Progress 06/01/03 to 06/01/08
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) FUNPAB/CEPLAC (Cooperator) and the USDA, ARS, agree to cooperate in a research program on the following: 1) To assess the genotypic differences in cacao for macro-micronutrients- use efficiency at varying abiotic/biotic stresses. 2) To develop improved forumulations and application methods of biocontrol agents and fungicides. 3) To collect soils samples from Nelder Fan and cabrucca cacao field studies for determination of soil quality factors and shipping selected samples to USA. Approach (from AD-416) 1) Macro-micronutrient research for nutrient use efficiency in cacao genotypes will be carried out in cooperation with researchers of Almirante Cacao Research Center at abiotic and biotic stresses that are prevalent in Brazil. 2) Effects of the microclimatic variation on the antagonistic interaction between the biocontrol agent and witches' broom. 3) As per the agreed protocol collect the soil samples from Nelder Fan and cabruca studies to determine soil physical, chemical, and biological properties. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations The purpose of this SCA is to provide a mechanism to fund collaborative research on assessment of genotypic differences of cacao and alternate crops to stresses such as nutrient deficiency/toxicities and drought stresses, cacao and alternate crops management systems and cover crops with Brazilian researchers. This is a collaborative research project with scientists from Bahia, Brazil at CEPLAC in Itabuna, UESC in Ilheus, Mars Center for Cocoa Science- in Itajuipe. and the UENF (Universidade Estadual de North Fluminense). Findings from this SCA suggest that cacao agroforestry systems offer similar soil environmental conditions to those found in native forests. These early findings on biological activities will be useful to design sustainable cacao management systems for the Atlantic rainforest region of Brazil. The progress of this agreement was monitored by, e-mails, phone or personal communications as well as a site visit.
Impacts
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Progress 10/01/06 to 09/30/07
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) FUNPAB/CEPLAC (Cooperator) and the USDA, ARS, agree to cooperate in a research program on the following: 1) To assess the genotypic differences in cacao for macro-micronutrients- use efficiency at varying abiotic/biotic stresses. 2) To develop improved forumulations and application methods of biocontrol agents and fungicides. 3) To collect soils samples from Nelder Fan and cabrucca cacao field studies for determination of soil quality factors and shipping selected samples to USA. Approach (from AD-416) 1) Macro-micronutrient research for nutrient use efficiency in cacao genotypes will be carried out in cooperation with researchers of Almirante Cacao Research Center at abiotic and biotic stresses that are prevalent in Brazil. 2) Effects of the microclimatic variation on the antagonistic interaction between the biocontrol agent and witches' broom. 3) As per the agreed protocol collect the soil samples from Nelder Fan and cabruca studies to determine soil physical, chemical and biological properties. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations This report serves to document research conducted under a specific cooperative agreement between ARS and Fundacao Pau Brazil (FUNPAB), an agent for the Brazilian research organization known as CEPLAC. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the parent project 1275-21220-007-00D, Environmental Quality Impacts from Pesticide Use on Perennial Crops and the Development of Agronomic Systems for Cacao and Alternative Crops. The purpose of this SCA is to provide a mechanism to fund collaborative research on assessment of genotypic differences in cacao for nutrient use efficiency and control of disease. This is a collaborative research project with scientists from Bahia, Brazil at CEPLAC in Itabuna, UESC in Ilheus and Almirante Cacao Research Center in Itajuipe. Scientists at Almirante cacao and the UENF (Universidade Estadual de North Fluminense) have completed a series of experiments to assess soil faunal communities in soil and litter of cacao agroforestry systems and native forest of southern Bahia. Only minor differences were observed in the faunal groups assayed from various agroforestry systems and native forests. These findings suggest that cacao agroforestry systems offer similar soil environmental conditions to those found in native forests. Furthermore, it appears that the cacao agroforestry systems adapted for southern Bahia have beneficial effects on the soil and litter faunal communities, and these systems could be considered as a conservation system for soil fauna. These agroforestry systems evaluated also are suitable for the preservation of forest fragments and sustainable management of degraded tropical soils. The progress of this agreement, which is described in this report, was monitored by, emails and phone or personal communications between the principal investigator and the principal collaborators listed for this project.
Impacts
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Progress 10/01/05 to 09/30/06
Outputs
Progress Report 4d Progress report. This report serves to document research conducted under a specific cooperative agreement between ARS and Fundacao Pau Brazil (FUNPAB), an agent for the Brazilian research organization known as CEPLAC. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the parent project 1275-21220-201-00D, Biological and Chemical Diseases Control and Development of Agronomic Systems for Cacao and Alternative Crops. Purpose of this SCA is to provide a mechanism to fund collaborative research on assessment of genotypic differences in cacao for nutrient use efficiency and control of disease. This is a collaborative research project with scientists from CEPLAC at Itabuna, UESC at Ilheus and Almirante Cacao Research Center at Itajuipe, Bahia, Brazil. Site visit was undertaken from April 3 to 7, 2006. The staff of Almirante cacao and staff and graduate student from UENF (Universidade Estadual de North Fluminense) have completed series of
experiments in assessing cacao genotypic response to varying levels of N and P. In these studies five crosses of catongo (COCA-3370/5 x Catongo; CCN-51 x Catongo; AMAZ-15 x Catongo; LCT- 37A x Catongo and Catongo x Catongo ) were evaluated at three N-levels of (0 5 30 kg/ ha). Interspecific differences have been observed in these catongo crosses for growth. In addition, a scientist at UESC has identified ten representative native tree shaded plantations cabruca in southern Bahia region to assess the biodiversity, socio-economic status, and soil quality factors in different cabrucas. Changes in soil quality factors with age of cabruca will be compared to soil quality factors of non-cubruca systems. Furthermore, in collaboration with UESC scientists, the effects of microclimatic variations in cacao plantations are being monitored with weather station CR23X (Campbell Scientific Inc). A graduate student has been recruited to work on this project and collect data periodically. Solar
radiation and wind speed differences have been recorded on and bellow cacao canopy and at the soil surface. Such variations appear to have direct implications on the antagonistic interaction between the biocontrol agent Trichoderma stromaticum (Ts) and the disease causing fungal pathogen Crinipellis perniciosa (Cp). Microclimatic variations within the canopy appears to be a limiting factor affecting the efficacy of the Ts-Cp biological control interactions. Quintino, R.A, Abid, Al.A., Ogram, A., Comerford, N.B., Veluci, R.M. and Baligar, V.C. Mycorrhizal associated in Brazilian costal tableland agro- ecosystem. World Congress of Soil Science, Philadelphia, PA, July 9-15, 2006. Baligar, V.C., Fageria, N.K., Machado, R.C. and Meinhardt, L. Concentration and uptake of P, Zn and Fe as influenced by soil acidity and levels and forms of N, P and Fe in cacao. 15th International Cocoa Conference, San Jose, Costa Rica, October 9-14, 2006. Kellen da Silva Moco, Da Gama Rodrigues, E.F., Da
Gama-Rodrigues, A.C., Baligar, V.C. and Machado, C.R. Characterization of soil and litter fauna in different cocoa agro-ecosystem. 15th International Cocoa Conference, San Jose, Costa Rica, October 9-14, 2006
Impacts
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Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/05
Outputs
4d Progress report. This report serves to document research conducted under a specific cooperative agreement between ARS and Fundacao Pau Brazil (FUNPAB), an agent for the Brazilian research organization known as CEPLAC. Additional details of research can be found in the report for project number 1275- 21220-201-00D, Biological and Chemical Diseases Control and Development of Agronomic Systems for Cacao and Alternative Crops. The purpose of this SCA is to provide a mechanism to fund collaborative research on assessment of genotypic differences in cacao for nutrient use efficiency and control of disease. This is a collaborative research project with scientists from CEPLAC at Itabuna, UESC at Ilheus and Almirante Cacao Research Center at Itajuipe, Bahia, Brazil. The staff of Almirante cacao and a graduate student from UENF (Universidade Estadual de North Fluminense) have completed the first series of experiments in assessing cacao genotypic response to varying levels of
P. New studies have been initiated with several elite cacao genotypes and their crosses with catongo to evaluate the physiological and nutritional differences at adequate and deficient levels of P. A Nelderfan agroforestry based cacao planting is being implemented. Banana has been planted as an early shade tree. The fruit and wood tree seedlings and cacao seedlings needed for the planned study have been raised in the greenhouse, and will be planted in field. Almirante and CEPLAC scientists are working in improving the quality of the commercial biofungicide TRICOVAB using the Mycoharvester MK3 provided by the project. This instrument is able to produce improved biomass with a longer self life. Currently efforts are underway to produce formulations of the biofungicide suitable as foliar applicant with reduced cost. In collaboration with UESC scientists a weather station has been installed in a cacao plantation allowing continuous measurement of climatic parameters. A graduate student
has been recruited to collect periodic data on fungal populations and T. stromaticum sporulation at various cacao canopy levels.
Impacts
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Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04
Outputs
4. What were the most significant accomplishments this past year? This report serves to document research conducted under a specific cooperative agreement between ARS and Fundacao Pau Brazil (FUNPAB), an agent for the Brazilian research organization known as CEPLAC. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the parent project 1275-21220-201-00D, Biological and Chemical Diseases Control and Development of Agronomic Systems for Cacao and Alternative Crops. Purpose of this SCA is to provide a mechanism to fund collaborative research on assessment of genotypic differences in cacao for nutrient use efficiency and control of disease. This will be collaborative research with scientists from CEPLAC at Itabuna and Almirante Cacao Research Center at Itajuipe, Bahia, Brazil. A graduate student was recruited by the Almirante Cacao Research team to conduct research on cacao genotypic differences for nutrient use efficiency. During this period, two cacao
genotypes (TSH-565, ICS-9) responses to N were evaluated. In a biocontrol research a rice agitator was constructed, and a mycoharvester formulation of TRICOVAB was produced. A lab technician was hired to work on quality control of the formulation. Currently studies are underway to test the self life and method to package biocontrol formulation.
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