Location: Tropical Plant Genetic Resources and Disease Research
2020 Annual Report
Accomplishments
1. Preserving and distributing tropical fruit and nut trees. ARS staff in Hilo, Hawaii, collect, maintain, and distribute 14 designated tropical fruit and nut crop germplasm accessions which are in fields, greenhouses, and in tissue cultures with the new addition of coffee germplasm. Over the last year, additions have included one litchi, 24 cacao, and 18 avocado accessions to the respective collections. Fifty-seven requests for 381 items were filled, including foreign distributions of papaya to Nigeria, India and Pakistan. This project contributes to positive economic and environmental impact worldwide by providing a reliable and sustainable source of plant germplasm for research and crop production and provides critical plant genetic resources for fundamental knowledge in plant science.
2. A covert killer of macadamia trees discovered in Hawaii. Macadamia nut production in Hawaii is a $42 million industry. There are currently more than 17,000 acres (~1.2 million trees) of macadamia grown in the state of Hawaii. The macadamia nut industry, started and developed in Hawaii, is considered the " gold standard" for quality and taste throughout the world. Early detection and identification of newly emerging diseases is the critical first step to protecting macadamia production being threatened by biotic factors. ARS researchers in Hilo, Hawaii, published the first report of Phytophthora heveae, a plant pathogen, causing Quick Decline on macadamia and the first report of the pathogen on any host in Hawaii. P. heveae has a wide host range, and its presence in Hawaii poses a potential risk for avocado, mango, and cacao production. ARS researchers are actively working with macadamia growers and researchers to assess the impact of Phytophthora diseases and develop improved management practices to minimize tree loss in mature orchards and maintain the economic viability of the industry.
Review Publications
Green, J.C., Al Rwahnih, M., Olmedo, V.A., Melzer, M.J., Hamin, I., Borth, W.B., Matsumoto Brower, T.K., Wall, M.M., Hu, J.S. 2020. Further genomic characterization of pineapple mealybug wilt-associated viruses using high-throughput sequencing. Tropical Plant Pathology. 45:64-72. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40858-019-00330-y.
Brill, E., Hughes, M.A., Heller, W.P., Keith, L.M. 2019. First report of ceratocystis lukuohia on Metrosideros polymorpha on the island of Kaua'i, Hawai'i. Plant Disease. 49(5). https://doi.org/10.1111/efp.12546.
Kargar, M., Woods, F.M., Kessler, J., Vinson, E., Wall, M.M., Fonsah, E.G., Shetty, K., Jeganathan, R.B., Larsen, N. 2019. Screening underutilized banana for carotenoid content and potential health benefits. Journal of American Pomological Society. 73(4):198-205.
Perroy, R., Hughes, M., Keith, L.M., Collier, E., Sullivan, T., Low, G. 2020. Examining the utility of visible near-infrared and optical remote sensing for the early detection of rapid 'ohi'a death. Remote Sensing. 12(11):1846. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs12111846.
Heller, W.P., Hughes, M.A., Luiz, B.C., Brill, E., Friday, J.B., Williams, A.M., Keith, L.M. 2019. First report of ceratocystis huliohia causing mortality of metrosideros polymorpha trees on the island of Kaua'i, Hawai'i, USA. Forest Pathology. 49(5). https://doi.org/10.1111/efp.12546.
Fortini, L., Kaiser, L., Keith, L.M., Price, J., Hughes, F., Jacobi, J. 2019. The evolving threat of rapid 'ohi'a death (rod) to Hawai'i's native ecosystems and rare plant species. Forest Ecology and Management. 448:376-385. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2019.06.025.
Sugiyama, L.S., Heller, W., Brill, E., Keith, L.M. 2020. First Report of Phytophthora heveae causing quick decline of macadamia in Hawai'i. Plant Disease. 104(6):1875. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-11-19-2451-PDN.
Hughes, M.A., Juzwik, J., Harrington, T.C., Keith, L.M. 2020. Pathogenicity, symptom development and colonization of Metrosideros polymorpha by Ceratocystis lukuohia. Plant Disease. 104(6):2233-2241. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-09-19-1905-RE.
Kylle, R., Ewing, C., Hughes, M., Keith, L.M., Bennett, G. 2019. Presence and viability of Ceratocystis lukuohia in ambrosia beetle frass from rapid 'ohi'a death-affected Metrosideros polymorpha trees on Hawai'i island. Forest Pathology. 49(1). https://doi.org/10.1111/efp.12476.
