Australian Centre For International Agricultural Research Research Articles

Considerations for Research Funders and Managers to Facilitate the Translation of Scientific Knowledge into Practice.

Research funders and managers can play a critical role in supporting the translation of knowledge into action by facilitating the brokering of knowledge and partnerships. We use semi-structured interviews with a research funding agency, the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), to explore (i) ways that funders can facilitate knowledge brokering, the (ii) barriers to, and (iii) enablers for, facilitating knowledge brokering, and (iv) the individual skills and attributes for research program funders and managers to be effective brokers. Based on these findings, we generate three considerations for research funders elsewhere, in particular R4D funders, seeking to build capacity for knowledge brokering: (i) formalise the process and practice, (ii) develop shared language and understanding, and (iii) build individual competencies and capabilities. Our findings complement the existing literature with a context specific analysis of how research funders can facilitate knowledge brokering, and by identifying the barriers and enablers in doing so.

Impact assessment of the organic agriculture production training program in Northern Philippines

A study was conducted to assess the impacts of the Organic Agriculture Production (OAP) Training Program of Ifugao State University (IFSU) on beneficiaries. The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) framework for impact assessment was used in tracing the impact pathways of the program. It utilized quantitative methods of data collection. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and the Likert scale. Respondents were the beneficiaries of the training that served as the treatment and non-beneficiaries that served as the control. The majority of the treatment and control respondents are young adults and middle-aged, female, married, finished secondary and college, have less than five household members, and are employed. Most of the respondents in the study have organizational affiliations. The inputs to the program were from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the IFSU. The use of these inputs produced technological and capacity building outputs. All the training respondents received their National Certificates, which means that they are all competent in the use of the OAP technologies and that they can produce new products that they can utilize for subsistence and livelihood. The evidently used adoption pathways were capacity building and communication. Respondents from the treatment group “agreed” that their participation in the training resulted in capacity building outcomes utilized at a personal and organizational level. The training program showed significant impacts on farm income, total annual income, employment, organizational affiliation and involvement, and adoption. Policy recommendations for the improvement of the program are discussed.

First report of Sri Lankan cassava mosaic virus and Cassava Mosaic Disease in Laos.

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) has been traditionally grown as a subsistence crop in Laos, but in recent years cassava cultivation in this country has expanded and is becoming a 'cash crop' for farmers (Malik et al., 2020). This also means that cassava vegetative seed (stakes) is rapidly multiplied and distributed. One of the most important diseases affecting cassava in the world is the Cassava Mosaic Disease (CMD), caused by several species of begomoviruses and disseminated by infected stakes or vectored by the whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Legg et al., 2014). Sri Lankan cassava mosaic virus (SLCMV), a bipartite begomovirus, is the virus species causing CMD in Southeast Asia (SEA) and is widespread in Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and south China (Siriwan et al., 2020). During field surveys on July 12 to 14, 2020, the team in south Laos, surveyed 8 fields along the border with Cambodia, in the southern provinces of Attapeu and Champassack and identified CMD symptoms (Supplementary Figure 1A) in only one of the fields, located at Kong District of the Champassack province (GPS coordinates 13.94325, 105.99102). From these 8 fields, samples were collected from every third plant in an X pattern. Photographs from each sampled plant were taken and uploaded into CIAT's PestDisPlace platform (https://pestdisplace.org), for CMD symptom confirmation (Supplementary Figure 1B). Leaf samples were sent to the laboratory for PCR using primers SLCMV-F 5'-ATGTCGAAGCGACCAGCAGATATAAT-3' and SLCMV-R 5'-TTAATTGCTGACCGAATCGTAGAAG-3' targeting the AV1 gene (Dutt et al., 2005), following the protocol described in Siriwan et al. (2020) and primers SLCMV-B-F1 5'-ACCGGATGGCCGCGCCCCCCTCT-3' and SLCMV-B-606R 5'-CACCTACCCTGTTATCGCTAAG-3' targeting part of the BV1 gene. Out of 60 samples collected for the field in Kong district, eleven (18.3%) resulted PCR positive to SLCMV (to DNA-A and DNA-B) but only four plants (6.7%) showed symptoms of CMD (see Supplementary Figure 1B and 1C). None of the samples in the other seven fields had CMD symptoms nor was SLCMV detected in any of these plants. Furthermore, the presence of CMD symptoms in the old leaves of the plants in the affected field suggests that the virus was introduced with contaminated stakes. The complete bipartite genome of one isolate (Champ1), was amplified by Rolling Circle Amplification and sequenced with the nanopore MinION technology as described by Leiva et al. (2020). The sequences were submitted to GenBank under accession nos MT946533 (DNA-A) and MT946534 (DNA-B). A phylogenetic tree for SLCMV and a link to the open SLCMV Nextstrain map (Hadfield et al., 2018) is included in Supplementary Figure 2. The sequences of the DNA-A and DNA-B components of the Champ1 isolate were nearly identical to those of anisolate of SLCMV from Ratanakiri, Cambodia (99.72% for DNA-A and 99.82 for DNA-B; Wang et al., 2016). Phylogenetic analysis (Supplementary Figure 2), grouped isolate Champ1 with those that form the cluster of SEA isolates that contain the shorter version of the rep gene (Siriwan et al., 2020). This short version of rep present a deletion of 7 amino acids at the C-terminus, which is involved in host responses to SLCMV (Wang et al., 2020). The confirmation of CMD and SLCMV in the border between Laos and Cambodia should be followed by disease containment and management strategies, particularly given that the majority cassava varieties grown in Laos are from neighbor countries, most of which have already reported the presence of CMD. Acknowledgements We thank all staff from the CIAT's Cassava Program and the Plant Protection Center of Laos in Vientiane. We acknowledge financial support from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) and the CGIAR Research Program on Roots, Tubers and Bananas (RTB) (https://www.cgiar.org/funders/).

A strategy of assistance (guidance) for farmers to manage Bali cattle (Bos javanicus) improvement technology in South Sulawesi, Indonesia

The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) to finance research projects in Eastern Indonesia, especially in South Sulawesi through the project number. SMAR/2006/061 that have been conducted for the renewal of Bali cattle management technology. Bali cattle (Bos javanicus) are a vital component of Indonesia’s crop-livestock farming systems. This paper describes the method of participatory approaches to management of Bali cattle through the renewal component approach to production technology, namely: 1) Better use of existing forage/feed sources, 2) Introduction and use of new forage, 3) Seasonal mating at the best time, 4) Early weaning and preferential feeding, 5) The calculation and the feed planning. Points 1 and 2 are important because often the main obstacles experienced by farmers. All of these components must interact with each other. Field tests conducted in farmers’ land by 60 people scattered guided farmers in 12 villages in 3 districts in South Sulawesi is the regency of Bone, Barru and Gowa. Specific case studies carried out case by case basis experienced farmers in these three districts. The impact is being tested now and for the propagation in the system of plants and livestock farms in South Sulawesi.

Adoption of leucaena-based feeding systems in Sumbawa, eastern Indonesia and its impact on cattle productivity and farm profitability

Keynote paper presented at the International Leucaena Conference, 1‒3 November 2018, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.Leucaena has been fed to cattle by the Balinese community in Sumbawa and West Sumbawa districts on Sumbawa Island since the 1980s. However, prior to 2011, this practice was not adopted by the local Sumbawanese farmers. Since then, a model leucaena-based cattle fattening system was developed in Sumbawa and West Sumbawa districts in a collaborative research project between the Assessment Institute for Agricultural Technology (BPTP), University of Mataram and The University of Queensland (UQ) funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), followed by a scaling-out project involving collaboration between the University of Mataram and CSIRO (Applied Research and Innovation Systems in Agriculture - ARISA project) funded by DFAT (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) promoting public-private partnerships. Further promotion of leucaena-based fattening systems occurred in Dompu, Sumbawa, through a project with the University of Mataram and Massey University funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT). By the end of October 2018, more than 2,500 farmers on Sumbawa Island were practicing leucaena-based cattle fattening. The main drivers of adoption of cattle fattening with leucaena were: (1) The high growth rates achieved (0.4–0.6 kg/d for bulls fed 100% leucaena and 0.66 kg/d when maize grain was added to the leucaena basal diet) compared with 0.16 kg/d for the traditional system, combined with high profitability; (2) the needs of farmers being met in terms of relevance and cultural appropriateness; (3) field extension staff being well trained and mentored, and respected by the farmers; (4) the local government being highly supportive of leucaena-based cattle fattening; and (5) additional benefits being increased dressing percentage and high carcass quality. The rapid increase in the use of leucaena for cattle fattening in eastern Indonesia is expected to have a significant positive impact on household incomes as well as on regional economic growth.

Impact Assessment: assessing the social dimensions of fisheries research projects in the Asia-Pacific Region

ABSTRACTInterest in understanding the social impact of publicly funded science research is growing globally. However, practical examples demonstrating how the social impacts of research for development are measured are negligible. This paper illustrates the utility of Impact Assessment (IA), Social Impact Assessment (SIA) in particular to measure and articulate the social dimensions of research for development. We employed substantive aspects of SIA to assess the social impacts of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) funded fisheries research projects across Southeast Asia and the Pacific Island Countries. Data were collected through a survey, in-depth interviews, and case studies. Results illustrate that SIA can offer a nuanced understanding of the contribution of research for development to changes in culture, community health and wellbeing, livelihood and economy, and governance and politics, among others. We suggest that researchers, policymakers and research for development organisations consider incorporating SIA in their projects not only as a tool to assess impact but also as a process to manage and understand the social dimensions of science research.

Design Innovation: A Tool for Value-Adding to the Papua New Guinea Balsa Wood Industry

Abstract In recent times the Papua New Guinea (PNG) balsa wood industry has increased in global volume and value, offering employment to a significant number of individuals in East New Britain (ENB) Province. The PNG balsa industry previously relied on China’s renewable wind energy industry for rotor blade manufacturing, which was claimed to be the largest consumer of processed balsa from PNG. Since the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) the Chinese demand for PNG balsa has significantly reduced, resulting in a mass over-supply and under-demand for the PNG resource. A lack of design innovation has added to the current market conundrum and left many smallholders unable to sell their balsa, leading to widespread financial hardship. It has come to the attention of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) and many stakeholders that if there are no new applications for balsa there is no point continuing to grow the resource for a market that is not consuming it. Design innovation generated through research-led industrial design practice is argued as a key element in value-adding to the PNG balsa industry and smallholder businesses. The use of research to inform the design process and generate design innovation is demonstrated through a case study as an attempt to rectify the current over-supply and under-demand.

The evolution and impacts of ACIAR’s forestry research program over three decades

ABSTRACTThe Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) commissions collaborative agriculture, fisheries and forestry research projects in developing countries. Over a 30-year period, ACIAR has invested over AUD 100 million to fund 150 forestry projects and activities in 29 countries, with most of these projects implemented in Indonesia, Vietnam and Papua New Guinea. This article describes the approach that ACIAR uses to develop and implement projects, and reviews the nature of the ACIAR Forestry Program and its achievements during each decade of its existence. About three-quarters of the research projects have focused on aspects of smallholder and community forestry systems. The findings from a series of independent impact assessment studies, which demonstrate generally high returns on the forestry research investment, are reviewed and some examples of different categories of impacts from the research projects are discussed.

Developing a commercial hot water treatment to control post-harvest rots on ‘Fiji Red’ papaya

Fiji exports approximately 800 t year-1 of 'Solo Sunrise' papaya marketed as 'Fiji Red' to international markets which include New Zealand, Australia and Japan. The wet weather conditions from November to April each year result in a significant increase in fungal diseases present in Fiji papaya orchards. The two major pathogens that are causing significant post-harvest losses are: stem end rot (Phytophthora palmivora) and anthracnose (Colletotrichum spp.). The high incidence of post-harvest rots has led to increased rejection rates all along the supply chain, causing a reduction in income to farmers, exporters, importers and retailers of Fiji papaya. It has also undermined the superior quality reputation on the market. In response to this issue, the Fiji Papaya industry led by Nature's Way Cooperative, embarked on series of trials supported by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) to determine the most effective and economical post-harvest control in Fiji papaya. Of all the treatments that were examined, a hot water dip treatment was selected by the industry as the most appropriate technology given the level of control that it provide, the cost effectiveness of the treatment and the fact that it was non-chemical. A commercial hot water unit that fits with the existing quarantine treatment and packing facilities has been designed and a cost benefit analysis for the investment carried out. This paper explores the research findings as well as the industry process that has led to the commercial uptake of this important technology.

The role of Australian foresters in international forestry

ABSTRACTAustralian foresters have played major roles in international forestry for many decades. The scope of the work in which they have been involved can be thought of as falling into five broad and somewhat overlapping categories:(i) introduction of Australian germplasm to smallholder and industrial plantations(ii) developing operational modalities, technical options and supporting regulatory frameworks to adapt forestry to improve community and smallholder livelihoods(iii) developing systems and procedures for reduced-impact logging in tropical rainforests and demonstrating its application in Asia and the Pacific(iv) distilling the lessons learned from field experiences to influence policy and practice of international organisations such as The World Bank, International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO), Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations and International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)(v) building capacity of developing country professional and technical staff.As a result of a large investment in capacity building, the professional staff of forestry and related agencies in many developing countries now have the technical skills that were provided by Australian foresters in the 1970s, 80s and 90s. Consequently, the role of Australian foresters in the contemporary international arena has changed substantially. This has involved a shift from a direct hands-on approach to facilitating change through trained and competent national professional staff. Recent Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) projects have followed this approach with considerable success, and it is a trend that will no doubt continue into the future.The theme of this conference of the Australian and New Zealand Institutes of Foresters (ANZIF) relates to managing the forest estate to meet community objectives. In the international arena, some Australian foresters have demonstrated an ability to see forest management from the perspective of the ‘community’, to seek out and respect community objectives, to learn from communities and to explore modalities of forest management based on this paradigm. One wonders whether the same can be said of Australian foresters working in Australia. There is clearly much that could be learned from the experience of Australian foresters working in the international arena and applied to Australian settings, but there is little evidence of a willingness or desire to do so.

2014 AARES Distinguished Life Member

Jim Ryan's outstanding professional career in agricultural economics has included important contributions to research and to policy formulation, both in Australia and internationally. A consistent feature of his research work has been the integration of agricultural science and economic analysis, a focus that has required collaborative work with agronomists, geneticists and agricultural engineers, among others. He has been an institution builder, applying his multidisciplinary approach in Australia, in India and in Africa. Jim studied under Keith Campbell and Bruce Davidson in the Agricultural Economics Department of the University of Sydney. After receiving his bachelor's degree in 1962 he joined the NSW Department of Agriculture, where he was assigned to Leeton, as one of the first regional economists of the Department, completing his master's degree as an external student, again under Campbell and Davidson. His master's thesis derived optimal farm plans for the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, including optimal farm sizes, using parametric linear programming. This work required extensive collaboration with non-economist scientists for input-output information on present and prospective technologies for incorporation into the analysis, a theme of much of Jim's subsequent research methodology. From 1968 to 1972 Jim was a PhD student at North Carolina State University, on leave from the NSW Department. His PhD thesis estimated a production function for potato production in Peru, drawing on technological information from a large cooperative program conducted at the University. It was adjudged the best Ph.D. dissertation from the Department of Economics of the University in 1971/72. After his return to Australia in 1972, Jim rejoined the NSW Department of Agriculture and continued his research, including a study of the economics of farm size in wheat-sheep farms, comparing both cross-sectional and time series approaches. From 1974 to 1983 Jim was Leader of the Economics Program at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), one of the largest of the 16 International Agricultural Centers of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research with headquarters in Hyderabad, India. During this time he traveled extensively in India, Africa, Europe, and North and South America, building a strong economics research team with an international reputation. Jim and his colleagues made important progress in the area of ex ante assessment of the economics of prospective agricultural technologies and on-farm evaluation of agricultural technologies. He returned to Australia in 1983 and became Deputy Director of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) in Canberra. He initiated and managed ACIAR's programs in Africa and had responsibility for those in South East Asia and the South Pacific. From 1991 to 1997 Jim was Director General of ICRISAT, which then had some 1300 staff in Hyderabad, plus seven locations in Africa involving another 600 and an annual budget exceeding $30 million. He led research on the economics of the staple food crops of the poorest people of Asia and Africa, including genetic enhancement research on these crops to increase their productivity and stability. Since his return to Australia in late 1997 Jim has worked actively as an international agricultural R & D consultant, completing numerous influential commissioned reports for international institutions, along with his own continuing research.

Micropropagation of breadfruit (A. altilis) enhanced using a bioreactor system

Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) is an important starchy food crop with much potential to support livelihoods in the Pacific region. The region has the greatest diversity of breadfruit, with three known species and hybrids. Seeded varieties are largely found in Melanesia and Micronesia, while seedless varieties are found in Polynesia. The seedless varieties are propagated using marcotts, root suckers and root cuttings, and the seeded varieties use seeds. To support increased demands for food for the growing population and to supply market demands, improved methods of propagation are needed. The use of conventional in vitro technology, combined with a temporary immersion bioreactor system, reduced the field-planting readiness time from 44 to 30 weeks. Plantlets produced using the bioreactor were more vigorous, sturdier and taller than those cultured in the conventional semi-solid static tissue culture system. Breadfruit seedlings generated via the bioreactor system are undergoing field evaluation in three breadfruit orchards in Nadi, Fiji, alongside marcotts and root suckers. The analysis is based on the best source of planting material in terms of stem girth, plant height, early fruiting, fruiting patterns, and nutrition and production aspects of varieties. Bioreactor-generated plantlets have also been distributed to Pacific Island countries for evaluation. The research by the Centre for Pacific Crops and Trees (CePaCT) of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) based in Suva, Fiji is part of the Pacific breadfruit project funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR).

A comprehensive approach for assessing the economic contribution of forage and livestock improvement options to smallholder farming enterprises

The importance of livestock production activities to improving the livelihoods of smallholder farming households and the efficiency of their underlying farming systems is increasingly recognized. A rapid increase in livestock numbers, especially beef cattle, and special purpose forages is being promoted for smallholder farms which have traditionally undertaken subsistence cropping activities or simple livestock rearing activities using low quality feedstuffs. Because limited plantings of specialized forages combined with a poor knowledge of animal nutrition are a challenge to establishing sustainable livestock enterprises, much public policy and research is now being focused on the use of new forages and improved feeding practices. A number of economic studies have suggested that specialized forage growing and livestock feeding activities can make a positive contribution to smallholder welfare. The studies have typically compared the total level of farm or household income with and without livestock activities. Little attention is given to how much the new forage or livestock activities actually contribute to or draw resources from other farm activities to assess their real economic contribution to the enterprise, and the availability of simple tools to assist in making such assessments are limited. This paper describes a simple modelling approach that was developed for an Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)-supported project to explore the real as opposed to apparent economic impact of integrating improved forages and livestock within smallholder farming systems in the Red Soils region of south-central China. Application of the model is demonstrated using a simple case study of a smallholder enterprise that plans to introduce a new beef cattle rearing activity to its existing farm activity mix. The case study highlights the importance of explicitly valuing transfers of resources between different farm activities to gauge the real contribution of those activities to economic returns.

PYRETHRUM RESEARCH IN THE HIGH ALTITUDE HIGHLANDS OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Pyrethrum was introduced into the highlands of Papua New Guinea (PNG) and was an attractive cash crop that sustained the livelihood of some 65-85,000 people. Unfortunately, the pyrethrum extraction factory closed during 1995 and growers lost interest in this crop. In 2003, the Enga Provincial Government invested funds to modernise the pyrethrum extraction factory and seek international support to assist the local industry. In 2007, a broadly based team consisting of the Enga Provincial Government, PNG National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), Botanical Resources Australia Pty Ltd (BRA) and the Tasmania Institute of Agricultural Research (TIAR) was successful in obtaining a major funding grant from The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) to recommercialise the pyrethrum industry in PNG. This project supported R&D trials to improve the local plant material, improved growing and harvesting practices that was appropriate for the local growers and assisted in the refurbishment of the pyrethrum extraction factory. This project was very successful and the pyrethrum industry appears to have a sustainable future, but would very much benefit from ongoing support by NARI and the Enga Provincial Government.

Identifying management strategies to improve sustainability and household income for herders on the desert steppe in Inner Mongolia, China

Grasslands play important roles on all continents in ecosystem service and livestock production systems. With increasing human and livestock population, significant challenges are faced in providing safe and high quality animal and herbage products from grasslands in China. The family ranch is the basic management unit and production system in Inner Mongolia, north China. Animal populations are increasing, but the income of herders and grassland condition are not improving. There is a need for new management strategies to guide the future development of animal husbandry. Based on the results of demonstration experiments and surveys in Siziwang Banner, the StageONE Model developed for Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) project “Sustainable Livestock Grazing Systems on Chinese Temperate Grasslands” was used to simulate changes in management strategies in a typical whole farm system, in order to identify feasible, sustainable and profitable farm management strategies. A new management strategy, including lower stocking rates and increased use of feed supplement in winter and spring, was adopted in a small number of farms and compared with the typical farm using the StageONE model. The results show that the total actual energy intake of sheep in the new strategy is higher than under traditional management, and the net energy surplus is –0.36 MJ/sheep unit/d, which is lower than under traditional management. The new strategy, in which stocking rates are reduced by 14.1%, also reduced methane emissions by 34.14% and increased net income by 15.85%. The simulation results suggest new ways for herders, companies and government to improve grassland management while increasing herders' net incomes.

Agriculture, irrigation and poverty reduction in Cambodia: policy narratives and ground realities compared

This report is a contribution to an assessment of the current status of agriculture in Cambodia, focusing on the linkages between agriculture and water, mainly in the form of irrigation. It seeks to view current government policies on agriculture and irrigation in the context of experiences on the ground, as communicated through the many field studies that cover varied aspects of performance in the agriculture sector and irrigation schemes. In an effort to identify future research areas, this review examines the status quo, and connects or disconnects with stated policy through a broad lens to capture strengths and challenges across crop production, irrigation management and post-harvest contexts. It places irrigation under scrutiny in terms of its value as a major area of government expenditure in recent years, and asks whether it presents the best potential for future gains in productivity, when compared with the prospects offered by investments in other aspects of agriculture. The fieldwork and review of current literature that form the basis of this report were undertaken at the request of, and partly funded by, the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR). It is also intended to contribute knowledge to the CGIAR Research Program on Aquatic Agricultural Systems (AAS) led by WorldFish, who co-funded the activities.

Growth of Bali bulls on rations containing Sesbania grandiflora in central Lombok, Indonesia

The demand for meat in Indonesia is currently growing by up to 8% per year, with beef cattle fattening identified as a major livestock industry (Purwantara et al. 2012). Bali cattle (Bos javanicus) account for almost 27% of total beef cattle in Indonesia; they are the predominant breed in the eastern islands and are highly favoured by smallholder farmers for their high fertility, low calf mortality and generally higher price at markets (Purwantara et al. 2012). Lombok in west Nusa Tenggara is one of the biggest suppliers of Bali cattle in Indonesia.A major constraint to improving the overall productivity of Bali cattle is their slow growth rate, due to lack of readily available, inexpensive, high-quality protein sources. Fodder tree legumes, such as sesbania (Sesbania grandiflora), offer a fast-growing, low-cost source of protein (Evans and Rotar 1987). Farmers in Lombok have established a unique and productive integrated farming system by planting sesbania trees along the bunds of rice paddies, providing forage and timber without significantly compromising rice yield (Dahlanuddin and Shelton 2005).As only the central part of Lombok is intensively planted with sesbania, a collaborative project funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) is underway aiming to: (1) characterise the existing cattle fattening system; and (2) assess the impact of differing levels of sesbania feeding on the growth rate of Bali bulls from weaning to maturity (about 30 months old).

The effect of temperature and relative humidity on Acacia mearnsii polyad viability and pollen tube development

Acacia mearnsii (black wattle) is a commercially important forestry species in South Africa, grown for its timber and bark. Due to its invasiveness, it is also considered be an alien invader species and for this reason the production of a sterile triploid variety would be highly desirable for South African commercial forestry. Previous research on crosses between diploid and tetraploid parent plants to produce triploid progeny has resulted in poor seed set. One possible barrier preventing seed set could be the effect of temperature and relative humidity, within the isolation bags used during cross-pollination operations. For this reason in 2011 diploid polyads were subjected to various temperature and relative humidity combinations, to simulate conditions recorded within the isolation bags being used in the 2010 flowering season in order to see if the conditions were detrimental to polyad viability. The results showed that when polyads were exposed to extreme temperatures (>30°C) and low relative humidities (RH's) (10%), polyad viability and pollen tube development, decreased significantly. In contrast the effect of high RH's in combination with low temperatures for long periods appeared to be beneficial to polyad viability and pollen tube growth. The results also indicated that the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) agar germination medium was superior to the Brewbaker and Kwack (BK) 30% agar germination medium for determining polyad viability as it resulted in greater number of pollen tubes per polyad, which were healthier in appearance. The Sigma® DAB peroxidase vital stain test overestimated polyad viability and showed no significant differences between the various treatments, highlighting its unreliability as a test. Polyad viability and pollen tube development were compared across three flowering seasons (2009, 2010 and 2011) and similar trends were apparent with some seasonal differences.

EXPERIENCES IN LINKING SMALLHOLDER VEGETABLE FARMERS TO THE EMERGING INSTITUTIONAL MARKET IN THE PHILIPPINES

ISHS XXVIII International Horticultural Congress on Science and Horticulture for People (IHC2010): International Symposium on Horticulture for Development EXPERIENCES IN LINKING SMALLHOLDER VEGETABLE FARMERS TO THE EMERGING INSTITUTIONAL MARKET IN THE PHILIPPINES

VEGETATIVE COMPATIBILITY GROUP ANALYSIS OF INDONESIAN FUSARIUM OXYSPORUM F. SP. CUBENSE ISOLATES

As part of an Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)-funded project, vegetative compatibility group (VCG) analysis was used to characterise isolates of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc) collected from 12 Indonesian provinces. Samples were taken almost exclusively from cultivated bananas (around 20 different cultivars) in smallholder and backyard plots. In total, 178 isolates were received and, of these, 135 have been assigned a VCG. Isolates have tested positive for the following VCGs or VCG complexes: 0120/15, 0121, 0123, 0124/5, 0126, 01213/16, 01218 and 01219. VCG 01213/16 (the so-called tropical race 4, TR4) was by far the most prevalent strain detected, accounting for approximately 60% of the positive results. It was most commonly isolated from the cultivars 'Barangan' (syn. 'Lakatan', AAA) and 'Pisang Raja' (AAB) and was detected in Sumatra (Aceh and West Sumatra), Java (West Java and Yogyakarta), Kalimantan (West and East Kalimantan), Sulawesi (South East and North Sulawesi) and Papua. These findings highlight the wide distribution of Foc TR4 in Indonesia and the importance of managing its spread. © International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS)