Papaya Ringspot Virus ($233,000)
The requested funding would be used to support cooperative research by USDA's ARS Pacific Basin Agricultural Center in Hilo, Hawaii and the University of Hawaii's College of Agricultural Research and Human resources for pest and disease control on papaya.
The Hawaii papaya industry continues to be unstable. Due to irregular weather and disease and insect problems, trees produced less fruit and a smaller harvest. Cumulative production in 2006 totaled 26.6 million pounds, declining 13 percent from 2005. total bearing acres are slightly lower in 2007. Besides the ringspot virus, papaya mealybug and white peach scale also challenge Hawaii producers. The Papaya Ringspot virus-resistant transgenic papaya (Rainbow and SunUp varieties) are well accepted by consumers in Hawaii and the U.S. mainland. Some markets, however, remain closed to Hawaii transgenic papaya, most notably Japan. Research generated from this project continues to address concerns raised by the Japanese government regarding importation of transgenic varieties.
There are other varieties of Hawaiian papayas that are susceptible to the Ringspot Virus that would benefit from the insertion of the resistance gene, thereby broadening the variety of resistant papayas. Continual research is needed to support both the expansion of ringspot resistance and to address new insect threats.
Recipient: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources
University of Hawaii
3050 Maile Way
Honolulu, HI 96822
Why this is a good use of taxpayer dollars: This project helps protect one of Hawaii's most important crops for both local consumption and export.
