Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/13
Outputs
Target Audience: The target audience for this research included the green industry, nursery owners, small scale farmers, educators, extension agents, graduate and undergraduate students in disciplines of horticulture, environmental studies, soil science, agricultural education, agricultural economics, animal sciences, and K-12 students. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Three different undergraduate students, one graduate student, one postdoctoral associate, and one research technician were involved in the project implementing experiments, collecting data and analyzing data, and working with collaborative partners. Through the active involvement, these personnel learned and enhanced their understanding of principles and practices in scientific methods and presentation, and engagement with the stakeholders as demonstrated by greater knowledge and work efficiency. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Meeting or through telephone conversations with green industry and nursery owners to discuss potential applications/commercialization of technology developed. Communicated regularly with collaborating nursery through on-site visits. Outreach to stakeholders and interested general public through the annual small farm field day. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
This project was planned to produce confirmable and repeatable scientific results and has met all the objectives to address specific propagation issues that were stated in the proposal. These objectives are (1). To improve the efficiency of our aseptic in vitro cultures using seeds for germination of Alexandrian laurel; (2). To develop a multiple shoot regeneration protocol using micro-propagated plantlets. This objective is the pre-requisite for next objective; and (3). To acclimatize micro-propagated Alexandrian laurel plantlets at different developmental stages under various environmental and growing substrate conditions in our greenhouse and at a nursery setting for commercial production. Significant results achieved: Consistently germinated all viable seeds, and increased germination rate by up to 500%. Confirmed two plant growth regulators with consistent results to balance seedling development and multiple shoot proliferation. Produced strong seedlings with balanced root and shoot growth. Produced more than 40-50 shoots/seedlings per seed. Such shoots/seedlings can be multiplied indefinitely using the same protocol. Successfully acclimatized micro-propagated seedlings. Successful forest farming of acclimatized seedlings of Alexandrian laurel with chestnut trees on the marginal land of the University farm. Impact: The protocols developed from this research have potential to increase production and the profit margin by 10,000% for our stakeholders for this highly demanded species. Therefore, this research potentially help enable the U.S. have a sustained production of this highly demanded plant species rather than primarily relying on imports. Industry (Emporia Farms, LLC) discovered our research through our publications and presentations and contacted the PI, and due to our intellectual property protection (pending U.S. Utility Patent application), subsequently was referred to the University Tech Transfer Office. U.S. Patents applications was filed and pending (see Products section).
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Shen X, G Yang, and Z Lu 2013 In vitro propagation of Alexandrian laurel (Danae racemosa L. Moench), a valuable ornamental plant, HortScience Vol. 48(10): 1301-1303.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Yang G, X Shen, R Jackson, and Z Lu 2013 Factors affecting in vitro seed germination and shoot proliferation of galax [Galax urceolata (Poir.) Brummitt], Australian Journal of Crop Science (AJCS) 7(11):1766-1771.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Yang G, Z Lu, and X Shen 2013 An Efficient Micropropagation System for Alexandrian Laurel. ARD Research Symposium, April 6-10, 2013, Jacksonville, FL, abstract # 572.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2011
Citation:
Yang G and Z Lu 2011 Seedling Quality Enhancement and Shoot Multiplication of Alexandrian Laurel In Vitro. ASHS Annual Conference, September 25-28, 2011, Waikoloa HI.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2011
Citation:
Yang G and Z Lu 2011 Balanced Seedling Development of Alexandrian laurel under Different In Vitro PGR Treatments. PGRSA Annual Conference, July 24-28, 2011, Chicago, IL.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2011
Citation:
Lu Z and G Yang Expediting Production of Alexandrian Laurel through Micropropagation. The 2011 ARD Biennial Research Symposium, April 9-13, 2011, Atlanta GA.
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Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Outputs for the project during the project period including the following: Activities: -Conducted experiments to enhance seed germination and subsequent multiple shoot proliferation efficiency. -Implemented studies to maximize the seedling quality with a balanced shoot and root growth using plant growth regulators. -Tested acclimatization conditions for micro-propagated Alexandrian laurel plantlets in our greenhouse and at a nursery setting. -Engaged students in the project for their experiential learning experience. -Met in person or through telephone or e-mails with green industry stakeholders to discuss potential applications/commercialization of technology developed. Events: -Communicated regularly with a collaborating nursery through on-site visits or telephone to monitor field experiment status. Services: -The PI provided advice to the nursery community for expediting production of recalcitrant and/or alternate cash crops with unique characteristics and/or high economic and social values. Products: -Deployed all available means to rapidly disseminate our research findings to our stakeholders: a local nursery, the green industry, and small scale farmers. PARTICIPANTS: Participants included a research technician, post-doctoral associate, students, and collaborating nursery. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target aaudience included members of the green industry, nursery, and small scale farmers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
The techniques and protocols developed from this research have the potential to increase production and the profit margin by up to 10,000% for our stakeholders (nursery owners and green industry) for this highly demand species. This means that potentially the U.S. no longer has to rely on imports of this plant species. During this reporting period of 2012, the University's Tech Transfer Office filed a U.S. provisional patent application (No. 61/614,336), and is in the process of filing for a U.S. utility patent application. A green industry executive contacted the principal investigator and expressed strong interest in our technology. The Tech Transfer Office has been in communication with this executive.
Publications
- Yang, G. and Z. Lu. 2012. U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/614,336, NCA&T Reference Number: AG0028 1011-PRV.
- Liu, X. and G. Yang. 2012. In Vitro Cellular and Developmental Biology - Plant 48(2): 172-179, DOI 10.1007/s11627-012-9429-0.
- Liu, X., and G. Yang. 2012. Australian Journal of Crop Sciences 6(2): 291-295.
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Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Activities: - Implementing experiments to improve in vitro seed germination efficiency; - Testing different plant growth regulators to develop a multiple shoot regeneration protocol; - Conducting studies to balance the plant growth by simultaneously enhancing shoot growth and slowing down root growth; - Acclimatization of micro-propagated Alexandrian laurel plantlets in our greenhouse and at a nursery setting. - Meeting with graduate and undergraduate student for their experiential learning activities. - Meeting with collaborating nursery owner. - Visiting and communicating regularly with a collaborating nursery to plan and monitor field acclimatization experiment status - Procuring seeds, substrates, and laboratory chemicals. Services: - The PI through this project served unofficially as a resource for expediting production of recalcitrant and/or alternate cash crops with unique characteristics and/or high economic and social values. Products: - Active engagement with research staff, students, and nursery people for rapid dissemination of our research findings to nursery and small scale farmers. PARTICIPANTS: Participants -- Research technician, students, and collaborating nursery. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target Audiences - Nursery and small scale farmers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
The growing cycle for Alexandrian laurel tends to be long and not cost efficient by conventional methods. This project made significant progress towards developing a process that can expedite the production of this highly popular but recalcitrant ornamental plant. In addition to developing an efficient in vitro germination protocol, this project has successfully developed a process to produce multiple (up to 30) plantlets from one single shoot/seed. Therefore, this process could potentially increase production and/or profit margin by 30. This project also balanced the seedling growth by simultaneously promoting shoot growth and slowing down root growth using a plant growth regulator in the culture medium. In addition, the resulting regenerated plantlets demonstrated much faster and more vigorous growth with healthier looking and more abundant roots in comparison with conventionally grown ones. Our one-year old micro-propagated plantlets are bigger than two-year old conventionally propagated plantlets. With some additional adjustments, we believe our system can be applied to other plants.
Publications
- Yang G and Z Lu Balanced Seedling Development of Alexandrian Laurel under Different In Vitro PGR Treatments. The 38th Annual Conference, Plant Growth Regulation Society of America, July 24-28, 2011, Chicago IL.
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Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The project objectives were implemented as planned to accomplish the research goal of the development of a protocol for expediting production through micropropagation of this highly desirable, but difficult to propagate plant species by conventional methods. There are three objectives: (1. Improvement of the in-vitro seed germination efficiency; (2. Development of a multiple shoot regeneration protocol using the abundant micropropagated roots, and (3. Acclimatization of micro-propagated Alexandrian laurel plantlets in our greenhouse and at a nursery setting. Accordingly, experiments were specifically conducted to study these research objectives. Graduate and undergraduate students were engaged in the project for their experiential learning activities. In order for rapid dissemination of our research findings to nursery and small scale farmers, field experiments were conducted for acclimatization of micro-propagated Alexandrian laurel plantlets at different developmental stages under various environmental and growing substrate conditions at a nursery setting through our collaborating nursery. The PI through this project served as a resource for expediting production of alternate cash crops with unique characteristics. PARTICIPANTS: Research technician, students, and collaborating nursery. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nursery and small scale farmers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
This project was designed to produce a process that can expedite the production of desirable ornamental plants, and plants for which the growing cycle tends to be long and not cost efficient using conventional methods. This project has successfully developed an efficient production protocol using biotechnology for high demand ornamental shrubs. The protocol we developed increased germination rates by as much as of 400-500%, and significantly shortened the germination time using only 2-11% of the time needed by the conventional method. In addition, the resulting regenerated plantlets demonstrated much higher and vigorous growth with healthier looking in comparison with conventionally grown ones. Our plants also were developmentally superior. Our 2-year-old plantlets were as big as and healthier than 5-year-old plantlets that were produced by conventional methods. With some fine-tuning, we believe our system can be easily applied to other plant species and readily used by farmers and nursery owners from North Carolina and other states to increase productivity.
Publications
- Lu Z and G Yang Expediting Production of Alexandrian Laurel through Micropropagation. The 2011 ARD Biennial Research Symposium, April 9-13, 2011, Atlanta GA.
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Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: This is the beginning of the project. The following are specific outputs including activities, events, services, and products. Activities: Planning experiments to study the specific research objectives: 1. to improve the efficiency of our established aseptic in vitro cultures using seeds for germination of Alexandrian laurel; (2) to develop a multiple shoot regeneration protocol using the abundant micropropagated roots of Alexandrian laurel; and (3) to acclimatize micro-propagated Alexandrian laurel plantlets at different developmental stages under various environmental and growing substrate conditions. 2. Planning field experiments. 3. Meeting with graduate and undergraduate student for their experiential learning activities through the project. Events: 1.Visited collaborating nursery to plan for field experiments. 2. Purchasing seeds through the collaborating nursery. Services: Served as a resource for expediting production of alternate cash crops with unique characteristics. Products: Active engagement with nursery people and students. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
This is the beginning of the project. Research is aimed at developing a biotechnology protocol for producing ornamental Alexandrian laurel and making it available to North Carolina's green industry, which ranks second in importance among agricultural industries in the state.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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