Progress 10/01/02 to 09/30/06
Outputs
Objectives for the reporting period were 1) Field evaluation of regenerated plants, 2) Distribution of developed, tissue culture raised plants to farmers. All the objectives for the project were achieved before the proposed project termination date. Field performance of seventeen more varieties of taro, multiplied through tissue culture, was evaluated by using randomized complete block design having eight rows, thirty-five plants of each variety per row and three plot replications per atoll at two atolls. The size of each plot was 12 m x 22 m. At the time of planting, 60 cm distance between plants in a row and 150 cm distance between rows was maintained. The use of pesticides was avoided. Vigorous vegetative growth was observed for all the varieties, while excellent yield for some varieties. Plant characterization data as per descriptors of the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI) (1999), were recorded. Insect, pest, disease and nutrient deficiency
data were also recorded. After 10 months of planting, corms were harvested and corm quality and related data were recorded. All the details of variety-wise characterization and field evaluation data along with photographs will be included in the taro book, which is under preparation. To encourage, educate and train farmers, many activities involving hands-on trainings on taro cultivation aspects, soil amendment methods and composting were organized time to time. In addition to these regular activities, training workshops were organized that included taro cultivation methods and techniques like land preparation, planting material preparation, planting material storage, methods of planting, time and distance of planting, replanting, fertilizer or compost application, cultivation, weeding, control of diseases & pests, harvesting, composting, how to make compost and advantages of composting. To expand the taro research results for the benefit of the community, extensive extension work for
taro cultivation was conducted. This expansion included cultivation at outer atolls also. The extension work included hands-on trainings of taro cultivation aspects on their own land, which encouraged everyone and resulted in participation of every landowner in the project. Help and guidance were offered in field selection, cleaning and clearing of land, plowing, bed preparation, providing the seedlings, planting, composting and fertilizer application, maintenance and harvesting etc. Weekly visits were made to the farmers fields for disease and pest survey and also for on spot solutions and recommendations for disease and pest control, and nutrient deficiency remediation. Thousands of seedlings of different taro varieties were distributed to the farmers directly and also through the Ministry of Resources and Development.
Impacts
Micropropagation of taro has resulted in the availability of elite and disease-free planting material in large numbers for local farmers and growers. Training workshops and extension activities have increased farmers awareness, knowledge, skill and interest in cultivation of taro and many farmers have started taro cultivation. Many others are interested to convert their lands into productive taro farms. The growing interest in taro cultivation has resulted in mass production and consumption of taro and has also provided a means of income generation to the local farmers that would result in their improved economic and social status. Availability of fresh produce in local markets in affordable price would increase its consumption, which could help in improving eating habits and thereby health of local people especially at outer atolls of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
Publications
- Verma, VM, Cho, JJ, Jackson, P, Aikne, J and David, J (2005) Extensive Field Evaluation of Staple Food Crop Varieties on Atolls: Collected Around the Globe and Multiplied by Tissue Culture. 2005 World Congress on In Vitro Biology, Baltimore, Maryland, USA, June 05th-07th, 2005 (Contributed Paper).
- Verma, VM, Cho, JJ, Aikne, J and David, J (2005) Thidiazuron Induced Somatic Embryogenesis and Organogenesis in Taro. 2005 World Congress on In Vitro Biology, Baltimore, Maryland, USA, June 05th-07th, 2005.
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Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
Objectives for the reporting period were 1) To characterize, determine and identify leaf blight resistant somaclones using in vitro plant-pathogen interaction and molecular biology techniques, 2) Mass clonal propagation of the selected leaf blight resistant somaclones through tissue culture techniques, 3) Field evaluation of regenerated plants. Collaboration with University of Hawaii has been made to identify, characterize and determine leaf blight resistant somaclones using molecular biology techniques. Taro germplasm that originally belongs to Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Hawaii, Philippines, Solomon Islands, Palau, Taiwan, Marshall Islands, Guam, New Caledonia and Tahiti, has been multiplied through tissue culture using the protocol developed in the previous year. The developed protocol again proved its excellence for the multiplication of taro. Total fifty-five taro varieties have been multiplied through tissue culture and all
varieties are being maintained in the nursery cum greenhouse to develop germplasm bank. A newly constructed nursery cum greenhouse has seven wooden trays that were filled with mixture of fine sieved sand and especially prepared wormy compost. Twenty-four varieties of multiplied taro have been evaluated in the field. Fourteen varieties of multiplied taro are currently in the field for evaluation. Seventeen more varieties of taro are ready for field evaluation. Two plots have been developed for use as demonstration plots to train farmers. To increase the fertility of the soil it was amended with compost. These demonstration plots are being used for hands-on trainings, demonstrations and also for field trials of taro. Several activities are being organized to help farmers for cultivation of taro. Training workshops including PowerPoint presentations, hands-on trainings and field demonstrations have been organized for farmers. Twenty-four varieties of taro have been distributed to the
farmers directly and also through the Ministry of Resources and Development. Weekly visits are being made to the farmers fields for disease and pest survey and also for on spot solutions and recommendations for disease and pest control, and nutrient deficiency remediation. All the field-evaluated varieties have not shown any symptoms of leaf blight.
Impacts
Micropropagation of collected germplasm has resulted in the availability of elite and disease-free planting material in large numbers for local farmers and growers. Training workshops have increased farmers awareness, knowledge, skill and interest in cultivation of taro and large number of farmers have started cultivating taro. Many others are interested to convert their lands into productive taro farms. Collected, multiplied and maintained germplasm in the nursery cum greenhouse is the initiation to establish germplasm bank. The growing interest in taro cultivation would ultimately result in mass production and would provide a means of income generation to the local farmers that would result in their improved economic and social status. Availability of fresh produce in local markets in affordable price would increase its consumption, which could help in improving eating habits and thereby health of local people especially at outer atolls of the Republic of the
Marshall Islands. In the long term development of leaf blight resistant taro would help in growing taro at large scale and would serve as a means to secure food and nutritional security.
Publications
- Verma, VM and Cho, JJ (2004) Plant Regeneration of Taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott) via Somatic Embryogenesis and Organogenesis. 2004 World Congress on In Vitro Biology, San Francisco, California, USA, May 22nd-26th, 2004 (Contributed Paper).
- Verma, VM, Cho, JJ, Aikne, J and David, J (2004) High Frequency Plant Production of Taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott) by Tissue Culture. 4th International Crop Science Congress, Brisbane, Australia, September 26th-October 1st, 2004.
- Verma, VM, Cho, JJ, Aikne, J and David, J (2004) Effect of Thidiazuron on Somatic Embryogenesis and Organogenesis in Taro. 18th International Conference on Plant Growth Substances, Canberra, Australia, September 20th-24th, 2004. (Accepted)
- Verma, VM and Cho, JJ (2004) High Frequency Plant Production via Somatic Embryogenesis and Organogenesis in Taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott). (Submitted)
- Verma, VM (2004) Trainees Dig Colleges Arrak Farming Workshop. Marshall Islands Journal 35: 36, pp 24.
- Verma, VM (2004) Sweet Spuds, Taro Takeoff in Majuro Gardens. Marshall Islands Journal 35: 39, pp 18.
- Verma, VM (2004) Making Our Earth Rich. Marshall Islands Journal 35: 39, pp 18.
- Verma, VM (2004) Taro and Sweetpotato Tissue Culture: A Leap Towards Success. Jitdam Kapeel IV: 5, pp 7.
- Verma, VM (2004) Sustainable Atoll Agriculture Workshop. Jitdam Kapeel V: 5, pp 6.
- Verma, VM (2004) Workshop on Sustainable Atoll Agriculture in RMI. Micronesia Update 9, pp 2-3.
- Verma, VM, Aikne, J and David, J (2004) Composting, Handout (English and Marshallese) pp 1.
- Verma, VM, Aikne, J and David, J (2004) Advantages of Composting, Handout (English and Marshallese) pp 1.
- Verma, VM, Aikne, J and David, J (2004) How to Make Compost, Handout (English and Marshallese) pp 1.
- Verma, VM (2004) Sustainable Atoll Agriculture, Brochure, pp 1-6.
- Verma, VM, Aikne, J and David, J (2004) Taro: Farming and Production Guide for Growers, (English and Marshallese) pp 1-6.
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
Objectives for the reporting period were 1) Collection of Colocasia esculenta (Taro) germplasm from different sources, and 2) Establishment of economically feasible, efficient, rapid and reproducible regeneration protocol for collected taro germplasm. Not only all the objectives for the reporting period were achieved but some objectives for the next reporting period have also been achieved. Many research articles and concerned literature were collected and reviewed. Alternated the laboratory according to experimental needs and constructed the nursery cum greenhouse. Collected thirty-six varieties of taro from different sources: two from local fields, fourteen from the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, and twenty from University of Hawaii. Successfully standardized the surface sterilization technique for explants and developed protocol for tissue culture of taro. Two mediums, Gamborg et al., 1968 (B5) and Murashige and Skoog, 1962 (MS), were used for the tissue
culture of taro but best results were observed on MS medium. Tissue cultures of taro were initiated on MS medium augmented with 2uM Thidiazuron (TDZ). Best shoot multiplication was observed on MS medium with 5uM TDZ. For further growth and subsequent multiplication, shoots were sub-cultured on MS medium supplemented with 5uM Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and 7.5uM 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP). MS medium augmented with 2uM IAA was used for rooting. A twelve-hour photoperiod with temperature of 28C day and 24C night, light intensity of 3000 lux, and 55% +/-5% relative humidity were maintained for multiplication. Rooted plants were transferred to soil: vermiculate (1:1, v:v) mixture in pots and acclimatized with 100% survival rate. Fully acclimatized tissue-cultured plants were planted in the field and they are growing well. Data collection and feeding in computer are in progress for the analysis. Analysis report will be used for planning future experiments.
Impacts
Standardized sterilization technique and developed tissue culture protocol would be used to raise tissue culture plants of superior germplasm, which would be screened for leaf blight resistance. Collected germplasm and developed protocol would be used to establish the germplasm bank.
Publications
- Virendra Mohan Verma (2002) CMI collaborating with UH on taro project. Micronesia Land Grant Update, pp.2-3.
- Virendra Mohan Verma (2003) Biotechnological development of leaf blight resistant taro. Jitdam Kapeel, 3:5, pp.6.
- Virendra Mohan Verma (2002) Taro farming (Brochure), pp.1-6.
- Virendra Mohan Verma (2002) Project on Kotak (Taro) (Brochure), pp.1-6.
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
This project is a novel advancement in research paradigm of the country because it is the first project, which would imply the modern biotechnological and molecular biology techniques to develop disease resistance. Project is in the beginning stage as it started on October 01st, 2002. In the initial three months, many research articles and concerned literature was collected and reviewed. Construction of nursery and alternation in the laboratory according to experimental needs, are in progress. Purchasing of chemicals, glasswares, small instruments etc. are also in process. Data collection and feeding in computer are in progress for the analysis. Analysis report will be used for planning experiments.
Impacts
Collection and review of related literature would prove helpful in successful planning and proper designing of experiments. Generations of necessary laboratory and nursery facilities would result in successful timely implementation of the planed experiments. The facilities generated would serve the research interests of the country.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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