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Oahu Cooperative Extension Agricultural Online Updates
May 2015
CTAHR AT THE CAPITOL (CTAHR NOTES)
CTAHR was out in full force at the recent Ag Day at the Capitol. The Sustainable and Organic
Agriculture Program (SOAP), Master Gardener Program, Food and Farm Safety Program,
Center for Rural Agricultural Training and Entrepreneurship (CRATE), GoFarm Hawai‘i, and Ag
Incubator were available to talk story with legislators and their staff. The event was organized by
the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation. Check out these pictures of CTAHR’s participation in the
event and the Senate Majority Leader’s view of the whole celebration.
Oahu CES supported the Farm and Food Safety Education Booth and updated law
makers about upcoming changes in FSMA, food safety, crop protection chemicals, and
other government related regulations that affect local producers.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FSMA HERE:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/FSMA/default.htm
ORGANIC AGRICULTURE SUMMER SHORT COURSE:
Summer Session 1 & 2 (4-week intensive, June 22–July 17)
Students learn about certified organic agricultural production in classroom settings and through
hands-on experiences. Field-plot training enhances students' understanding of balancing
environmental, economic, and social equity considerations in sustainable food production.
Weekly field trips to experiment stations and local organic farms strengthen the learning
process.
About the Instructors
Theodore Radovich, Ph.D., is an Associate Specialist in the Department of Tropical Plant and
Soil Sciences. Originally from Hawaiʻi, Dr. Radovich has studied sustainable food production
systems for more than 20 years in the Pacific, Asia, Africa, and the mainland U.S. He currently
co-coordinates the Sustainable and Organic Agriculture Program at UHM, and teaches three
classes: Organic Food Crop Production, Vegetable Crop Production, and Herbs, Spices and
Flavorings.
Koon-Hui Wang, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Plant and
Environmental Protection Sciences. Dr. Wang specializes in Sustainable Pest Management and
teaches Weed Sciences, Sustainable Plant and Soil Health Management, and Environment and
Agriculture at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and has been teaching for Outreach College
during the summers.
For more information, email Dr. Theodore Radovich at theodore@hawaii.edu or
visit: http://www.outreach.hawaii.edu/summer/features/FEA-TPSS.asp
UPDATE ON BANANA EXTENSION WORK
Due to the recent request for more applied research in banana production on Oahu, we
have compiled a list of resources for your review and consideration.
2014 BANANA MINI CONFERENCE:
http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/WangKH/banana-research-update-2014.html
DR. WANG’S LIST OF BANANA RESEARCH AT UH CTAHR:
http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/sustainag/news/articles/V22-Wang-bananadisease.pdf
LIST OF PESTICIDES REGISTERED FOR USE IN HAWAII (AS OF 2014):
http://pesticides.hawaii.edu/hipmrinn/banana_licensed_products201409.pdf
PUBLICATIONS BY DR. SCOT NELSON
Ant Damage to Banana Fruits by Abdominal Secretions
Postharvest rots of banana
Black leaf streak of banana
RECENT REQUEST FOR TISSUE CULTURED BANANA PLANTS
UH CTAHR’s Seed Lab no longer offers tissue cultured banana plants for sale.
However, HARC has indicated that banana farmers who are interested in large
quantities of tissue cultured plants may contact Heather McCafferty via
email: hmccafferty@harc-hspa.com or by phone at (808) 621-1303 for more
information. HARC has worked with growers directly in the past in mass propagating
mother starter plants on a farm by farm basis. They are also open to growers grouping
together to place orders.
The original submitted parental material is tested for banana bunchy top virus (BBTV)
when enters the HARC facility before the tissue culture process can be initiated. The
cost fluctuates at an estimated $3 for a bare-rooted virus-free plant, depending on the
number of plants ordered and time it takes to complete the process.
MASS PROPAGATION DIY CLONING EFFORTS
Gabriel Sachter, Graduate Student, and Dr. Richard Manshart, Horticulturalist at UH
CTAHR, Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences shared with participants at the
2014 Banana Mini Conference a technique used in Africa to mass propagate banana
plantlets.
•
Macropropagation of banana plantlets (YouTube)
• Training Manual: Macropropagation of Banana and Plantain (International Institute of
Tropical Agriculture)
• Jensen Uyeda has been working on creating a mass propagation chamber on Oahu. Follow
the progress
here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/128203574@N04/sets/72157649780227425/
o It is important to remember that the parent material needs to be free of BBTV
in order for new plantlets to be disease free. Material can be submitted to
CTAHR’s ADSC to verify the absence or presence of
BBTV: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/site/adsc.aspx
o
2015 SURFACTANT SCREENINGS ON BANANA
Surfactants are important to maximize the effectiveness of crop protection chemicals
(Penn State University). To obtain effective spray coverage, spray droplets must be able
to wet the foliage and spread out evenly over a leaf surface. As a result, the use of a
wetting agent expands the area of pesticide coverage and increases pest exposure to
the chosen chemical. Surfactants are especially important when targeting a crop with
waxy or hairy leaf surfaces. Without surfactants, spray droplets often run or bounce off
the plant surface or fail to adequately cover plant surfaces resulting in poor pest
control.
There are limited crop protection products (limited applications allowed/ crop season)
available to manage BBTV and other banana pests in Hawaii. Incorporation of spray
surfactants (typically exempt from tolerance levels by EPA) may improve spray
efficiency, heighten product effectiveness and minimize pest and disease populations.
Banana growers like papaya producers are hesitant to use a spray surfactant at
recommended label rates due to its ability to cause phytotoxicity or burning to fruit
tissue.
Oahu CES met with CTAHR’S IR-4 Program and consulted with Bayer Crop Science to
request assistance in improving spray coverage, minimizing phytotoxicity issues on
banana fruit, and enhancing the efficacy of a newly registered insecticidal product in
Hawaii, Movento.
Our objective was to assist (organic and non organic) growers in improving spray
coverage which involves: uniform application, application within recommended rate
ranges, use of appropriate surfactants, and optimal penetration within the plant canopy
& fruit column.
We screened and identified 8 potential spray adjuvants: (Hiwett, Exit, Latron B1956,
Dyne-Amic, Break Through, Pure Spray (OMRI), Ag Aide (OMRI), and Indicator 5 (color
indicator) in hopes to optimize insecticide coverage while minimizing the degree of
phytotoxicity on fruit.
Chemicals of the past were mostly contact type of chemicals. New and reduced risk
crop protection chemicals like Movento have different modes of action to control pests.
Our goal was to increase the absorption of Movento into the tissue of the plant to
maximize its systemic properties. Penetrating type of adjuvants (Dyne-Amic, Break
Through, & Exit) were selected based on Bayer Crop Production Sciences’
recommendations as well as products used commonly in university research trials
(Latron, etc.) and growers’ practices (Pure Spray, etc.). Surfactants were combined with
the 2 way, systemic insecticide, Movento. Our intent was to increase spray penetration
into plant tissue, extend the area of spray coverage and protection without burning
fruits.
We utilize a spray volume of 100 gallons / acre. A total of 3 fruit bunches were used for
each treatment. Two young fruit bunches and 1 older fruit bunch were selected. Photos
of the fruit column were taken before and ~2 weeks after initial sprays was delivered.
Blemishes were noted and highlighted with a permanent pen before sprays were
delivered.
SUMMARY:
In summary, results from two replicated, informal field trials demonstrated that
applicators may opt to consider Ag Aide (OMRI) (10 fluid ounces), and Indicator 5 as a
general use surfactant for pest management applications due to its overall low levels of
phytotoxicity to banana bunches. To maximize the mode of action of the newly
registered product, Movento, penetrating type of adjuvants such as Break Through (3
oz) and Hiwett (1.5 oz) should be used with caution and evaluated at the lowest label
rate to minimize phyto-toxicity issues.
The combination of Movento with Pure Spray, Dyne-Amic, Latron and Exit needs to be
re-evaluated further before suggested rates can be determined regarding its phyto-toxity
and spread ability potential on banana. As always, growers are advised to test new
combinations of surfactants or crop protection chemicals on a small area on fields
before applying it to the whole area. NOTE: These trials were conducted in the heavy
rainfall months of: Jan-Feb 2015 vs summer months when sunlight and temperature
may affect results differently.
HAWAIIAN CACAO AND CHOCOLATE CONTEST
In keeping with the mission to assist the “growth of the cacao industry in Hawai’i” the
Kona Cacao Association, the non-profit behind the Big Island Chocolate Festival,
announces a new award, “Best Hawai’i Cacao” for the winner of the Hawai’i cacao
growing and fermentation contest. Any Hawai’i cacao grower who would like to enter
the competition can do so with a pound of fermented cacao beans, an entry fee of $20,
a photo of themselves near their Hawai’i cacao tree and a brief bio.
Here is the announcement, signup, and rules for the cacao award, with 1 lb of
fermented dried beans due in Kona by May 6.
http://www.bigislandchocolatefestival.com/2015/04/15/new-cacao-award-announcedfor-2015/
For more information, please contact:
Nat Bletter, PhD
Chocolate Flavormeister
Madre Chocolate
212-677-0222 c.
nat@madrechocolate.com
http://madrechocolate.com
MORE VEGETABLE VARIETY TRIALS UPDATES
Pests and diseases remain significant bottlenecks in maintaining the economic viability
of Hawaii’s diversified agricultural sector. Continuous identification of promising new
vegetable varieties in addition to reduced risk, sustainable pest management
approaches for commercial edible crop production systems remains a top priority for
Oahu CES. We are working with UH CTAHR researchers, Extension faculty, research
station managers at Poamoho, Waimanalo and Maui in conducting more vegetable
suitability trials across the state to combat new and reoccurring pest invasions. Oahu
CES is actively partnering with other agents, specialists, students, and external
agencies to provide timely updates that we hope are helpful in agri-business decision
making. More sweet basil (BDM/ Stemphillium), broccoli / Brussel sprouts (heat/
bacteria), onions/ tomatoes (virus), choy sum, radish (virus) and other vegetable crops
are being planned for 2015.
CHINESE CABBAGE
Please find below informal results from a joint Chinese Cabbage variety trial conducted
in partnership with Extension agents, Robin Shimabuku & Steve Fukuda, Maui
Research Station Manager, Pam Shingaki and her staff at the Kula Experiment Station.
Select lines of these Chinese cabbage cultivars will soon be grown out on Oahu and
evaluated for heat and diamond back moth (DBM) tolerance. Approximately 40-70
heads of each Chinese cabbage variety was grown in replication in Kula, Maui. The
yield data presented below represents the average weight / head based on an average
of 20 heads selected at random.
In addition, seventeen varieties of head cabbage were recently transplanted in a
randomized complete block planting design at the Poamoho Experiment Station with the
assistance of Research Station Manager, Susan Migita and staff. The intent of these
field trials are to evaluate yield and the horticultural characteristics of head cabbage
cultivars at low elevation sites (<1,000 feet).
MANOA LETTUCE
In 2014, Romaine, red and green leaf lettuce trials were conducted based on growers’
interest in identifying new heat tolerant cultivars. Feedback from Oahu’s lettuce growers
has indicated that there is ample satisfaction and interest in expanding the popular UH
Manoa (green mignonette (Hartmann)) lettuce line. Work is being conducted with UH
CTAHR Supplemental Funds to collaborate with Hawaii County Administrator and
lettuce breeder, Dr. Russell Nagata, Molokai Extension Agent, Glenn Teves, Emeritus
agent, Steve Fukuda and Dr. Ted Radovich with the Sustainable and Organic
Agriculture Program (SOAP/ WSARE) to develop new UH Manoa lettuce hybrids as a
potential a new, organic seed offering via UH CTAHR. Field plantings were initiated in
early 2015 at the Poamoho Research Station and two research stations on Maui. In
addition to field selecting promising UH Manoa cultivars, Dr. Nagata’s Manoa X Little
Gem X Rex crosses, and Agent Teves’ work with plant breeder, Frank Morton’s Manoa
x Leopard were also evaluated in these studies. Crops with ideal horticultural
characteristics were identified in 2015, transferred to a greenhouse structure, and are
being grown out for seed. We hope to conduct a summer planting to evaluate the heat
tolerance of these potentially, new cultivars and conduct additional selections in attempt
to create pure and new lines of UH Manoa hybrid lettuce lines for commercial &
homeowner sales.
2015 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON KAVA
http://www.kavacon2015.com/