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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Hilo, Hawaii » Daniel K. Inouye U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center » Tropical Plant Genetic Resources and Disease Research » People » Jon Suzuki

Jon Suzuki

Research Molecular Biologist

Jon Y. SuzukiContact Information

USDA-ARS
Daniel K. Inouye U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center
64 Nowelo St.
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Ph: (808) 959-4311
Fax: (808) 959-5470

 

Publications

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Research Projects

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News Articles

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Education

 

Academic Positions

 

Research

My ongoing research is aimed at advancing, improving and promoting agriculture. Current research efforts are focused on the development of molecular, genetic and germplasm resources and the implementation and use of resulting tools and information towards improvement of tropical/subtropical fruit and ornamentals, their production and access for Hawaii and U.S. agriculture, the greater Pacific Basin and beyond.

 

Current Major Projects

Tropical ornamental plant research

Genome size assessment, transcriptome, floral pigment and chloroplast DNA analyses are among the various resources recently developed for Anthurium, an important tropical ornamental cut flower and potted plant. The previously unavailable resources enable molecular and biochemical characterization of germplasm in collections and hypothesis driven research for the identification of genes for horticulturally and ornamentally important traits, novel genetic elements and the development of improved cultivars. In collaboration with ARS plant scientists, research efforts include development of commercial Anthurium cultivars with novel pathogen resistance or ornamental traits. In partnership with USDA ARS and University partners, research has been initiated to safeguard heritage cultivars and breeding stocks to meet changing and future industry needs.

 

Tropical fruit research

Rainbow papaya, the first commercial transgenic tree fruit crop was introduced to growers in 1998. Its introduction saved the Hawaiian papaya industry from devastation caused by Papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) and today represents >80% of Hawaii’s total papaya planted acreage. Research in the area of biosafety and molecular characterization of Rainbow papaya contributed to import approval by Japan in 2011, a pioneering and new fresh fruit foreign market after Canada for this U.S. specialty crop. Current research continues with molecular characterization of papaya including work on improving coverage of the papaya draft genome and development of new cultivars with broader and improved pathogen resistance.

 

Service, Leadership and Participation in Professional Activities

 

Honors, Awards, Achievements and Recognition