Progress 07/06/17 to 12/31/21
Outputs
Target Audience:During the project, the target audience was comprised of graduate and undergraduate agricultural science students, growers, extension agents, and professionals. The target audience was reached by means of classroom and field classes, participation in the application of treatments and evaluation of results, study visits/workshops, and presentations and publications. Changes/Problems:The COVID19 pandemic limited the training and outreach activities in part of 2020 and 2021. Nevertheless, when in-person activities were not possible, dissemination of the activities and results of the project were conducted Online. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Throughout the duration of the project, graduate and undergraduate students of agricultural sciences from the UPR Mayaguez Campus were informed and trained in practices of pomegranate, avocado, and breadfruit management, including planting, fertilization, irrigation, crop protection, pest and disease monitoring, harvesting, and evaluation of physical and chemical fruit quality. Two graduate students in the MS program of Horticulture at UPR-Mayaguez conducted their research in the orchards of the project. Also, growers and extension agents were exposed to the project. While avocado is a common fruit tree crop in Puerto Rico, both pomegranate and breadfruit are relatively new as crops in the island (although known in Puerto Rico for several centuries). Therefore, this research and the training of human resources associated with it is likely to have a deep impact on the increase of knowledge about those crops in the stakeholders exposed to the project. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results have been disseminated mainly through visits to the orchards, information shared in formal teaching and extension, as well as presentations and publications. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?This is the final report for this project, but during the project we gathered much information that may be used to write several manuscripts and several presentations.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Avocado: The research was done with the 'Butler' avocado, which is the main commercial variety in Puerto Rico. The project evaluated the effects of 12 regimens of nitrogen (N) fertilization, including N application during flower induction, flowering, and early and late fruit growth. Fruit yield was significantly influenced by N treatments, due mainly to changes in fruit number rather than to individual fruit weight. Yield was greater when 800 or 900 g N were distributed in three equal applications at flower induction, flowering and fruit development, while N application at only 2 or those 3 stages resulted in lower yield. Those results may be instrumental in developing better N management practices for 'Butler' avocado. Breadfruit: We studied the effects of two rates of N (typical rate and 1.25 the typical rate) and soil-applied phytostimulants on breadfruit growth and fruit yield. The higher N rate resulted in larger trees with greener leaves and greater fruit yield. The phytostimulants were a 6% amino acid blend (3 L/ha/year), a 5.5% peptide mixture (2.5 L/ha/year), a 4% humic acid formulation (7 L/ha/year), and an alga extract with the equivalent of 100 g per L of kinetin (3 L/ha/year). Trees were larger and produced more fruit when treated with the peptide formulation than when treated with the amino acid or the alga extract formulations. Trees without biostimulant application had the lowest fruit yield. These results indicate that tree size and fruit yield can be managed with N and phytostimulant applications. Pomegranate: The treatments were the same as in breadfruit, but the results were different. Extra N did not benefit pomegranate. Application of the alga extract and the peptide formulations resulted in more productive plants, and application of the amino acid phytostimulant were less damaged by the Pseudocercospora punicae leaf spot. These results indicate that in the tropical conditions of Puerto Rico, pomegranate growth and yield may be regulated using phytostimulants, but not with greater rates of N.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Morales-Payan, J. P. 2022. Biostimulants and nitrogen affect pomegranate flowering and fruiting. I International Symposium of Reproductive Biology of Fruit Tree Species. Acta Horticulturae.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Morales-Payan, J. P. 2021. Flower and fruit production of 'Wilson' avocado in response to paclobutrazol. I International Symposium of Reproductive Biology of Fruit Tree Species. (France, online) Book of Abstracts, page 32.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Morales-Payan, J. P. 2022. Managing breadfruit yield with soil-applied nitrogen and biostimulants. IX International Symposium on Mineral Nutrition of Fruit Crops. Acta Horticulturae.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Morales-Payan, J. P. 2021. Avocado tree growth and fruit yield in response to nitrogen fertilization regimens. Acta Horticulturae.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Morales-Payan, J. P. 2021. Breadfruit Response to Nitrogen and Biostimulants. The Northeastern Plant, Pest, and Soil Conference. January 4-7, 2021. Abstract 30.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Morales-Payan, J. P. 2021. Efectos de bioestimulantes y nitr�geno en �rboles juveniles de Artocarpus altilis. Abstract Book, page 82. Online Congress of Citrus, Olive and Fruits. Spanish Society for Horticultural Sciences. March 23-25, 2021.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Morales-Payan, J. P. 2021. Effect of Selected Biostimulants on Pomegranate Growth. The Northeastern Plant, Pest, and Soil Conference. January 4-7, 2021. Abstract 29.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Morales-Payan, J. P. 2021. Breadfruit Response to Nitrogen and Biostimulants. The Northeastern Plant, Pest, and Soil Conference. January 4-7, 2021. Abstract 30.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Morales-Payan, J. P. 2021. Avocado as Affected by Nitrogen Application Programs. The Northeastern Plant, Pest, and Soil Conference. January 4-7, 2021. Abstract 31.
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Progress 10/01/20 to 09/30/21
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience in this reporting period were graduate and undergraduate agricultural science students, growers, extension agents, and agricultural sciences professionals. They were reached through classroom and field lectures, active participation in the application of treatments and the assessment of results, visiting the orchards, and by presentations and abstracts. Changes/Problems:The restrictions in person-to-person interactions imposed by the COVID19 pandemic had a limiting effect on group activities, such as visits to the orchard. Instead, dissemination of the activities and results of the project was conducted mainly online. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Campus were exposed to the objectives, procedures and results of the project in relation to production and protection practices of pomegrante, avocado, and breadfruit. A graduate student in the MS program of Horticulture at UPR-Mayaguez did her graduate research in the pomegranate orchards of the project. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?When the COVID19 restrictions allowed, stakeholders visited the orchards. Students also received information about the project and its results in online activities. Presentations and publications were also prepared. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will continue with the activities of the project in the field, will prepare presentations for professional meetings and will start writing papers to disseminate the results.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Avocado: The experiment with N fertilization programs provided results that may be useful for plant nutrition recommendation to growers of avocado in tropical conditions. Breadfruit: In the period reported here, the experiment with N and phytostimulants in breadfruit confirmed the results of previous years, in that increasing N rates above the common recommendation increased fruit yield and plant size. Phytostimulants also help increase fruit yield. To the best of out knowledge, this is the first N and phytostimulant research conducted by the Ag Experiment Station in Puerto Rico. Pomegranate: The results of this report period confirmed the findings of previous years in the project, in that additional N was not advantageous for young pomegranate plants in southwestern Puerto Rico.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Morales-Payan, J. P. 2021. Efectos de bioestimulantes y nitr�geno en �rboles juveniles de Artocarpus altilis. Abstract Book, page 82. Online Congress of Citrus, Olive and Fruits. Spanish Society for Horticultural Sciences. March 23-25, 2021.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Morales-Payan, J. P. 2021. Effect of Selected Biostimulants on Pomegranate Growth. The Northeastern Plant, Pest, and Soil Conference. January 4-7, 2021. Abstract 29.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Morales-Payan, J. P. 2021. Breadfruit Response to Nitrogen and Biostimulants. The Northeastern Plant, Pest, and Soil Conference. January 4-7, 2021. Abstract 30.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Morales-Payan, J. P. 2021. Avocado as Affected by Nitrogen Application Programs. The Northeastern Plant, Pest, and Soil Conference. January 4-7, 2021. Abstract 31.
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Progress 10/01/19 to 09/30/20
Outputs
Target Audience:Traditionally, the main target audience for the project had been students of the UPR-Mayaguez Campus, who visited the experimental orchards in Lajas and Isabela as part of their study tours in courses such as HORT 4015, HORT 4046, HORT 4009 and CFIT 3005. This was accomplished in the fall semester of 2019, with approximately 70 undergraduate students visiting the orchards and receiving information about the objectives, management practices used, and results of the project. Also, some undergraduate and graduate students with assistantship or as volunteers visited the experiments in the summer and the fall semester of 2019 to help with orchard maintenance and assist in evaluation of the treatments and fruit harvest. However, in the spring semester of 2020 the number of visitors was reduced to about 45 students, because of the outbreak of COVID19 and the gathering restrictions that were enacted in the University in March 2020. The COVID19 pandemic brought about a cessation of visits to the orchards by students enrolled in the courses of the UPR-Mayaguez Campus traditionally brought to the experimental sites such as CFIT 3005, HORT 4009, HORT 4015 and HORT 4046. For the remainder of this reporting period, gatherings were discouraged to reduce the risk of COVID19. As a result, we were not able to hold field days or guided tours for extension agents, students, growers, and other stakeholders in the orchards of this project in Lajas and Isabela, as planned for 2020. Instead, in the courses on Introduction to Organic Crops (HORT 4046) and Growth Regulators in Horticulture (HORT 6669) taught by the PI, the project was described to the approximately 35 students enrolled. Efforts: Students of Agricultural Sciences enrolled in courses (HORT 4015, HORT 4009, HORT 4046, HORT 6669) at the UPR-Mayaguez campus, or as volunteers, or receiving research assistantship, were provided with information about the purposes of the project, the research methods, and management practices for production of avocado, breadfruit, and pomegranate. This included mostly undergraduate students, with graduate students being part of HORT 6669 and or participating actively in the project as part of their MS research thesis. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?A graduate student in the graduate Horticulture program at the UPR-Mayaguez Campus trained from 2017 thought 2020 in the project using the pomegranate experiments for her MS thesis. A second student continued her work in 2020 and will continue in 2021 towards her MS in Horticulture as well. Additionally, other graduate and undergraduate students participated in the project field and laboratory activities either as volunteers, in their Summer Practicum, or as paid assistants, gaining knowledge and experience in fruit crop management, laboratory fruit assessment, and the scientific method applied to agriculture. Moreover, personnel of the Agricultural Experiment Station such as labor and research associates and assistants working in the project developed skills for field management of relatively new crops to Puerto Rico such as breadfruit and pomegranate. They have also learned about the diversity and particulars of the different varieties in the trials. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?In September 2019-October 2020, results of this project have been spread through the UPR-Mayaguez Campus courses HORT 6669, HORT 4015, HORT 4046, CFIT 3005 and HORT 4009. Additionally, in May 2020 one student finished her MS in Horticulture using results of the pomegranate experiments in Lajas. Said thesis is available online for those interested. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?This project will continue in 2020-2021, with field and laboratory work as programmed. The in-person training and outreach activities of the project in 2020 and 2021 will depend mainly on the restrictions imposed by the COVID19 pandemic. The training of research assistants as well as graduate and undergraduate students involved in the maintenance, application of treatments, and evaluations of the experiments will continue, in an individual basis and following the protocols for protection against the COVID19. One graduate student working in the pomegranate experiments finished her MS in Horticulture in May 2020, and another graduate student became interested in the project and is continuing the pomegranate experiments for her MS thesis research. Group visits and study tours to the orchards of the project are unlikely in 2021, and dissemination of results in 2021 may have to be virtual, or through formal courses at UPR-Mayaguez, or through scientific presentations and publications. In that regard, the PI is scheduled to present results of the breadfruit and avocado experiments of this project in the Northeastern Plant, Pests, and Soils Summit (Online meeting) in January 2021. Later in 2021, the PI expects to present results of the pomegranate, breadfruit and avocado experiments in the Annual Meeting of the American Society for Horticultural Science in August 2021. If the opportunity arises, results of the project may be presented in other virtual meetings before October 2021.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
October 1, 2019-September 30, 2020: Avocado: In this project we evaluated 12 programs of nitrogen (N) fertilization to determine their effects on fruit yield in the 'Butler' avocado, the variety most widely grown in commercial avocado orchards in Puerto Rico. The programs included various rates of N during the stages of flower induction, flowering, early fruit growth and as late as when fruits reached 50% of its expected final size. Other nutrients were applied as necessary according to soil and leaf analyses. The results showed that for fruit yield there were optimal ranges for the amount of N fertilizer in each application, and that the optimal amount of N in each stage generally depended on the amount of N applied in the previous stage. This may be valuable information in devising fertilization programs for 'Butler' avocado. Breadfruit: N was applied to the soil at 90 or 112 g per tree per year. The biostimulants were a 6% amino acid blend (3 L/ha/year), a 5.5% peptide mixture (2.5 L/ha/year), a 4% humic acid formulation (7 L/ha/year), and an alga extract with the equivalent of 100 g per L of kinetin (3 L/ha/year). Trees receiving 112 g N per year had larger crowns, more leaf area, higher greenness (SPAD) values. Also, trees with 112 g N per year produced significantly higher fruit yield than those receiving 90 g N per year. Trees treated with the peptide formulation performed better, followed in descending order by tree with the amino acids treatment, the humic acid treatment, the alga extract treatment, and the check with the lowest yield. The results of this research indicate that tree growth and fruit yield of the breadfruit could be significantly increased with N management and application of selected biostimulants. Pomegranate: The treatments were a standard dose of 100 g N/plant/year (check) or 125 g N/plant/year, applied without biostimulant or with and algae extract, amino acids, peptides, or humic acid. The N rate of 125 g did not significantly enhance pomegranate growth and performance. Plants treated with the alga extract and the peptide biostimulant tended to be larger than plants with other treatments. On the other hand, plants treated with the amino acid biostimulant showed less damage by the leaf spot caused by the fungus Pseudocercospora punicae.
Publications
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Progress 10/01/18 to 09/30/19
Outputs
Target Audience:In October 2018-September 2019, the main audience for the project were students, who visited the orchards throughout the FY to learn about the research conducted and to be instructed in general management practices of the crops. From Academia Serrant, 20 student visited the orchards on December 18, 2018. From UPR Mayaguez we had several groups visiting the orchards, including 15 students of the course CFIT 3005 on November 9 of 2018, and another 15 students of the course CFIT 3005 (a different section) on November 27, 2018. Also 15 students of HORT 4009 on February 15, 2019. Additionally, several undergraduate and graduate students worked either as volunteers or under assistantship helping with general maintenance of the orchards, application and evaluation of treatments. Efforts: Students as volunteers or in the courses HORT 4015, HORT 4009, HORT 4046, HORT 6616, and HORT 6998 were exposed to research methods and or to management practices in avocado, pomegranate and breadfruit through either formal course activities, volunteer field and or laboratory work, or research (part of student thesis, Special Research Problems). Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?A graduate student is using the pomegranate experiment for her thesis research in the MS in Horticulture program at the UPR-Mayaguez campus. She is expected to present her thesis, dealing with the treatment effects during the juvenile stage of the crop. Another graduate student will carry on with the experiments and probably use the fruit-production stage for her thesis. An undergraduate student conducted a Special Research Project with the breadfruit experiment, that being his first experience in field research. He was trained in breadfruit production, N and bioestimulant management, and the scientific method. Other graduate and undergraduate students also participated in the breadfruit, pomegranate, and avocado experiments, either as volunteers for the research experience or and as part of the practical component of their courses (CFIT3005, HORT 4015, HORT 6669, and summer practicum). Workers and research associates at the Research Station have acquired experience in pomegranate and breadfruit management practices. We do not keep records of the growers and homeowners that routinely pass by the station and when seeing the orchard stop to ask the staff about the experiments, but it seems this happens at least once a week all year long. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results so far have been disseminated to people interested by informal communication (person-to-person), and by training UPR-Mayaguez students in courses such as HORT 4018, HORT 6616 and HORT 6698. The results have been shared with graduate and undergraduate students at UPR Mayaguez. In the process of participating or learning about the project, several undergraduate students have expressed interest in becoming graduate students to be in charge of similar projects. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The research will continue in October 2019-September 2020. The treatments and evaluations will be implemented. We will continue educating stakeholders and students about this research. Results will be disseminated through courses, visits, presentations and publications.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Major activities (October 1, 2018-September 30, 2019): The treatments for breadfruit trees were combinations of soil-applied nitrogen (90 g N per tree or 112 g N per tree per year) and phytostimulators (a control without biostimulants or a monthly soil drench of an amino acid mixture, a peptide mixture, an alga extract, or humic acid). The results of 2018-2019 indicate that the trees with 112 g N were taller, wider and with greener leaves (greater SPAD values), and that phytostimulators increased SPAD values and plant size and leaf area. Peptide-treated trees tended to be larger and appeared more vigorous than other trees. The treatments for pomegranate varieties 'Palermo' and 'Parfyanka' were combinations of soil-applied N (100 or 125 g N per plant per year, divided in 12 applications) and phytostimulators applied as soil drench every 2 weeks (peptides, amino acids, humic acid, marine alga extract). Leaf spots caused by the fungus Pseudocercospora punicae were observed all year long in both varieties, and the number of leaves affected and the severity of the disease depended on which phytostimulant and N rate was applied. During this reporting period, the plants were still in the juvenile phase. In 'Palermo', shrub width with the treatment of 100 g N combined with the alga extract was greater than in plants with peptides with 100 or 125 g N, with other treatments being intermediate among those. For 'Palermo', plant height, leaf area, number of stems, and SPAD values were not significantly affected by the treatments. In 'Parfyanka', shrub width and height were greater with 100 g N than with 125 g N. Also, plants treated with the alga extract and peptides tended to be taller. In avocado, plants were fertilized with 12 different N rates and times of application. The reference treatments were 800 g N divided in 2, 3 or 4 equal applications with a total of 800 g N/year. Other treatments were variations on the amounts applied at flower induction, flowering, and fruit growth stages, using this year the standard rate of 800 g N/tree/year or a rate of 1000 g N/tree/year. Trees with the 1000 g N rate had greater leaf area and SPAD values. Tree size and vigor was greater with 200 g N at 4 months prior to flowering followed by 400 g N at flowering, 200 g N in April and 200 g N in June, for a total of 1000 g N per year. Size and vigor were about 15% lower with a three way split of 267 g N prior to flowering, at flowering and during fruit growth (1000 g N) or with 467 g N prior to flowering followed by 267 g N at flowering and 267 g N 2.5 months prior to harvesting.
Publications
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Progress 10/01/17 to 09/30/18
Outputs
Target Audience:From October 2017 to September 2018, the main audience for the project was made up of BS and MS students of the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez Campus. Efforts: Students were exposed to management practices in avocado through formal courses (mainly HORT 4015, HORT 6669, and CFIT 3005), and a summer practicum in plant sciences (summer 2018). Graduate students in the UPR-Mayaguez MS program in Horticulture were trained in orchard management of pomegranate, breadfruit and avocado. Changes/Problems:Establishing the pomegranate and breadfruit orchards was delayed because of Hurricane Maria, but that part of the research is now well on its way. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?A graduate student in the Horticulture Program at UPR-Mayaguez Campus is using the pomegranate experiment for her MS thesis research. Other graduate and undergraduate students have participated as volunteers in the pomegranate, avocado and breadfruit experiments for research experience or as part of the practical component of formal courses (CFIT 3005, HORT 4015, HORT 6669, and summer practicum). Workers and research associates at the Research Station have acquired experience in pomegranate and breadfruit management practices. Growers routinely ask about the results of the experiments. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results so far have been disseminated to people interested in the topic via informal communication (person-to-person), and by training UPR-Mayaguez students in courses such as tropical fruit production (HORT 4015), growth regulation in horticulture (HORT 6669), and the summer practicum for undergraduate students (2018). Graduate students and undergraduate volunteers have also received information on the results and procedures through their interactions with the PI. Some undergraduate students acquainted with the research have expressed interest in becoming graduate students in the near future in order to participate in this or similar research. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Research will continue from October 2018 to September 2019. The treatments will be applied and evaluations will be carried out. We will continue educating the students and the general public about this research. We will disseminate the results through courses and presentations.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Major activities (October 1, 2017-September 30, 2018): Hurricane Maria affected Puerto Rico in September 2017, negatively affecting avocado and breadfruit orchards. Several trees were killed by direct damage from wind and rain, and some died later in 2017 and early 2018, probably from damage to the roots. In the period of October 2017-September 2018, the breadfruit trees were treated with combinations of biostimulants (control without biostimulants or with a monthly soil drench of an amino acid mixture, a peptide mixture, an alga extract, or humic acid) and nitrogen (70 g N per tree or 90 g N per tree per year). Trees receiving the higher N rate were larger and had greater chlorophyll concentration than those receiving the lower N rate. All the biostimulants resulted in greater values of plant size and chlorophyll concentration in the leaves, with higher values at the N rate of 90 g/tree/year. As compared to the other trees in the experiment, the plants treated with the peptide mixture were taller, had greater chlorophyll concentration, more leaves, larger leaf area, and a larger trunk diameter. Pomegranate orchards of the varieties 'Palermo' and 'Parfyanka' were established. Combinations of N (100 or 125 g N/plant/year divided in 12 applications) and biostimulants (soil drench every 2 weeks) were applied to the soil in both varieties. In general, the highest N rate did not result in increased overall growth as compared to the lower N rate. Leaf spots appeared in pomegranate during the rainy months of spring and summer, and the causal agent was identified as the fungus Cercospora sp. A relationship between treatments and disease severity was not determined. Plants treated with either the alga extract, the amino acid mixture, or the peptide blend tended to produce more shoots and leaf area from the plant base. The pomegranate plants are still in their juvenile phase;therefore, no fruit production yet. In avocado, plants were fertilized with 12 different N rate and time of fertilization regimes, including the traditional recommendations for Puerto Rico (2, 3 or 4 equal applications with a total of 800 g N/year), and variations on the amounts applied at flower induction, flowering, fruit growth, and vegetative growth. This year the standard 800 g N/tree/year or 1000 g N/tree/year was used. Plants receiving N more times throughout the year had greater leaf area and a more consistent chlorophyll concentration in the leaves over time, compared to plants receiving N at larger rates applied fewer times throughout the year. Adult trees of the 'Butler' variety usually flower in February and March of each year. From February to March 2018, the avocado orchard did not flower at all. We speculate the stress caused by Hurricane Maria in September 2017 (winds and flooding) may have caused the plants to skip flowering in February 2018 while still recovering from the effects of the hurricane.
Publications
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Progress 07/06/17 to 09/30/17
Outputs
Target Audience:In the three months of July, August, and September 2017, the main audience for the project were BS and MS students. Efforts: Students were exposed to management practices in avocado through formal courses (mainly HORT 4015, HORT 6653, and CFIT 3005), and the course of summer practicum in plant sciences (summer 2017). Graduate students in the UPR-Mayaguez Horticulture MS program were trained in pomegranate propagation and breadfruit planting as well as in avocado management. Changes/Problems:The project is facing delays due to hurricane MARIA, which devastated most of Puerto Rico in September 2017. Due to the hurricane we lost most of the pomegranate transplants growing in the greenhouse at the time, and the breadfruit trees that were in the greenhouse ready to be transplanted in the orchard also suffered extensively. Although we were able to plant them in the field, a large percentage of the transplants were too damaged and died out afterwards. In the existing avocado orchard in Lajas, we lost some trees to the hurricane winds, and later on other trees died out of root rot because of the excessive rains and wet conditions associated with the hurricane and rainy weather afterwards. As a result, planting of the new pomegranate orchard is delayed, and the breadfruit and avocado orchards need new plants to complete the number of trees originally proposed for the project. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?We have increased the skills and knowledge for human resources involved in the project (such as labor in research farms and students involved directly in the project), and of students exposed to information of the project through formal classes or other training. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?By means of formal undergraduate courses such as HORT 4015, summer practicum of undergraduate students (2017), and one-on-one training of graduate students. Crop science students (from UPR-Mayaguez and Inter-American University) have visited the orchards of breadfruit and avocado, receiving information about the purpose and importance of the research, as well as witnessing the damage caused by hurricane Maria. UPR-Mayaguez students have been exposed to the pomegranate propagation process, and graduate students have expressed interest in participating in the project. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Planting more avocado and breadfruit to replace lost trees, growing more transplants of pomegranate to be able to establish the orchard for that fruit crop. Apply the treatments and evaluate crop response. Continue educating the general public and students regarding the importance of this research and the crops involved. Disseminate the results obtained in that reporting period.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Major activities (July 1-September 30, 2017): In the existing avocado orchard, treatments were applied in August 2017. Hurricane Maria affected Puerto Rico with very strong winds and torrential rains in September 2017, killing part of the trees and presumably washing way fertilizer and phytostimulators in the soil. The treatments need to be reapplied in the following reporting period (>October 2017). The breadfruit orchard was planted in September 2017, shortly after the hurricane (transplants were in the greenhouse programmed to be planted in September 2017). Part of the transplants was lost in the hurricane or died out in the field as a result of the injuries sustained from it. Attempts will be made to purchase more breadfruit plants and complete the number of plants proposed for the experiment. As a last recourse, the number of plants per treatment will be reduced according to the number of surviving trees. Pomegranate of identified varieties and in sufficient quantities for the experiment were not found in local nurseries in the summer of 2017. Therefore we took stem cuttings from existing orchards of known varieties to produce the transplants needed. Most of the were lost in the greenhouse as a result of hurricane Maria. Pomegranate in the orchards were also killed or injured and there will be a waiting period for those plants in the field to recover before we can undertake their asexual propagation again. We expect to grow sufficient transplants in late 2017 and early 2018 to plant the pomegranate orchard in 2018. In spite of the difficulties resulting from hurricane Maria, we can mention that we have acquired knowledge and experience from the activities and evaluations conducted in the 3 months of July, August and September 2017: We have found pomegranate was affected by a fungal leaf spot (caused by Cercospora sp.) and thrips, avocado was affected by thrips, and breadfruit was affected by a leaf rust. There has been increased awareness of the potential for commercial pomegranate and breadfruit production in the state, as well as enhanced skills in students and labor involved in crop propagation and management in these crops. Work to recover the orchards and produce more pomegranate transplants was initiated as soon as possible under the dire circumstances of road access, fuel shortages, and communications Puerto Rico was left after hurricane Maria.
Publications
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