Progress 08/22/16 to 07/31/21
Outputs
Target Audience:Nursery folks, landscapers, botanical gardens, enviromental groups,home owners and VI Department of Agriculture Changes/Problems:Category 5 hurricanes Irma and Maria during September 2017, destroyed greenhouses, shade house and tree species started for this research project. New sources of seeds needed to be found to restart trees for outplanting.COVID-19 shut down and restrictions during 2020-1 limited activity and access to supplies. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?A forestry display was incorporated in the annual February Ag Fair 2017, 20, 22. Pruning/hurricane recovery workshops were conducted on St Croix and St Thomas during 2018-19. UVI students and post high school students assisted with seed collection, cleaning and planting. Students assisted with watering seed flats and germination over time. Two students assisted with planting trees to the replicated plot, apply water and collect data. Covid-19 restriction hampered these activities during 2020-1.. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Fiscal years 2016-7 wwere dedicated to the collection of seeds, and the production of planting stock for outplanting in the UVI - AES agroforestry plot at the start of the rainy season at the end of the 2017 year , which would be the beginning of FY 2018. We had the following tree species ready for outplanting in the greenhouse: Bourreria succulenta,Bucida buceras, Canella winteriana, Cedrela odorata, Ceiba pentandra, Cordia collococa, Cordia rickseckeri, Eugenia spp, Guaiacum officinale, Plumeria alba, and Tabebuia heterophylla. In additin we worked with the native plam species, Roystonea boriquiensis, also known as Puerto RIcan Royal Palm. We collected data seed germination and seed weights as part of the production process. Unfortunately, Hurricanes Maria and Irma struck the island of St. Croix in September. Hurricane Maria was a category 5 hurricane which destroyed the UVI-AES greenhouses and collapsed the shade house where much of the planting stock was hardening up for outplanting. Most, 89%, of the planting stock was destroyed. The agroforestry plot which was where the outplanting was to take place was covered in fallen branches and trees. However, by the end of calendar year 2017, the fallen timber was removed from the plot. Following two devastating category 5 hurricanes in September 2017, seeds were not available until late in the year. Even with a damaged greenhouse, three native tree species were germinated and grown to the liner stage. In 2018, 81 native trees were planted in an experiment called Passive versus Active Irrigation. Three species are being tested are: Lignumvitae (Guaiacum oficinale), Spanish Cedar (Cedrela odorata), and Gre-Gre (Bucida buceras). The 3 tree species have different growth rates. Lignumvitae grows the slowest, Spanish cedar the fastest, and Gre-Gre is intermediate between the two other species. There are three experimental treatments: trees planted in mulch filled shallow basins, trees planted in the conventional fashion, and trees planted with a PVC pipe with holes drilled into the side closest to the tree. The pipes are approximately 30 cm long with a diameter of 5 cm. Every two weeks a gallon (3.8 L) of water is poured into the pipes. This is considered the active irrigation treatment. The passive irrigation treatment is the use of mulch filled basins to accumulate and conserve rainwater. We are interested in comparing the effect of the treatments within the species, because the species growth rates are so dissimilar. Each species block consists of 27 trees assigned one of the 3 experimental treatments. So each species block has 9 trees assigned to the conventional planting or control treatment, 9 trees assigned to the passive irrigation treatment, and 9 trees assigned to the active irrigation treatment. Plants were monitored for height growth and survival since November of 2018. The project got a late start due to the destruction of the greenhouses and their contents by Hurricane Maria in 2017. Therefore, plant production needed to start over in order to have plants for this experiment. Initial results suggest that height growth is best increased by planting the trees in shallow much filled basins. During 2020, we were operating under Covid-19 restrictions since March, yet still collected data monthly. Our original hypothesis was that the trees would all do better regardless of species in the active irrigation or deep pipe treatment, where they were being watered every 2 weeks with 3.8 liters (a gallon of water). Followed by the trees planted in the basin treatment, which would accumulate and store rainwater in their basins. Finally, the trees in the control treatment, that is to say in a conventional manner, would do the worst. That did not what has been observed. The Spanish Cedars. (Cedrela odorata) performed the best, in the basin treatment, the Gre-Gres (Bucida buceras) trees performed best in the control, and the Lignumvitaes performed best in with the deep pipes. However, there is a noticeable gradient in soil properties (either chemical or physical and/or both) from west to east and where the trees grew the best was in the eastern third of the field. The Spanish Cedars subjected to the basin treatment are growing in this third, as are the Gre-Gres in the control treatment and the Lignumvitae in the Deep Pipe irrigation treatment. It also must be mentioned that most of the Lignumvitae look sickly. They do not like this soil or planting site. Physical and/or chemical properties like compaction or high pH of the calcareous soil could be the reason. The row these trees are planted in is next to a busy road with several hundred years of existence. Perhaps there was building or stone wall on site that hasn't existed for a long time. While digging the planting holes for this site a big block of coral used for construction of colonial era buildings was found lying on the surface of the soil. With both Spanish Cedar and Gre-Gre/Black Olive, I would have expected that to be the same case with Lignumvitae. But this species has not done well at all. Most of the 27 Lignumvitae are dead or dying. It does not like the calcareous soil at all, whether due to chemical, physical properties or both.
Publications
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Progress 10/01/20 to 07/31/21
Outputs
Target Audience:Nurseries in the US Virgin Islands, Botanical gardens, VI Department of Agriculture, Nature Conservancy, local home owners, St Croix Enviromental Association, National Park Service and UVI Cooperative Extension Service. Changes/Problems:Covid-19 restriction imposed by University of the Virgin Islands impaired progress. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Covid-19 restriction hampered these activities. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Complete the project and prepare a final report.Write a new Plan of Research.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Even though Covid-19 restrictions were in place, data was collected throughout the year.
Publications
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Progress 10/01/19 to 09/30/20
Outputs
Target Audience:The Virgin Island's nursery community, backyard gardeners, Cooperative Extension Service, VI Dept. of Agriculture, St George villageBotanical Gardens, local home owners and environmental groups. Changes/Problems:The covid-19 pandemic hit the US Virgin Islands with stay-at-home orders in March and August. This significantly influenced research during these times. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?A student assisted the researcher with watering regimes and collecting monthly data. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?A student was able to attend the Southern Association of Agricultural Scientists in late January, 2020 and present a poster on research results. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Complete the monthly monitoring of the growth and development of the tree species in the trial of multiple irrigation regimes for establishment of trees in the semi-arid US Virgin Islands.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
We have been operating under Covid-19 restrictions since March, yet still collected data monthly.Our original hypothesis was that the trees would all do better regardless of species in the active irrigation or deep pipe treatment, where they were being watered every 2 weeks with 3.8 liters (a gallon of water). Followed by the trees planted in the basin treatment, which would accumulate and store rainwater in their basins. Finally, the trees in the control treatment, that is to say in a conventional manner, would do the worst. That did not what has been observed. The Spanish Cedars. (Cedrela odorata) performed the best, in the basin treatment, the Gre-Gres (Bucida buceras) trees performed best in the control, and the Lignumvitaes performed best in with the deep pipes. However, there is a noticeable gradient in soil properties (either chemical or physical and/or both) from west to east and where the trees grew the best was in the eastern third of the field. The Spanish Cedars subjected to the basin treatment are growing in this third, as are the Gre-Gres in the control treatment and the Lignumvitae in the Deep Pipe irrigation treatment. It also must be mentioned that most of the Lignumvitae look sickly. They do not like this soil or planting site. Physical and/or chemical properties like compaction or high pH of the calcareous soil could be the reason. The row these trees are planted in is next to a busy road with several hundred years of existence. Perhaps there was building or stone wall on site that hasn't existed for a long time. While digging the planting holes for this site a big block of coral used for construction of colonial era buildings was found lying on the surface of the soil. With both Spanish Cedar and Gre-Gre/Black Olive, I would have expected that to be the same case with Lignumvitae. But this species has not done well at all.Most of the 27 Lignumvitae are dead or dying. Itdoes not like the calcareous soil at all, whether due to chemical, physical properties or both.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Sanchez, EP, M Morgan, TW Zimmerman. 2020. Asexual propagation of Bucida buceras: Air layering versus ground layering.
https://journals.ashs.org/hortsci/view/journals/hortsci/55/9S/article-pS1.xml
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Progress 10/01/18 to 09/30/19
Outputs
Target Audience:Nurseries, Botanical Gardens, VI Dept. Natural Resources, VI Dept. of Agriculture, US Fish & Wildlife, local residents and landscapers Changes/Problems:Hurricane Maria in September 2017 destroyed the UVI greenhouses and most native trees.needed for seed collection. Greenhouses have not yet been repaired. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?UVI students and post high school students assisted with seed collection, cleaning and planting. Students assisted with watering seed flats and germination over time.Two students assisted with planting trees to the replicated plot, apply water and collect data. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?work with the students to water trees weekly, collect data monthly and maintain the plot by cutting grass around the trees. . Phenology and seeds of new native species will be sought out weekly. ,
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
We planted 81 native tree species in an experiment called Passive versus Active Irrigation. Three species are being tested are: Lignumvitae (Guaiacum oficinale), Spanish Cedar (Cedrela odorata), and Gre-Gre (Bucida buceras). The 3 tree species have different growth rates. Lignumvitae grows the slowest, Spanish cedar the fastest, and Gre-Gre is intermediate between the two other species. There are three experimental treatments: trees planted in mulch filled shallow basins, trees planted in the conventional fashion, and trees planted with a PVC pipe with holes drilled into the side closest to the tree. The pipes are approximately 30 cm long with a diameter of 5 cm. Every two weeks a gallon (3.8 L) of water is poured into the pipes. This is considered the active irrigation treatment. The passive irrigation treatment is the use of mulch filled basins to accumulate and conserve rainwater.We are interested in comparingthe effect of the treatments within the species, because the species growth rates are so dissimilar. Each species block consists of 27 trees assigned one of the 3 experimental treatments. So each species block has 9 trees assigned to the conventional planting or control treatment, 9 trees assigned to the passive irrigation treatment, and 9 trees assigned to the active irrigation treatment.We have been monitoring height growth and survival since November of 2018. The project got a late start due to the destruction of the greenhouses and their contents by Hurricane Maria in 2017. Therefore, plant production needed to start over in order to have plants for this experiment. Initial results suggest that height growth is best increased by planting the trees in shallow much filled basins.
Publications
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Progress 10/01/17 to 09/30/18
Outputs
Target Audience:Homeowners, nursery and garden centers, botanical gardens, national park service, VI DPNR, USFWS Changes/Problems:The devasation by two category 5 hurricanes and destruction of the greenhouses and shadehouse, negatively impacted the accomplishments for the year. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?A forestry display was was incorporated in the annual Ag Fair. Pruning/hurricane recovery workshops were conducted on St Croix and St Thomas. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Information was distributed at the Ag Fair and workshop. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Establish the tree irrigation studies with three native species.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Following two devastating catigory 5 hurricanes, seeds were not available until late in the year. Even with a damaged greenhouse, three native tree species were germinated and grown to the liner stage.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Morgan, M. and T.W. Zimmerman. 2018. VI Research Day. Page 3.
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Progress 10/01/16 to 09/30/17
Outputs
Target Audience:Tree prodcuers in the US Virgin Islands and the greater Caribbean area Changes/Problems:As previously mentioned Hurricane Maria was a category 5 hurricane which destroyed the UVI-AES greenhouses and collapsed the shade house where much of the planting stock was hardening up for outplanting. Much of the planting stock was destroyed. The agroforestry plot which was where the outplanting was to take place was covered in fallen branches and trees. However by the end of calendar year 2017, the fallen timber was removed from the plot. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?So far Fiscal year 2018 has been dedicated to producing replacing the destroyed planting stock. However it must be mentioned that enough planting stock survived to perform some limited outplanting this year.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Fiscal year 2017 was dedicated to the collection of seeds, and the production of planting stock for outplanting in the UVI - AES agroforestry plot at the start of the rainy season at the end of the 2017 year , which would be the beginning of FY 2018. We had the following tree species ready for outplanting in the greenhouse: Bourreria succulenta,Bucida buceras, Canella winteriana, Cedrela odorata,Ceiba pentandra, Cordia collococa, Cordia rickseckeri, Eugenia spp, Guaiacum officinale,Plumeria alba, and Tabebuia heterophylla. In additin we worked with the native plam species, Roystonea boriquiensis, also known as Puerto RIcan Royal Palm. We collected data seed germination and seed weights as part of the production process. Unfortunately, Hurricanes Maria and Irma struck the island of St. Croix this past September . Hurricane Maria was a category 5 hurricane which destroyed the UVI-AES greenhouses and collapsed the shade house where much of the planting stock was hardening up for outplanting. Much of the planting stock was destroyed. The agroforestry plot which was where the outplanting was to take place was covered in fallen branches and trees. However by the end of calendar year 2017, the fallen timber was removed from the plot.
Publications
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Progress 08/22/16 to 09/30/16
Outputs
Target Audience:Tree prodcuers in the US Virgin Islands and the greater Caribbean araea Changes/Problems:As previously mentioned Hurricane Maria was a category 5 hurricane which destroyed the UVI-AES greenhouses and collapsed the shade house where much of the planting stock was hardening up for outplanting. Much of the planting stock was destroyed. The agroforestry plot which was where the outplanting was to take place was covered in fallen branches and trees. However by the end of calendar year 2017, the fallen timber was removed from the plot. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?So far Fiscal year 2018 has been dedicated to producing replacing the destroyed planting stock. However it must be mentioned that enough planting stock survived to perform some limited outplanting this year.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Fiscal year 2017 was dedicated to the collection of seeds, and the production of planting stock for outplanting in the UVI -AES agroforestry plot at the start of the rainy season at the end of the 2017 year , which would be the beginning of FY 2018. We had the following tree species ready for outplanting in the greenhouse: Bourreria succulenta,Bucida buceras, Canella winteriana, Cedrela odorata,Ceiba pentandra, Cordia collococa, Cordia rickseckeri, Eugenia spp,Guaiacum officinale,Plumeria alba, and Tabebuia heterophylla. In additin we worked with the native plam species, Roystonea boriquiensis, also known as Puerto RIcan Royal Palm. We collected data seed germination and seed weights as part of the production process. Unfortunately, Hurricanes Maria and Irma struck the island of St. Croix this past September . Hurricane Maria was a category 5 hurricane which destroyed the UVI-AES greenhouses and collapsed the shade house where much of the planting stock was hardening up for outplanting. Much of the planting stock was destroyed. The agroforestry plot which was where the outplanting was to take place was covered in fallen branches and trees. However by the end of calendar year 2017, the fallen timber was removed from the plot.
Publications
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