Progress 10/15/18 to 09/30/21
Outputs
Target Audience:Results of the study have been shared with numerous stakeholders: ecologists, growers, landscaping industry personnel, farmers, and general public. Findings will beof use in ecological initiatives and improved farming practices. Changes/Problems:The COVID-19 pandemic affected the faculty/staff and students who worked on this project, and one of the major problems we faced was a lack of personnel to conduct field and laboratory activities because of limitations for campus and field access. During the FY21 reporting period, only one research associate worked on this project and greatly affected the progress of accomplishing each objective in a timely manner. Other challenges were shipping delays in laboratory materials and Guam's constantly changing rules and regulations to control the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected educational events and workshop opportunities for Objective #4. In addition, the PI of the project took a leave of absence first and then left University of Guam because of personal reasons. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This project provided training to high school, undergraduate, and graduate students. We provided hands-on, in-field training for plant and soil sampling, greenhouse nursery plant production and maintenance, and a wide range of laboratory skills. Some of the developed skills were: Sterile media and solution preparation Root clearing and staining Fungal structure and/or spore quantification Microscopy DNA isolation PCR amplification of DNA Genetic sequence analysis Professional development. For professional development, all students learned or gained experience with data analysis, electronic laboratory notebook-/record-keeping, file sharing, and preparation of presentations for poster or seminar. 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?
Objective #1: Characterize Guam's native mycorrhizal fungi resources During the FY19 reporting period, we conducted surveys of mycorrhizal fungal communities at tendisparate and diverse sites around Guam. Plant roots and, where possible, their associated soils were collected for three native plant species (Elatostema calcereum, Procris pedunculata, and Taeniophyllum mariannense) across seven limestone forests and one ravine forest, and two non-native and one native plant species (species identity TBD) across two badlands sites in native savannah habitat. We used standard methods to confirm the presence of mycorrhizae in the collected roots of all six plant species. Fungal spores were isolated from the associated soils of the limestone forest sites during this reporting period and prepared for genetic sequencing to identify mycorrhizal species. Collected soils were also used as inoculum for greenhouse production of trap cultures, i.e., plants grown specifically to maintain and increase mycorrhizal fungi in isolation. Objective #2: Identify potentional mycorrhizal species for improved crop plant growth and disease tolerance For this objective, we began trap cultures and isolated mycorrhizal fungi spores, described in Objective #1. We used standard methods to produce pure fungal cultures which were separated based on morphology. We isolated DNA using spores from the pure cultures, performed PCR amplification using ITS5/ITS4 primers in 18 samples and ITS1F/ITS4 primers in foursamples. A total of 22 samples were sent to GeneWiz for Sanger Sequencing. Objective #3: Develop a ready inoculant source of native mycorrhizal fungi for local agricultural producers The fungi spores identified in Objective #2 were processed for long-term storage in -20?C using a filter paper method. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic and lack of personnel, mycorrhizal fungi spores were not isolated from the trap cultures, but the same spores can be reproduced for use by local growers. Objective #4: Educate local growers and agriculture students on the use of mycorrhizal fungi in sustainable agriculture systems As a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, work for this objective has not yet started. We proposed to use materials from Objectives #2 and #3 to develop education materials and curriculum for extension workshops delivered to local farmers.
Publications
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Progress 10/15/18 to 09/30/19
Outputs
Target Audience:During this reporting period, our research efforts reached students in UOG's Biology undergraduate and Environmental Science graduate programs. UOG is an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving Institution (AANAPISI). Undergraduate interns expanded their knowledge of mycorrhizal symbioses, gained experience in project development and design as well as hands-on experience with mycorrhizal analysis of soil and plant roots. They then provided training and mentorship to local high school student interns during a 4-week summer research experience. A graduate student intern expanded her knowledge and understanding of genetic analysis and mycorrhizal diversity, and gained experience in project and team management. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Training activities. This project provided training to high school, undergraduate and graduate students. We provided hands-on, in-field training for plant and soil sampling, greenhouse nursery plant production and maintenance, and a wide range of laboratory skills. Some of the skills training provided: sterile media and solution preparation root clearing and staining fungal structure and/or spore quantification microscopy DNA isolation PCR and gel electrophoresis genetic sequence analysis Professional development. For professional development, all students learned or gained experience with data analysis, electronic laboratory notebook-/record- keeping, file sharing, and preparation of presentations for poster or seminar. Students also participated with preparation and editing of Extension factsheets and video production. Student interns: Maria-Lynn L. Cruz, UOG, Environmental Science (MS) Mario A. Martinez, UOG, Sustainable Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (MS) Jeromalyn W. Santos, UOG, Agriculture and Life Sciences (BS) Nicole R. Imamura, UOG, Biology (BS) Kenton E. Dresbach, Ohio State University, Agricultural Economics (BS) Audrey Taylor, Tiyan High School, Barrigada, GU Aizelle Paras, George Washington High School, Mangilao, GU How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?During the reporting period, the PI and interns organized and presented outreach tables and activities on plant diseases and local food production at the UOG Charter Day event for the island community. Additionally, the PI participated in research symposia at recruitment fairs (UOG Graduate School) and orientation for mentoring programs (NIH-BUILD Exito, NSF Includes, UOG E2 Extension Education Summer Experience) to recruit students into plant pathology and agriculture fields. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the next reporting period, we will complete work on Objective #1 (genetic analysis for mycorrhizal species identification) and transfer pure cultures of isolated mycorrhizal species for use in Objectives #2 and 3. Also, we'll continue gathering and creating multi-media footage for the educational materials (e.g., extension factsheets, YouTube videos) of Objective #4.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Food security in Guam is tenuous and highly dependent on imported foods but demand for locally produced, sustainable food items is growing. One important tool of sustainable agriculture systems is use of mycorrhizae, beneficial fungi that colonize roots of most terrestrial plant species in a symbiotic relationship that improves plant nutrition and allows farmers to reduce fertilizer and pesticide applications. However, current commercially available sources of mycorrhizae are not advisable for introduction into Guam's farm systems because of their unknown impact as potential invasive species, on the island's already fragile ecosystem. Therefore, this project aims to develop Guam's native mycorrhizal fungi for application in sustainable farm systems. Through the proposed research activities of this project, we will create a long-term impact by increasing the familiarity and understanding of mycorrhizal fungi as a tool for sustainable agriculture among Guam's future agriculture professionals (current students), who will concurrently develop the curriculum and educational materials to transfer this knowledge to Guam's current farmers. We also expect a long-term impact on island food security by incorporation of mycorrhizal fungi as a tool to improve local food production and reduce reliance on imported fertilizers and pesticides. Objective #1: Characterize Guam's native mycorrhizal fungi resources During the current reporting period, we conducted surveys of mycorrhizal fungal communities at 10 disparate and diverse sites around Guam. Plant roots and, where possible, their associated soils were collected for three native plant species (Elatostema calcareum, Procris pedunculata, and Taeniophyllum mariannense) across seven limestone forest and one ravine forest site, and two non-native and one native plant species (species identity T.B.D.) across two badlands sites in native savannah habitat. We used standard methods to confirm the presence of mycorrhizae in the collected roots of all six plant species. Fungal spores were isolated from the associated soils of the limestone forest sites during this reporting period and prepared for genetic sequencing to identify mycorrhizal species. (Mycorrhizal species identification will be reported in the next reporting period.) Collected soils also were used as inoculum for greenhouse production of trap cultures, i.e., plants grown specifically to maintain and increase mycorrhizal fungi in isolation. Seven student interns contributed in this research: two graduate, three undergraduate, and two high school students. Interns participated in three distinct team projects. (1) One graduate student thesis project, with support from one undergrad intern, to use mycorrhizal fungi to improve nursery production of larval hostplants for the endangered Marianas eight-spot butterfly. (2) One graduate student thesis project to validate mycorrhizal fungi methods and analysis in a native Guam orchid as "proof-of-concept" prior to work on endangered native orchid species. (3) One undergraduate student project, with support from one undergrad and two high school summer interns, to evaluate the density gradient of mycorrhizal fungi in plants around badlands (highly eroded, exposed soils in native savannah grasslands). Isolated mycorrhizal species from these three sub-projects is being used as the starting materials for research in Objective #2. Objective #2: Identify potential native mycorrhizal species for improved crop plant growth and disease tolerance For this objective, we began trap cultures and isolated mycorrhizal fungi spores, described in Objective #1. Work on this objective will proceed when pure cultures with high spore quantity are available for inoculation to and evaluation in a range of food crop plant species important for Guam, e.g., corn, eggplant, pepper, cucumber, yardlong bean, papaya, watermelon, and taro. Undergrad and graduate student interns will prepare the inoculum (i.e., trap cultures and isolated spores) and conduct the crop plant trials for this objective. Objective #3: Develop a ready inoculant source of native mycorrhizal fungi for local agricultural producers Work for this objective has not yet started. We proposed to use the isolated and validated mycorrhizal species from Objective #2 for this work. Objective #4: Educate local growers and agriculture students on the use of mycorrhizal fungi in sustainable agriculture systems Work for this objective has not yet started. For this objective, we proposed to use materials from Objectives #2 and #3 to develop education materials and curriculum for extension workshops delivered to local farmers.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Imamura, N.R., J.D. Sylvia, and A.L. Blas. 2019. Evaluation of native mycorrhizal fungi to improve growth of green manures for plant and soil health in Guam. Conference on Island Sustainability, Tumon, GU. April 10-11, 2019.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Imamura, N.R. and A.L. Blas. 2019. Evaluating the presence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to mitigate habitat restoration of Badlands. Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), Honolulu, HI. October 31 - November 2, 2019.
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Cruz, M-L.L. 2019. The fungus among us: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculant as a conservation tool for Elatostema calcareum and Procris pedunculata, hostplants for the endangered Mariana eight-spot butterfly. Thesis proposal. Master's program in Environmental Science, University of Guam, Mangilao, GU. January 24, 2019.
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