional Advisor for Biotechnology and Biosafety in the Caribbean. Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Forestry and Fisheries, Ministerial Complex, Botanical Gardens, Tanteen, St. George’s, Grenada, West Indies. malachyd@hotmail.com
 

Biotechnology has rapidly emerged as a top priority on the CARICOM agenda. The fast pace of development in the field of biotechnology has given rise to two challenges in the Caribbean region to convince producers and consumers of its benefits, and to assess its potential risks and impact. Despite the apparent controversy, the appropriate application of advances in biotechnology can contribute to food security and to the sustainable use of natural resources in the Caribbean. Both agricultural technology and biosafety have become important issues for the Caribbean Region. On the one hand, food must be produced for a growing population, and on the other, food production must comply with environmental regulation, such as the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, the Convention on Biological Diversity and the trade rules being enforced by the World Trade Organization (WTO).  Modern biotechnology provides both opportunities and challenges, provided Caribbean countries increase the capacity of their national research systems. Biotechnology has the potential to support national efforts towards food security, increase exports and achieve sustainable development in the region. The countries of the region require appropriate infrastructures that permit them to acquire, absorb, develop and efficiently manage biotechnologies. The creation of enabling conditions must be addressed to obtain the potential benefits of these new technologies and to minimize any possible adverse effects on the environment, on human health or on agricultural productive systems.  The first step to be taken by a government wishing to create a suitable environment to benefit from the potential of biotechnology, improve agricultural productivity and mitigate concerns about potential adverse effects is to implement its regulatory framework to ensure the safe use of biotechnology products in an opportune and effective manner. This presentation is intended to outline the wealth of biodiversity in the Caribbean and to present an overview of the current biosafety regulations in the region.

Keywords: Cartegena Protocol, regulatory framework, biodiversity

4:45 – 5:00 pm

The University of Florida IFAS Center for Tropical Agriculture

Richard E. Litz, Director, Center for Tropical Agriculture, Tropical Research and Education Center, University of Florida, 18905 SW 280 St., Homestead FL 33031-3314. relitz@ufl.edu

The Center for Tropical Agriculture aspires to be a major interdisciplinary center for tropical agriculture with expertise in capacity building, technical assistance, and research related to agriculture and agro-ecosystems in the humid tropics and subtropics. The Center provides capacity building for degree-seeking students and trainees who seek professional, leadership, and executive positions in tropical agriculture. Students can obtain postgraduate minors in Tropical Agriculture at the M.S. and Ph.D. levels. The Center addresses issues that impact tropical agriculture and agro ecosystems of Florida and of the humid tropics and subtropics worldwide.  The major focus areas include: 1) production agriculture for crops and livestock; 2) invasive species; 3) conservation and utilization of genetic resources and biodiversity; 4) effects of climate change on tropical agriculture; 5) environmental and economic sustainability of tropical agriculture; 6) food security and nutrition; and 7) food technology and safety.

Keywords: interdisciplinary, humid tropics and subtropics, capacity building

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Crop Protection & Pest Management (Mediterranean East)

8:00 – 8:15 am

Green Genetic Engineering Technology: The Use of Endogenous Genes to Create Fungal Disease-Resistant Grapevines

D.J. Gray¹, S.A. Dhekney¹, Z.T. Li¹ and T.W. Zimmerman^2, 1Mid-Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida/IFAS, 2725 Binion Rd., Apopka, FL 32703 and 2Biotechnology & Agroforestry, University of the Virgin Islands, RR# 1, Box 10,000, Kingshill, St. Croix, VI 00850   djg@ufl.edu

Although established in the 1500’s in the Caribbean region, Vitis vinifera grape has not become a major crop due to its susceptibility to tropical and sub-tropical diseases. However, consumption of grape is high. The US Virgin Islands imported 102,686 kg of fresh grapes worth $236,000 in 2004. Florida is the 2nd largest consumer of grape products in the US but imports nearly all because the market prefers varieties of V. vinifera. Use of genetic engineering technology to add disease resistance to otherwise desirable varieties is an attractive approach to establishing a V. vinifera-based agriculture in the Caribbean. Endogenous genes isolated directly from grapevine were engineered for enhanced expression and transformed into V. vinifera ‘Merlot’, ‘Shiraz’ and ‘Thompson Seedless’, plus Vitis hybrid ‘Seyval Blanc’. Transgenic plant lines were selected via greenhouse screening based on resistance to powdery mildew. Outstanding lines were vegetatively propagated and established, along with non-transgenic controls, into USDA APHIS-approved field test sites at UVI St. Croix and UF/IFAS Florida in 2007. Vines grew rapidly and began to fruit in 2008. Based on preliminary results, certain transgenic lines exhibit significant resistance to black rot disease compared to non-transgenic control lines. Evaluation for resistance to anthracnose and powdery mildew diseases will occur during summer of 2008. Because these are three of the most serious tropical/sub-tropical fungal diseases of V. vinifera, availability of resistant lines will provide new opportunities for production in the region. Our adaptation of endogenous genes to modulate disease resistance is a first step in creating “green transgenic plants” that contain only genetic elements from grapevine, thus eliminating concerns about incorporation of foreign genes in GMO’s.

Keywords: grape, genetic engineering, disease resistance, anthracnose, powdery mildew, black rot

8:15 – 8:30 am

The Citrus Tristeza Virus (CTV) in Commercial Orchards and Nurseries in the Dominican Republic*

Luis Matos¹ & Julio Borbón². ¹Instituto Dominicano de Investigaciones Agropecuarias y Forestales (IDIAF), and ² Facultad de Ciencias Agronómicas y Veterinarias, Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD), Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. lmatos@idiaf.org.do

The Citrus Tristeza Virus (CTV) represents the most important disease in Dominican citrus production. From March to September 2007, a survey was carried out to determine the actual status of the CTV. Nine nurseries were sampled taking 1 or 2 % of total trees according their size; 700 samples were collected. During the field sampling, 42 orchards were sampled in 18 provinces around the country, with 3200 trees sampled. A plot design of 400 trees (20 rows x 20 trees) were used taking 100 samples in each one.  Six different cultivars were sampled: sweet oranges (cv. ‘Valencia’ and ‘Washington Navel’), Persian lime, grapefruit, mandarin and ‘Criollo lime’ (‘Mexican lime’). Direct Tissue Blot Immunoassay (DTBIA) using nitrocellulose membranes 0.45 µm was used for serological test. Two types of different monoclonal antibodies were used, one of them (MCA-13) to detect severe strains of the CTV, and a mix of two antibodies (3DF1-3CA5) for general strains. The survey showed that seven out of nine nurseries were positive to both antibodies, while the field samples were all of them positive to both antibodies. At the same time the results of the nurseries showed, that budwood used in different nurseries are highly infected with CTV. There were no differences between both antibodies used in these test. These results suggest a relatively homogeneous population of severe and mild strains of CTV dispersed throughout the Dominican Republic.

Keywords: CTV, monoclonal antibodies, serological test.

El Virus de la Tristeza de los Cítricos (CTV) en Plantaciones Comerciales y Viveros de la República Dominicana

Luis Matos¹ & Julio Borbón². ¹Instituto Dominicano de Investigaciones Agropecuarias y Forestales (IDIAF) y ² Facultad de Ciencias Agronómicas y Veterinarias, Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD), Santo Domingo, República Dominicana. lmatos@idiaf.org.do

El Virus de la Tristeza de los Cítricos (CTV) es la principal limitante de la producción citrícola en la República Dominicana. En el período marzo a octubre del 2007 se realizaron muestreos en viveros y plantaciones comerciales para determinar el estatus actual del CTV. Se muestrearon nueve viveros tomando entre 1 y 2 % del total de plantas para un total de 700 plantas muestreadas. A nivel de campo se muestrearon 42 plantaciones en 18 provincias del país, tomando 3200 muestras. Se usaron bloques de 400 plantas, con una configuración de 20 hileras x 20 plantas, tomando 100 muestras en cada uno.  Seis diferentes cultivares fueron muestreados, los cuales fueron, naranjas dulces (cv. ‘Valencia’ y ‘Washington Navel’), ‘limón Persa’, mandarinas, toronjas y limón Criollo (‘Lima Mexicana’). Se utilizó la técnica serológica de impresión directa del tejido (DTBIA) sobre membranas de nitrocelulosa de 0.45 µm. Se usaron dos tipos de anticuerpos monoclonales, uno de los cuales (MCA-13) reconoce las razas severas y otro tipo compuesto de la mezcla de dos anticuerpos (3DF1-3CA5), que reconocen todas las razas del CTV. Los análisis indican que siete de los nueve viveros muestreados reaccionaron a ambos anticuerpos, mientras que las muestras de campo todas fueron positivas a ambos anticuerpos. Estos resultados muestran que el CTV está ampliamente distribuido en las diferentes regiones productoras de cítricos del país. Los resultados de viveros presentan altos niveles de contaminación, indicando que las fuentes de yemas utilizadas por los viveristas están contaminadas. No hubo diferencias en los resultados entre los diferentes anticuerpos utilizados, por lo que las razas severas y no severas están interactuando juntas en la citricultura dominicana.

Palabras claves: CTV, anticuerpos monoclonales, análisis serológicos.

8:30 – 8:45 am

Acibenzolar-S-Methyl and PGPR Increases Host Resistance in Squash to Phytophthora Blight under Greenhouse Conditions

Shouan Zhang¹, Thomas L. White¹, Miriam C. Martinez¹, Joseph W. Kloepper² and Waldemar Klassen¹.  ¹Tropical Research & Education Center, University of Florida, IFAS, Homestead, FL, and ²Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University, AL. szhang0007@ufl.edu

Phytophthora blight disease caused by Phytophthora capsici threatens vegetable production worldwide.  With the imposition of the phase-out restrictions of methyl bromide, it is imperative that viable alternatives to methyl bromide be developed to sustain production of vulnerable vegetables including squash in Florida.  Greenhouse studies have been conducted to evaluate the potential of the use of Acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM; Actigard 50WG) and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR; SE34 and IN973b) for control of Phytophthora blight on squash.  Seeds of the squash F1 hybrid HMX 5703 were planted in a Styrofoam flat containing potting mix.  Two applications of the inducing agents were performed by soil drench 1 and 2 weeks after planting (WAP), respectively.  Squash plants were inoculated with P. capsici at 3 WAP by applying 5 ml of suspensions of P. capsici spores (2×10⁴ spores/ml) to the soil.  Inoculated plants were placed on benches in the greenhouse for 7 days when disease was rated according to a disease rating scale of 0-5. Treatments were arranged as randomized complete blocks with five replications and two plants per replication.  The experiment was performed three times. Data from this experiment indicate that Actigard at 30 and 3 mg/l and PGPR strain SE34 at 10⁷ CFU/ml significantly (P<0.05) reduced disease severity of Phytophthora blight of squash.  ASM at 30 mg/l provided the greatest protection in squash plants against P. capsici.  No disease symptom developed on squash plants treated with SAM at 30 mg/l while nontreated inoculated plants collapsed due to the infection of P. capsici.  The results suggest that ASM and PGPR are effective against P. capsici and may be incorporated in integrated management strategies for control of Phytophthora blight of squash.

Keywords:  squash, Phytophthora capsici, induced disease resistance

8:45 – 9:00 am

Management of Watermelon Vine Decline Caused by Squash Vein Yellowing Virus in South Florida.

P.D. Roberts¹, P.A. Stansly¹, S. Adkins², and W.W. Turecheck², ¹University of Florida, Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, Immokalee, FL and ² USDA-ARS, U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory, Fort Pierce, FL USA. pdr@ufl.edu

Watermelon vine decline (WVD) causes plant decline and death and was first reported in Florida the spring of 2003.  Squash vein yellowing virus (SqVYV), the causal agent of WVD in Florida, is vectored by the silverleaf whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Biotype “B”).  Two seasons of field trials were conducted to investigate management of WVD by applications of insecticides, systemic acquired resistance (SAR) inducers, biological control agents, and other materials.  Applications were made at weekly intervals throughout the growing season.  Disease incidence (percentage of symptomatic plants per plot) was initially lower in plots receiving some of the some treatments but was not different at the end of the season from untreated plants. However, disease severity, rated on a 0-5 scale where 0= no symptoms and 5=plant dead, was significantly decreased for plants receiving insecticidal regimes without or with SAR inducers.  Yield and marketable fruit were increased by these same treatments.  Similarly, whitefly population counted as adult whitefly/leaf was decreased compared to untreated plants.  In 2007, Cucurbit leaf crumple virus also vectored by the same whitefly was seen for the first time on watermelon in south Florida.  Growers have increased their usage of insecticides to manage whiteflies but remain in need of effective management options for the dual threat represented by these two virus diseases of watermelon.  

 Keywords: plant disease management, cucurbit virus

9:00 – 9:15 am

Comparison of Performance of Different Plastic Films for Soil Solarization

Harsimran K Gill¹, Robert McSorley¹, Gaurav Goyal^{1, 2}, Jeffery E. Pack³, and Heidi Hanspetersen^{1, 1}Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, ²Everglades Research and Education Center, Belle Glade, FL, ³Plant Medicine Program, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.  simgill@ufl.edu

Soil solarization, an important practice for home and vegetable gardens, is also used commercially in areas with very high solar radiation and air temperatures during summers. This is a common technique using clear polyethylene sheets to manage harmful insects, diseases, nematodes, fungi, and weeds in soil.  Five different kinds of plastic sheets commonly available to growers were evaluated for durability, weather tolerance, and effectiveness in reducing soil weeds. The experiment was conducted for six weeks beginning in first week of July 2007, which is the best time for soil solarization due to high temperature and light intensity. Various parameters were evaluated including tolerance of plastic sheets to sunlight, their durability, weed growth under different kinds of plastic sheets, and their comparative availability to growers. Soil temperatures at different depths, viz. 5 and 15 cm, were recorded in each treatment. Results allow comparison of efficacy of different kinds of plastic sheets with respect to their weather tolerance and effectiveness in reducing weeds.

Keywords: soil solarization, plastic sheets, durability, weed control

9:15 – 9:30 am

Policy Implications of the Entry of Black Sigatoka (Mycosphaerella fijiensis) into Puerto Rico

E. A. Evans¹ and C. I  Alamo². ¹Tropical Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Homestead, FL, and ² Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, PR. eaevans@ufl.edu

Plantains and bananas are the principal crops in Puerto Rico, with the 2004 crop valued at US $89.8 million, representing 29 percent of the total annual Gross Agricultural Crops Income (GACI).  After many years of being free of black sigatoka, the disease was detected in Puerto Rico in August 2004. The disease, which is caused by the fungus Mycosphaerella fijiensis, affects plantains and bananas and can reduce yields by as much as 90 percent. Government agencies have been funding research and assisting growers with the cost of treating the disease, but budgetary constraints may force the government to substantially scale back on funding these programs. The presence of the disease and the fact that eradication is highly improbable has also raised concerns over whether the current trade policy that restricts, the importation of plantains and bananas is no longer warranted. Consequently, this paper addresses two questions:

1.       Should the government continue to subsidize the cost of treating the disease while maintaining strict prohibitions on plantain and banana imports?

2.       Should the government remove the prohibitions on plantain and banana imports while still providing assistance to growers to treat the disease?

The research utilizes an Equilibrium Displacement Model (EDM) to assess the effects of the proposed policy changes on plantain and banana prices, production, consumption, and revenue and welfare.

The results suggest that it make sense for the government to continue to assist growers with treating the disease. The results also suggest that the modest gains to be made from opening of the market to imports of these commodities might not be sufficient to outweigh the potential losses that could arise from inadvertently introducing other invasive pests and diseases such a Moko disease and Papaya Fruit Fly which are sometimes transmitted via banana imports and can cause serious damage to the agriculture and ornamental industries.

Keywords: invasive species, equilibrium displacement model, black sigatoka (Mycosphaerella fijiensis)

9:30 – 9:45 am

Use of Hay, Green, and Plastic Mulches to Suppress Nutsedge in Horticultural Crops

Shabana, Yasser¹, Rosskopf, E.², Morales-Payán J.P.³, Abou Tabl, A.H.¹, Klassen, W.⁴, and Charudattan, R.^{1 1}Department of Plant Pathology, University of Florida, 1453 Fifield Hall, PO Box 110680, Gainesville, FL 32611; ²USDA, ARS, USHRL, 2001 South Rock Road, Fort Pierce, FL 34945; ³Department of Horticulture, University of Puerto Rico - Mayagüez Campus, PO Box 9030, Mayagüez, PR 00681; ⁴Tropical REC, 18905 SW 280 St., PO Box 111569, Homestead, FL 33031. yassershabana2@yahoo.com

Purple and yellow nutsedges (Cyperus rotundus and C. esculentus, respectively) are among the most serious weed problems in Florida, Caribbean, and other parts of the world. They have been reported to cause yield losses of 20-89% in various horticultural crops. Production systems based on plastic mulch and methyl bromide soil fumigation are used for nutsedge suppression in many conventional vegetable cropping systems.  When methyl bromide has been totally phased out, the losses due to nutsedges are expected to increase in conventional horticultural crops. Organic production will continue to suffer due to a lack of effective weed control measures. Thus, 10 organic hays (shoot straw of bahiagrass, cogongrass, cowpea, millet, nutsedge, sorghum Sudangrass, sunnhemp, rye, corn, and sugarcane bagasse), four green mulches (cowpea, millet, sorghum Sudangrass, and sunnhemp), and two plastic mulches (black and IRT) were tested for their efficacy in suppressing purple and yellow nutsedge growth in a raised bed tomato (cv. Tygress) field. The black plastic mulch consistently reduced nutsedge emergence and growth more than the organic mulches and the IRT plastic mulch. All green organic mulches, except the green sunnhemp, were more suppressive to nutsedge emergence and growth than hay mulches. Among the organic mulches, the greatest suppressive effect on nutsedge was found when using green sorghum, green millet, and congongrass hay. Although cogongrass hay did not enhance the total yield, it influenced the proportion of larger fruits. The highest yield of extra large tomatoes per plant was obtained when cogongrass hay was used as mulch. However, the use of black plastic increased the total yield and the proportion of larger fruit.

Keywords: Nutsedge, organic mulch, tomato

9:45 – 10:00 am

Mortality to Giant African Snail Achatina fulica Bowdich and Non-Target Snails using Select Molluscicides

Matthew A. Ciomperlik^a, David G. Robinson^b, Ian H. Gibbs^c, Angela Fields^d, Timothy Stevens^e, and Bret M. Taylor^c. ^aUSDA, CPHST, Pest Detection and Management Laboratory Edinburg, TX 78541. ^bUSDA PPQ NIS, Academy of Sciences, 1900 Ben Franklin Pkwy Philadelphia, PA  19103. ^cMinistry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Christ Church, Graeme Hall, Barbados. ^dUniversity of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, P.O. Box 64, Bridgetown, Barbados. ^eUSDA APHIS PPQ Eastern Region, 1815 Gardner Dr., Wilmington, NC 28405. Matt.A.Ciomperlik@aphis.usda.gov

Laboratory bioassays and caged field trials were conducted to compare molluscicide effects on the neonate, juvenile, and adult development stages of giant African snail (GAS) (Achatina fulica) and three non-target snail species in Barbados.  Nine commercially available molluscicides, diatomaceous earth, and a kaolin clay product (Surround WP) were evaluated.  High levels of mortality to neonate GAS were seen in all the laboratory molluscicide bioassays except for Surround and diatomaceous earth.  Highest mortalities to neonate GAS occurred during field trials testing Durham granules and Slugfest.  Deadline, Durham granules, Metarex, and Orcal pellets caused the highest rates of mortality to juvenile GAS in field trials.  For adult GAS several molluscicides including Blitzem, Deadline, Durham Granules, Mesurol 75W, Metarex, Orcal pellet, and Slugfest caused greater than 95% mortality in laboratory bioassays.  Field trials showed Durham granules and Slugfest yielded the highest mortality rates.  Sluggo pellet did not cause significant mortality to juvenile and adult GAS in our field trials, but did cause significant mortality to neonate GAS.  The majority of the molluscicides tested in our trials were equally or more lethal to Pleurodonte isabella, Bulimulus guadalupensis, and Zachrysia provisoria than GAS.  Our results identify several effective commercially available molluscicides that can be used to control incipient populations of GAS.  However, our results show that the potential impact on non-target snail species during control or eradication programs may be significant, causing substantial mortality regardless of what brand, active ingredient, or formulation is used. Mention of a proprietary product does not imply endorsement by USDA.

Keywords:  Giant African snail, molluscicides, non-target effects

10:30 – 10:45 am

The Presence and Distribution of the Red Palm Mite, Raoiella indica Hirst (Acari: Tenuipalpidae), in Trinidad

Chanderbhan Shripat, F. Hosein, P. Siew and Y. Ali. Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Marine Resources, Central Experiment Station, Research Division, Centeno, Trinidad, c_shripat@yahoo.com                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

The red palm mite, Raoiella indica Hirst (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) is an invasive alien species (IAS), which was first detected in the Western Hemisphere in the island of Martinique in 2004. It has since spread to Dominica (2005), Dominican Republic (2006), Puerto Rico (2006), Trinidad (2006), St. Vincent (2007) Jamaica (2007), and Grenada (2007). The pest has the potential to quickly spread to new locations by wind currents or human activities. R. indica was first detected in Trinidad in March 2006. Surveillance activities revealed that the pest was rapidly dispersing to new areas. During the months of July-September 2007 a survey was conducted to detect the presence and distribution of red palm mite and native natural enemies in Trinidad. Ten coconuts farms were randomly selected from each of the eight counties and two trees were sampled from each farm. In each case samples were taken from the 3rd and 9th fronds and examined in the laboratory for red palm mite and natural enemies. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS), Version 7.5. Red palm mite was present in all counties, but the numbers observed in each county were significantly different (p<0.000).  Nariva/Mayaro and St. Andrew/St. David had significantly (p<0.05) more mites than the other counties. The predominant natural enemy was Amblyseius largoensis (Acari: Phytoseiidae), however the population of these were low ranging from nine in St. Patrick East to 81 in St. George West. Counties with higher populations were those with large coconut farms >20.0 hectares. Since the red palm mite was found to be widespread surveys should also be conducted in the dry season and long term population dynamics studies should be initiated. Natural enemies should be reared and multiplied in the laboratory for augmenting populations in the environment, while the possibility exists for using classical biological control to manage the pest.

Keywords: Raoiella indica, predators, Trinidad

10:45 – 11:00 am

Establishment of Doryctobracon areolatus (Szépligeti) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) an Exotic Parasitoid of Anastrepha spp. (Diptera: Tephritidae) in the Dominican Republic*

C. Serra¹, M. Ferreira¹, S. García¹, M. Castillo², C. Nolasco³, P. Morales⁴, T. Holler⁵ & A. Roda⁵. ¹Instituto Dominicano de Investigaciones Agropecuarias y Forestales (IDIAF), ²Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo, ³DSV-Secretaría de Estado de Agricultura, ⁴USDA-APHIS, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; ⁵USDA-APHIS-PPQ, Florida, E.U.A. cserra@idiaf.org.do

Preliminary studies were conducted by IDIAF and a multidisciplinary team in diverse zones of the Dominican Republic with high populations of tropical fruit flies, and thereby we established a database on the most important fruit fly species, Anastrepha obliqua and A. suspensa, and on the native braconid parasitoid, Utetes anastrephae. Two zones were selected, one in the South (Hato Damas (HD), and the other in the Northeast (Mata Larga (ML), to develop a program for classical biological control with exotic parasitoids reared in Chiapas, Mexico. During 20 weeks starting in June 2005, 5072 (HD) or 2182 (ML) wasps were released in 20 trees of Spondias spp. or other hosts in each of the zones. During three fruiting periods until September 2007, fruits of host trees were periodically collected. The numbers of fruits, fruit weights, reared larvae/pupae, emerged flies, native and exotic parasitoids (species and sexes) were registered. In 2007, in the zone of HD, exotic parasitoids were obtained in 16 of 18 monitored localities with parasitism varying between 1.1 and 100% and with parasitism by the native species varying between 11.1 and 87.5%. The exotic parasites dominated temporally in over 50% of the monitored localities. Emergences occurred from fruits of Spondias mombin, S. purpurea, S. cytherea, Psidium guajava, Averrhoa carambola and Szygium malaccensis. Detection of D. areolatus happened at 6 km (South), 7 km (Southeast) and 50 km (North) from the nearest liberation sites of HD. In ML, the establishment of D. areolatus was only confirmed at the end of the study. Previously, during almost a year, no D. areolatus  was recovered, possibly due to a low availability of Anastrepha host plants and reduced number of released parasitoids.

Keywords: classical biological control, fruit flies, Spondias spp.

Establecimiento de Doryctobracon areolatus (Szépligeti) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), Parasitoide Exótico de Anastrepha spp. (Diptera: Tephritidae), en la República Dominicana

C. Serra¹, M. Ferreira¹, S. García¹, M. Castillo², C. Nolasco³, P. Morales⁴, T. Holler⁵ & A. Roda⁵. ¹Instituto Dominicano de Investigaciones Agropecuarias y Forestales (IDIAF), ²Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo, ³DSV-Secretaría de Estado de Agricultura, ⁴USDA-APHIS, Santo Domingo, República Dominicana; ⁵USDA-APHIS, Florida, E.U.A. cserra@idiaf.org.do

Estudios preliminares realizados por el IDIAF y un equipo multidisciplinario en diversas zonas del país con alta presencia de moscas de las frutas permitieron establecer una base de datos sobre las moscas de las frutas más importantes, Anastrepha obliqua y A. suspensa, y sobre el parasitoide bracónido nativo Utetes anastrephae. Se seleccionaron dos zonas, una en el Sur (Hato Damas (HD) y otra en el Nordeste del país (Mata Larga (ML), para desarrollar un programa de control biológico clásico con parasitoides exóticos criados en Chiapas, México. Durante 20 semanas a partir de junio 2005 se liberaron 5,072 (HD) o 2,182 (ML) avispitas en 20 árboles de Spondias spp. u otros hospederos en cada una de las zonas. Durante tres períodos de fructificación, hasta septiembre del 2007, se recogieron periódicamente frutos de árboles hospederos. Se registraron las cantidades de frutos, pesos, larvas/pupas obtenidas, emergencia de moscas (especie y sexos), parasitoides nativos y exóticos. En 2007, en la zona de HD, se obtuvieron parasitoides exóticos en 16 de los 18 lugares muestreados con 1.1 a 100% de parasitismo, variando este último en combinación con la especie nativa entre 11.1 y 87.5%. Los exóticos dominaron temporalmente en más del 50% de los lugares muestreados. Emergieron de Spondias mombin, S. purpurea, S. cytherea, Psidium guajava, Averrhoa carambola y Szygium malaccensis. Se detectaron D. areolatus a 6 km (Sur), 7 km (Sureste) y 50 km (Norte) desde los lugares de liberación más cercanos de HD. En ML se pudo confirmar el establecimiento de D. areolatus finalizando el estudio. Anteriormente, durante aproximadamente un año, no fue recuperado, posiblemente debido a la insuficiente disponibilidad de plantas hospederas de Anastrepha y menor cantidad de parasitoides liberados.

Palabras claves: Control biológico clásico, moscas de las frutas, Spondias spp.

11:00 – 11:15 am

Four Corn Silk Fly Species and Counting: Which Ones are Primary Pests?

Gaurav Goyal¹, Gregg S. Nuessly¹, and Harsimran K. Gill²

¹Everglades Research and Education Center, 3200 East Palm Beach Road, PO Box 8003, Belle Glade, FL 33430-8003; and ²Dept. of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Bldg. 970 Natural Area Drive, PO Box 110620, Gainesville, FL Gainesville.  goyalgau@ufl.edu

Corn silk fly is considered a serious pest of sweet corn, Zea mays L., in Caribbean countries (e.g., Dominica, St. Vincent, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Antigua) as well as in many South, Central and North American states.  We have identified four species of picture-winged flies from corn in Florida: Euxesta eluta Loew, E. annonae (F.), E. stigmatias Loew, and Chaetopsis massyla (F.) (Diptera: Ulidiidae).  Infestation by some lepidopteran larvae is usually found in corn ears along with larvae of these flies.  Thus, it is not known which species primarily attack otherwise healthy ears, and which are only found in ears inhabited or previously damaged by other dipterous or lepidopterous species.  Greenhouse studies were conducted in which undamaged as well as damaged corn ears were enclosed with flies of each species.  Field experiments were also conducted to support the results from green house experiment.  Evidence of any of these species being secondary only can influence grower’s control decisions. 

Keywords: Corn silk fly, primary, secondary

11:15 – 11:30 am

Developing Surveillance Systems for Pests and Invasive Species- Lessons Learnt from the Jamaican Perspective and Implications for the Wider Caribbean

P. Chung¹ and D. Clarke-Harris², ¹Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Jamaica; and ²Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) Jamaica Unit. Chung p2@yahoo.com; dclarkeharris@yahoo.com

Food safety and food security issues have gained heightened importance during the current millennium, attaining a global peak in recent months.  The continued growth in international travel and trade from globalization along with security and environmental threats, further exacerbate these issues. In today’s knowledge-driven economy, the generation and dissemination of information is vital to their successful management. Surveillance programmes are significant in this respect, particularly in assessing pest and invasive alien species dynamics, agricultural production practices, support systems and outputs. Capability in temporal and spatial data collection, reporting, analysis and information delivery will facilitate timely response. However, onerous trade requirements overburden the human, physical and technological infrastructure of resource-challenged Caribbean states, threatening the stability and sustainability of their economies to seemingly unprecedented levels. Towards meeting these challenges, collaborative public-private sector efforts continue within and among such states, to optimize utilization of their collective resource base. Experiences of national, regional and international pest and invasive alien species management efforts are presented. From a series of initiatives aimed at tackling a growing number of threats, introductions and established invasive pest populations within the last decade, the Jamaican experience offers lessons which could provide a useful base on which to build an effective regional system.

Keywords: surveillance programmes, invasive alien species, collaboration, trade, environment.

11:30 – 11:45 am

DDIS and Diagnostic Networks:  Building Partnerships for Safer Trade

C.L. Harmon¹, J. Xin², and T. Momol³, ¹Department of Plant Pathology, ²IFAS Information Technology, and ³IFAS Extension Administration, University of Florida, Gainesville. CLHARMON@UFL.EDU

Movement of agricultural products is one of the primary means of introduction of new diseases and pests.  The agricultural inspections that take place at the ports of entry target higher-risk commodities, but inspect only an estimated 1-2% of total shipments.  According to the Department of Commerce (U.S. Census Bureau, Foreign Trade Statistics), U.S. agricultural exports increased 26.72% from 2006 to 2007 and imports increased 10.12% over the same period.  Imports from the Caribbean alone totaled $451,098,000 in 2007.  The economic impact of trade cannot be underestimated, and neither should the possibilities for newly introduced pests.  Early detection and accurate diagnosis of diseases and other pests is vital to any eradication efforts.  In addition, communication between countries regarding pest detections increases awareness and allows for targeted survey programs.  These efforts cannot happen without robust diagnostic capability and communication systems in place.  The National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN) was developed by the USDA-CSREES in 2002 to quickly detect and accurately diagnose plant pests and initiate communications, and has become the standard for creation of similar systems such as the International Plant Diagnostic Network (IPDN) and the Caribbean Region Diagnostic Network (CRDN).  The CRDN represents this effort in the Caribbean basin, tying diagnostic laboratories and personnel together via technical training and the Digital Diagnostic and Identification System (DDIS).  Participants in this network utilize a secure online system to log and share diagnostic data in a confidential environment.  This coupled with technical training increases the availability of expertise in the region, and helps to establish a baseline of pest knowledge that will support phytosanitary and trade decisions.

Keywords:  Caribbean region diagnostic network, diagnostics, DDIS

Fruits, Vegetables, and Specialty Crops (Regency Ballroom)

8:00 – 8:15 am

Impact of Elevated Carbon Dioxide and Temperature on Sugar and Biomass Yield of Sugar Cane

Leon H. Allen, Jr¹, Joseph C.V. Vu¹, Joan C. Anderson¹, and Jeffery D. Ray².  ¹U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, ARS, Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, FL 32608 and ²U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, ARS, Jamie Whitten Delta States Research Center, Stoneville, MS 38776.

Seed-piece shoots of four cultivars of sugar cane were transplanted on March 21, 1977 to containers 1.2 m long X 0.6 m wide X 0.6 m deep) in four temperature zones of two temperature-gradient greenhouses at Gainesville, Florida.  Each temperature zone had 8 containers.  Four containers of each zone had organic soil and four containers had mineral soil (Arredondo fine sand).  Within each type of soil, two containers had water table depth maintained at 0.2 m and two were rewatered frequently.  High soil fertility was maintained.  Each container initially had two plants of CP72-2086, CP73-1547, CP88-1508 and one plant of CP80-1827.  One greenhouse was maintained at ambient carbon dioxide concentration (daytime 360 ppm, mol ratio basis) and the other was enriched by +350 ppm (daytime 710 ppm).  Temperatures were maintained continuously at baseline (slightly above ambient at Gainesville) and at +1.5, +3.0, and +4.5 degrees C above baseline.  Fresh weight, dry weight, juice volume, and juice sucrose concentration were measured at midsummer and December harvests in 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000.  Although sugar cane is a C4 photosynthetic pathway plant, total fresh weights, dry weights, juice volume, and sucrose contents were higher in plants exposed to elevated carbon dioxide.  Temperature in the range of exposures made little difference in plant growth and yield.  Yields were greater when water tables were maintained at 20 cm.  In conclusion, rising atmospheric carbon dioxide will be expected to cause an increase in sugar yield.

Keywords:  Sugar Cane, Carbon Dioxide, Climate Change, Global Warming

8:15 – 8:30 am

Crop Water Stress Index and Yield Components for Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Genotypes in Greenhouse and Field Environments

V. H. Ramírez Builes¹, E. W. Harmsen², and T. Porch³. ¹Assistant Professor, Agronomy Program. University of Santa Rosa de Cabal, Risaralda-Colombia, victorhugorb@gmail.com; ²Professor, Dept. of Agr. and Biosystems Eng., Univ. of Puerto Rico. Mayagüez, PR 00681, harmsen1000@hotmail.com, (787)832-4040; ³USDA-ARS, Mayagüez Puerto Rico, Timothy.Porch@ARS.USDA.GOV

Methods to detect and characterize the magnitude of drought stress are an area of active research.  With the development and increased popularity of the infrared thermometer, a thermal stress index has been proposed and applied.  One of the most popular and useful is the crop water stress index (CWSI). The principal objective of this research was to develop baselines for CWSI for four common bean genotypes, and relate the index with yield components and soil available water under field and greenhouse environments. Trials were conducted during three years (2005, 2006 and 2007) in two environments (greenhouse and field) in western and southern Puerto Rico. Three water levels were applied in the greenhouse and two water levels were applied in the field using the randomized complete block design. Four common bean genotypes were studied: Morales, with an unknown drought response; and BAT477, SER16 and SER 21, which are drought tolerant. The CWSI was derived for a total of five growing seasons (two field and three greenhouse experiments). The results indicate differences in drought tolerance between genotypes. Wind induced an additional “physiological stress” which was detected by the CWSI. The differences in the CWSI between genotypes were correlated with the root available water, and yield components.

Keywords: common bean, canopy temperature, crop water stress index, air temperature, drought stress.

8:30 – 8:45 am

Response of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) to Rhizobium Inoculation and Nitrogen Fertilization

A.O. Ramírez-Madera¹, J.S. Beaver¹, D. Sotomayor-Ramírez¹, and C. Estévez de Jensen²; ¹Department of Agronomy and Soils and ²Department of Crop Protection, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus.  axelramirez@hotmail.com

Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Puerto Rico need greater efficiency in the use of inputs such as N in order to increase yield and control production costs.  Two field experiments were conducted at the University of Puerto Rico Isabela Substation.  The N-NO₃^- content in the soil was low (11 ppm) with organic matter content of 4%.  Fertilization included 50 kg/ha of N-P₂O₅-K₂O at planting.  During the rainy season on February 2007, the field trials were planted using a RCB design with 6 replications.  Ninety-six dry bean lines of different seed types (black, red/pink, white, pinto/cream, and Andean) were evaluated.  Lines R-99 OAC Rico and NOD-125 were non-nodulating lines used as controls.  At planting, all lines were inoculated in the soil with Rhizobium at a rate of 3.33 g of inoculant per 3.8 L of water.  Nodulation was evaluated using the CIAT 1-9 scale.  VAX 3 (3.5 and 1,859 kg/ha), Cardenal (4.0 and 1,509 kg/ha) and RAB 655 (4.5 and 1,723 kg/ha) had the best nodulation and the greatest mean seed yields.  The second experiment was planted in June 2007 during the dry season.  Treatments were arranged in a split plot design within a RCB with 5 replications.  Whole plots were N levels (0 and 25 kg/ha) and sub-plots were the best 40 bean lines.  Two non-nodulating lines were used as controls.  Inoculant was applied to the furrow during planting.  There was no interaction between lines and level of fertilization on nodulation score.  The best nodulating lines were: Salagnac 90A (2.7), Arroyo Loro Negro (2.8) and PR 0427-7 (3.5).  The best nodulation scores were observed in the low N plots (0 kg/ha).  There was a significant interaction between lines and levels of fertilization on seed yield.  VAX 3, A 774 and RAB 655 were the most productive lines under low N conditions.

Keywords: Phaseolus vulgaris L., nodulation score, low N fertility    

8:45 – 9:00 am

The Effect of Earthworm Compost on Production of Ivy Gourd

Martín Florentino Tolentino, Jacquelin Daphinis, Jorge Luis del Villar, Carlos Miguel De Jesús Arias, and Rafael Amable Vásquez Martínez

Horticulture Department; Universidad ISA, La Herradura, Santiago, República Dominicana. rafaelvama@yahoo.com

Organic food production is increasing in the Dominican Republic due to a higher demand for healthier foods. A trial was conducted at the Universidad ISA to evaluate the effects of the combination of chemical fertilizer and compost produced with earthworms on ivy gourd (Coccinia grandis L.). The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with five treatment combinations and four repetitions. The treatment combination were 0 chemical fertilizer and 3612.39 kg/ha of humus; 118.3 kg/ha chemical fertilizer and 2708.33 kg/ha humus; 237.91 kg/ha chemical fertilizer and 1805.55 kg/ha humus; 356.22 kg/ha chemical fertilizer and 902.77 kg/ha humus; 475.82 kg/ha chemical fertilizer and 0 kg/ha humus. The chemical fertilizer formula was N (12)-P(24)-K(12). It was applied to the crop eight times during the growing period while the humus from earthworm was applied once at 30 days after the planting. The evaluated variables were fruit yield, length (cm), diameter (cm), number of fruits per plant, fruit weight and profit. The results show that the fruit yield had higher at 15 days with 3612.39 kg/ha of humus and 0 chemical fertilizer, however, the total production of ivy gourd fruit was not significantly different among the treatments. The fruit diameter was increased by the application of 237.91 kg/ha chemical fertilizer and 1805.55kg/ha of earthworm humus. The data of this study suggest that the humus of earthworms may substitute for the chemical fertilizer in the ivy gourd production.

Keywords: tindora, earthworm compost, chemical fertilizer.

9:00 – 9:15 am

Challenges of Using Greenhouse Technologies in the Caribbean to Grow Food Crops

Kimberly Moore and Luci Fisher. University of Florida, Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, 3205 College Ave., Davie, FL 33314; klock@ufl.edu

The Caribbean has the potential to become self-sufficient by producing more vegetable crops than they import.  However, during the rainy season, vegetable production outdoors is hindered.  One technique that can be employed is the use of greenhouse structures in order to grow plants year-round.   However with the use of any new technology, training is essential.  During training sessions in Barbados and Nassau Bahamas, I observed several common challenges growers were facing in both of these countries as they worked to use greenhouse structures to grow vegetables.  This poster presentation will outline several of the challenges observed and potential solutions.

Keywords:  greenhouse, vegetable production, controlled environment

9:15 – 9:30 am

Organic Agriculture in Trinidad and Tobago: Approaches and Successes of Grassroots Networks and Governmental Policies

M. Sticklen¹ and D. Dolly², ¹US Fulbright Program, and ²Agricultural Economics and Extension, University of West Indies, St Augustine Campus. Mitra.Sticklen@gmail.com 

In response to mounting environmental, human health, social and economic problems in conventional agriculture, farmers and consumers in Trinidad and Tobago have started to support more organic farming. Within this movement, grassroots actions and networks have created more organic farming and marketing than have governmental policies. There is a lack of legislation regarding organic agriculture, despite the formulation of a draft policy document by a government-appointed committee. Without such legal framework, the definition, standards and methods remain open to interpretation. Between August 2007 and May 2008 the authors studied the development and philosophy of the local organic agriculture movement by conducting interviews, surveys, and engaging in participant observation. Several dispersed networks were identified, and included farmers, marketers, consumers, students, researchers, and policy-makers. Notably, there are opportunities to be certified organic through external certifiers, but the process is often too expensive for farmers selling nationally and there are no local certification alternatives. A few export-focused farms are going through the certification process, but currently there are no certified organic farms in Trinidad and Tobago. This research reveals a number of trends about successful farmer strategies, perceived motivations for organic farming, and obstacles facing this industry. Future recommendations for growth include coupling grassroots actions with formal policy measures. With a focus on public awareness and education, research and demonstration, policy intervention, and incentive creation, Trinidad and Tobago could move towards greater food security via organic food production.

Keywords: Trinidad and Tobago, organic agriculture, legal framework

9:30 – 9:45 am

An Evaluation of Techniques for Grafting Breadfruit on Chataigne Root Stock

F. Solomon Jr. and L. B. Roberts-Nkrumah, Food Production Department, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of the West  Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago WI. frankiesolomon@gmail.com

The potential for expanding the availability of breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) as a food source in the Caribbean by establishment of commercial orchards is limited by it being vegetatively propagated. One of the disadvantages of this propagation method is a shallow root system, which results in limited distribution of the tree mainly to wetter regions, susceptibility to root-inhabiting diseases and proneness to hurricane damage. Chataigne (A. camansi), a close seed producing relative, produces a tap root and exhibits these disadvantages to a lesser extent. Therefore, grafting breadfruit on chataigne can potentially benefit commercial establishment. Poor success in grafting these species has been reported. This experiment aimed to evaluate the effect of grafting techniques, scion cultivars and ages of rootstock on grafting success. Grafting techniques were top wedge, side, and whip and tongue; the scions were the ‘Yellow’ and ‘White’ breadfruit cultivars and chataigne; and the ages of chataigne rootstocks were 47, 67and 130 days old. A three-factor, factorial arrangement in a complete randomized design was used with 10 plants per treatment. Data were collected on length of survival in weeks and analysed using ANOVA, General Linear Model. Variety was the only factor with significant (p < 0.05) effect on success of grafting. Six weeks after grafting, there was 62% survival of grafts of chataigne scion grafted on chataigne rootstock, compared with 23% of ‘Local Yellow’ scion and 8% of ‘Local White’ breadfruit. The results suggest a genetic influence and a possible physiological effect on the success of grafting.

Keywords: breadfruit, propagation, chataigne

9:45 – 10:00 am

Analysis of External Coloration of Low-chill Peaches Harvested in Puerto Rico

María Cristina Padilla Páez and J. Pablo Morales-Payán. Department of Horticulture, University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. jpmorales@uprm.edu; josepablomorales@yahoo.com

Research was conducted in 2007 and 2008 to assess the external coloration components in fruits of the low–chill peaches [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] ‘Flordaglo’, ‘Flordaprince’ and ‘Tropicbeauty’ grown in Adjuntas, Puerto Rico. Fruits of each cultivar were harvested at three apparent maturity stages (AMS) (50, 70, and 90% change in ground color) and external (peel) color was determined shortly after harvesting (fruits kept at 20°C) or after storage at 0°C for two weeks followed by ripening at 20°C. Peel color was determined with a Hunter Lab-MiniScan XE calibrated with white and black standards (X=79.8, Y=84.6, Z=90.4) in the L* a* b* uniform color space, assessing values for L* (lightness of the color), a* (red-green), b* (yellow-blue), chroma (color saturation or intensity) and hue (red, yellow, green, blue, purple, or intermediate colors between adjacent pairs of the basic colors). With 50% AMS, L* values were high and with 90% AMS L* values were low. ‘Flordaprince’ consistently had the highest L* values, whereas ‘Flordaglo’ tended to have the lowest L* values. Within a cultivar, chroma was highest at the 90% AMS and lowest at the 50% AMS; ‘Tropicbeauty’ had the highest external chroma, while ‘Flordaglo’ had the lowest. Hue values were in the green-yellow rage for fruits at 50%, but at more advanced AMS ‘Flordaglo’ fruits had pale yellow hues and ‘Tropicbeauty’ had yellow-orange-red hues. Post-harvest temperature did not significantly affect L*, chroma, or hue.

Keywords: Fruit crops, postharvest, tropicalized peach

Natural Resources (Regency Ballroom)

10:30 – 10:45 am

Repositioning CARDI to meet the demands for Research and Development in the 21st Century

H. Arlington D. Chesney, Executive Director, Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), Port of Spain, Trinidad

10:45 – 11:00 am

Microbial Populations in Guyana Soils

S. Gomathinayagam, Lecturer-II, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry

University of Guyana, Berbice Campus, Johns, Guyana, South America

Phone: +592 337 1415, Fax No: +592 337 1414, + 592 610 3345 (Mobile)                                                 

 Email ID: drgomsrekha@yahoo.com or goms70@yahoo.com

Microorganisms are fundamentally important in the soil habitat. They play key roles in the ecosystem by controlling nutrient cycling reactions essential for maintaining soil fertility. Microbes are also active in nitrogen transformation during the cold winter season. Soil structure depends on the association between mineral particles (sand, silt and clay) and organic matter. Although the chemistry of organic matter, total microbial biomass, and different enzyme activities in different soil size fractions have been well studied, little information is available on the structure of microbial populations in microhabitats. All natural soils contain vast populations of microscopic plants and animals, which are present in a state of dynamic equilibrium and changing   balances. It has been estimated that within the top one to three feet of soil as much as 17,000 pounds of fungi and 40 pounds of bacteria exist per acre. All the soil microorganisms compete with each other for food and space. Any changes in environmental conditions such as food supply, temperature, moisture, oxygen supply etc., can result in changes which cause one or many types of soil microbes to become temporarily dominant over the others. The majority of fungi and bacteria present in soils are considered to be beneficial to higher plants. Mineral soil represents a complex of inert and living organisms. By maintaining good organic matter content in mineral soils an increased population’s level of beneficial soil microorganism can be maintained. These non-pathogenic fungi and bacteria help to promote well developed healthy root systems, by releasing essential elements and suppressing disease causing microorganisms. Preliminary work on this study has been done, pertaining to screening of soil microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes from soil in Guyana within Berbice. Additionally, calculations were done on the number of colonies of bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes in different soils.      

Keywords: nutrient cycling, dynamic equilibrium, population density

11:00 – 11:15 am

Chemistry and Mineralogy of a Coloso Soil Profile

¹María A. Rosario Mejías, ²Miguel A. Muñoz, ³Jorge L. Lugo,

⁴Samuel Ríos and ⁵Emmanuel Feliciano ¹Undergraduate student, Agronomy and Soils Department, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, ²Professor, Agronomy and Soils Department, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, ³Resource Soil Scientist, USDA/NRCS, Mayagüez P.R., ⁴Soil Scientist, USDA/NRCS, Mayagüez P.R., ⁵Graduate Student, Agronomy and Soils Department, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez. jorge.lugo@pr.usda.gov, mmunoz@uprm.edu

A soil profile located at the eastern part of Puerto Rico and classified as Coloso series was re-evaluated to determine if its taxonomic classification agreed with the original classification as very-fine, kaolinitic, acid, isohyperthermic Vertic Endoaquepts.  Six soil horizons were identified: A, A_p, B_t1, B_t2, B_t3, B_t4 and B_wg, down to a depth of 180 cm.  Each soil horizon was evaluated to determine pH, CEC, aggregate stability, texture, surface area of the clay fraction and x-ray characterization of clay minerals. Larger amounts of sand were observed in the two surface horizons.  The Ap and A horizons showed a sandy clay loam texture, the B_t1 sandy clay and B_t2, B_t3, B_t4 and B_wg a clayey texture.  A high aggregate stability was observed in the A_p (75.7%) and A horizons (26.9%), decreasing significantly in the lower horizons, probably due to a lower organic matter content. The profile pH ranged from 5.50 to 6.56, being moderately acid.  Specific surface area of the clay fraction was 61.52 m²/g for the A_p horizon,  54.63 m²/g for the A horizon, 79.17 m²/g for the B_t1, 83.96 m²/g for the B_t2, 101.07 m²/g for the B_t3, 91.5 m²/g for the B_t4 and 86.31 m²/g for the B_wg.  The CEC of the clay fraction ranged from 11.03 cmol_c/kg to 19.34 cmol_c/kg, whereas for the soil, the CEC ranged from 1.12 cmol_c/kg to 4.00 cmol_c/kg. The XRD analysis indicated the presence of the minerals kaolinite, vermiculite, montmorillonite, goethite, gibbsite and quartz.  The description of this soil profile does not agree with the original description for the Coloso series.  A preliminary classification of this profile indicates a family description fine-loamy, mixed, isohyperthermic Typic Kandiudalfs.

Key words: soil taxonomy, soil classification, soil profile description

11:15 – 11:30 am

Training In Water Quality Concepts, Sampling and Analysis

Yuncong Li¹, Kati Migliaccio¹, Teresa Olczyk², Ed Hanlon³, Qingren Wang¹, and Pamela Fletcher^{4 1}Tropical Research and Education Center, ²Miami-Dade County Extension Office, ³Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, ⁴Florida Sea Grant and NOAA, University of Florida. yunli@ufl.edu

Considerable interest in environmental issues within southern Florida has generated a need for qualified individuals to conduct water quality sampling complying with stringent sample collection and analysis programs. We will present our experiences on water quality workshops, which were conducted during the last 3 years. The objectives of water quality workshops were to introduce (i) water regulations, (ii) monitoring and sampling techniques, (iii) Best Management Practices (BMPs) program initiatives, and (iv) laboratory methods related to water quality of surface and ground waters. The training focused on basic concepts of water chemistry and hydrology related to water sampling and analysis, instrumentation, water quality data analysis, and evaluation and reporting. The training sessions were each a combination of lectures, hands-on field and lab activities, and field and agency tours. Pre- and post-testing of participants showed effective learning was achieved despite diversity in educational backgrounds. In 2008, 11 participants demonstrated a 73% knowledge gain. After the course, a follow up handout was used to explain both correct and incorrect answers on the multiple choice pre/post tests, and it was sent to all participants.
Keywords: water quality, monitoring and sampling, chemical analysis, data analysis

11:30 – 11:45 am

Nutrients in Dairy Manure Sludge in Puerto Rico:  Management and Implications

David Sotomayor-Ramírez¹, Alexander Recamán-Serna¹, Yamil Quijano¹; Gustavo Martínez, Carlos Saavedra, and Teodoro Ruiz

¹ University of Puerto Rico, College of Agricultural Sciences, Agronomy and Soils Department, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. *Contact author:  dsotomayor@uprm.edu

Dairy manure sludge (DMS) application to pastures is a widespread agronomic practice.  Unfortunately, the quantitative benefits of DMS application to improved pastures still have not been shown in the Caribbean.  On-going application of DMS based on estimated nitrogen (N) content is unsustainable, and in many areas presents a threat to water quality, because the excess phosphorus (P) in dairy sludge is usually not extracted by plants and remains in soil until removed in runoff.  Application of DMS based on P content of the material may be a better alternative, but pastures may need to be supplemented with N.  The N and P concentrations of DMS applied to fields and in dairy manure sludge holding lagoons were characterized.  The N:P₂O₅ ratio was 1.6±0.7(mean±1 standard deviation).  Selected fields under grazed pasture forage cropping systems with and without DMS application were evaluated in two dairy producing facilities.  Fields that do not receive dairy manure sludge must be supplemented with 280 kg N/ha/yr and 27 kg P/ha.  Fields that receive DMS have an excess P ranging from 53 to 118 kg P/ha/yr, and can be supplemented with about 150 kg N/ha.  We hypothesize that in fields that receive DMS, there is an excess of N and P in some fields, some fields must receive more N and P, and still others must receive more N and no P.  In fields where more N is needed, the DMS can be supplemented with liquid N to improve forage production at a reasonable cost to the farmer of $4.10/10 lb N.       

Keywords:  dairy manure sludge, forage production, nutrients in pastures

11:45 am – Noon

Fertilizer Prices and Controlled Release Fertilizers

Yuncong Li¹, Edward Evans¹, Sikavas Na-Lampang¹, Xiahui Fan¹, and Min Zhang² , and T. Obreza^{3 1}Tropical Research and Education Center, ³ Soil and Water Science Department, University of Florida, USA,  ²College of Resources and Environment, Shandong Agricultural University, China. yunli@ufl.edu

World fertilizer prices have shot through the roof over the last year and are rising even more in 2008.  From January 2007 to January 2008, diammonium phosphate (DAP) prices rose from $252 to $752/ton. Urea rose from $272 to $415/ton; and muriate of potash (MOP) rose from $172 to $352/ton. Higher fertilizer prices impact farmers greatly. How can we cope with the high cost of fertilizer?  We will discuss various approaches.  One of our recommendations is to use controlled release fertilizers (CRFs). We will present research data on CRFs and their performance.   

Keywords: fertilizer price, controlled release fertilizers, best management practices, soil testing, plant analysis

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