A newly signed master memorandum of understanding between USDA and the State of Hawaii should enhance coordination and cooperation between state departments and USDA agencies in the 50th state, including ARS research laboratories located there. The memorandum, apparently the first of its kind between USDA and Hawaii, seeks to boost the productivity of Hawaii's farms and strengthen its rural communities, among other top-priority goals. Despite the decline in sugarcane and pineapple production in Hawaii, agriculture remains of critical importance to that state. ARS research, along with the expertise of other USDA agencies, is helping Hawaii in the transition from plantation agriculture to more independent, diversified farms producing exotic crops for lucrative mainland and overseas markets. The new agreement will be in effect for 5 years.

Crop Production, Product Value, and Safety, Beltsville, MD
Kenneth W. Vick, (301) 504–5321, kwv@ars.usda.gov

Cooperative Research and Development Agreements

...With Gustafson LLC of Plano, TX, to develop new transplant mixes for tomato and pepper seedlings that will reduce yield losses caused by soilborne pathogens. ARS researchers and cooperators have developed a transplant mix that will help tomato and pepper farmers combat soilborne pathogens such as root-knot nematodes. The transplant mix, BioYield™213, incorporates two naturally occurring soil microorganisms—Paenobacillus macerans and Bacillus amyloliquefacien—that stimulate vigorous growth and improve the health of transplanted seedlings by triggering defense mechanisms in the host plant. This makes the seedlings more tolerant of stresses caused by low water or nutrient levels. This translates into 5 to 20 percent yield increases for tomato, bell pepper, and strawberry growers. BioYield™213 will be commercially available to transplant producers in the fall after grower trials are concluded. This new research has helped scientists determine that alternative soil treatments such as Telone II and PLANTPRO 45 are also effective when they are combined with the new transplant mix technology. This research is part of an ongoing ARS effort to provide farmers with alternatives to the use of methyl bromide, an ozone-depleting soil fumigant to be phased out by 2005.

U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory, Ft. Pierce, FL
Nancy K. Burelle, (561) 462–5800, nburelle@msn.com

...With The Xerces Society, Portland, OR, to enhance populations of native insect pollinators—especially wild bees—on America's golf courses. In conjunction with the U.S. Golf Association's pioneering "Wildlife Links" program, ARS scientists and Xerces Society staff will determine how to establish—on roughs or other out-of-play areas of golf courses—vegetation hospitable to an array of pollinating insects. The Xerces Society is an international, nonprofit conservation organization. ARS scientists are making recommendations about species of native flowers, trees, shrubs, and other greenery that could be planted to meet the pollinators' needs for nectar, pollen, and nesting sites. The scientists are also providing nest blocks to attract pollinating bees and are conducting insect censuses at the participating golf courses. When established, the replanted areas should add diversity to the often uniform golf course vegetation. In addition, these zones may become important reservoirs of native bees that could pollinate plants in small agricultural plots adjacent to the courses or backyard gardens nearby.

ARS Bee Biology and Systematics Laboratory, Logan, UT
Vincent J. Tepedino, (435) 797–2559, andrena@cc.usu.edu

...With Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc., Lakeville, MA, to scrutinize species of bees that might be adept at pollinating cranberries. These alternative pollinators might help with the enormous job of pollinating the 20 million flowers per acre of bog that healthy cranberry plants produce every spring. The key pollinator of American cranberry fields, the domesticated Apis mellifera honey bee, has been hard hit by varroa and tracheal mites, small hive beetles, and the pathogenic microbes that cause American foulbrood, chalkbrood, and other diseases. ARS bee researchers in Logan, UT, along with colleagues at Ocean Spray, are hunting for native bee species that excel in pollinating cranberries. The scientists then plan to develop information that commercial beekeepers can use to produce and manage populations of these bees for work in commercial cranberry bogs. Once used primarily for the familiar garnish at year-end holiday feasts, cranberries today are also in demand for juice, juice blends, and a raisinlike snack, as well as other products. One of the few crops native to America, cranberries are a good source of vitamin C. Wisconsin, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, and Washington lead the nation in cranberry production. The 1998 cranberry harvest of 544,400,000 pounds was worth more than $211 million to U.S. growers.

ARS Bee Biology and Systematics Laboratory, Logan UT
James H. Cane, (435) 797–3879, jcane@biology.usu.edu

...With Novartis Seeds, Inc., Boise, ID, to quantify tomato flavor components and establish criteria for the selection of new lines. In response to the public's growing dissatisfaction with the flavor of fresh tomatoes, ARS researchers and cooperators are investigating ways to improve it. Before deciding what varie-ties are more apt to grow into tastier tomatoes, researchers use chemical and sensory analyses—including an electronic "nose"—to identify the compounds that give tomatoes their distinctive flavor. Preliminary indications are that the most critical flavor components are a variety of aldehydes and ketones—both highly reactive organic compounds—as well as other volatiles, sugars, and acids. Methanol and ethanol are also important because they enhance the perception of other flavors. The researchers will be evaluating industry handling practices, which often diminish the fruit's flavor potential. These include harvesting "immature green" tomatoes along with "mature green" ones and storing or transporting the tomatoes at too low a temperature. Identifying and quantifying important flavor compounds and quantities could also lead to a commercial flavoring agent.

Citrus and Subtropical Products Laboratory, Winter Haven, FL
Elizabeth A. Baldwin, (861) 293–4133, ext. 119, ebaldwin@citrus.usda.gov

...With Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., Johnston, IA, to evaluate corn hybrids for resistance to aflatoxin accumulation. Aflatoxin is produced by the fungus Aspergillus flavus and has food safety implications. ARS scientists evaluated corn hybrids designed to resist infection by A. flavus and aflatoxin accumulation at two locations in Mississippi in the summer of 1999. In turn, Pioneer will evaluate the same hybrids for yield and other agronomic qualities, as well as resistance to fumonisin accumulation. This partnership should expedite the development and marketing of corn hybrids with high yield potential and resistance to aflatoxin accumulation. Contamination of corn grain with aflatoxin can be a devastating problem for farmers, especially during severe drought conditions. Growing resistant hybrids is generally considered the most feasible method of eliminating the problem. Currently, there are no aflatoxin-resistant hybrids commercially available.

Corn Host Plant Resistance Research, Mississippi State, MS
W. Paul Williams, (662) 325–2735, pwilliams@dorman.msstate.edu

....With Sparktec Environmental Inc., Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada, to develop pulsed power pressure technology that will improve the quality and safety of meat products. Pulsed power pressure technology works on the same principle as a spark plug. A large electrical charge of 5,000 volts or more is directed between two electrodes that are submerged in water. This produces a high-energy plasma arc, which in turn produces a pressure shock wave that is directed to the meat product, also submerged in the water. Controlling foodborne pathogens and thereby reducing their potential health risks in meat products is considered one of the most important issues facing meat producers and processors throughout North America and Europe. Secondary to food safety is meat tenderness, which affects consumers' acceptance of a product. Inconsistency in tenderness exists from one animal to another, from one piece of meat to the next, and within the same piece of meat. Sparktec will provide a plasma sparker unit to ARS and train researchers to operate the equipment. Technical support throughout the CRADA will be provided by Sparktec. ARS researchers will supply the meat products, develop experimental protocols, and collect the data from the experiments. They will also characterize the effect of pulsed power discharge pressure on muscle tissue and assess the effect of this treatment on spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms on meat products. Together, ARS and Sparktec will develop applications of pulsed power pressure technology for successful commercial use for meat tenderization and food safety.

Meat Science Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD
Morse Solomon, (301) 504–8400, msolomon@lpsi.barc.usda.gov