We continued cycles of genetic improvement of about 60 inbreds for potential commercial use, focussed in homozygosity for gene Mv for maize mosaic virus. Back-and test-crossing continued with sublines of out 12 elite inbreds to improve roots and stalk quality and grain yield. Two UH-bred 3-way crosses were used in >1000 acres of silage production this year, the first significant production of silage in the state for 25 years. Both have high tolerance of local diseases and pests and are grown without fungicides or insecticides.

QUALITY EVALUATION OF HORTICULTURAL CROPS: COFFEE
Cavaletto, C. G.

Studies on the effects of low-water demucilage processing on the cup quality of coffee compared with hydro-pulped and fermented coffee showed no statistically significant differences between the methods. The cup quality of coffee that was mechanically dried versus sun dried was also not statistically significant different. It was concluded that low-water processing by the Becolsub Model 1200M could be used with no detrimental effect on coffee cupping quality. However, the low-water processed coffee did incur more parchment breakage and parchment discoloration than other methods, which might be attributed to the inability of the operator to fine-tune the flow rate of pulped coffee cherries through the demucilage section of the Becolsub. Use of a low-water demucilaging process has the potential of decreasing pollution problems due to waste water.

PHYSIOLOGY OF FLOWERING OF TROPICAL ORNAMENTALS
Criley, R.

The heliconia productivity evaluation provides a basis for selecting varieties to cover the whole year's market period. Varieties can be selected for overlapping blooming period and a means for predicting blooming times and production at those times is being developed by following shoot development rates. This information will assist Hawaii growers to increase their export of these bold tropical flowers. The ability to manipulate flowering through daylength offers a means for heliconia growers to extend flowering seasons and reap the economic benefit of higher prices for out-of-season blooms. A niche market for the export of rooted vireya rhododendron cuttings or pre-finished potted rhododendrons could develop from the increased interest in these species as potted flowering plants. Hawaii growers could produce and root cuttings year around for mainland finishers.

PROPAGATION OF NATIVE HAWAIIAN PLANTS FOR THE ORNAMENTALS INDUSTRY
Criley, R. A.

The Propagation of Native Hawiian Plants website, http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu.591/hawnprop/ , will permit persons interested in conservation, garden culture, or commercial nursery operation to locate information compiled in one easy- to-search database. This is a valuable service because the information is located in a diverse body of literature, some of which is obscure and not easy to find. The ease of propagation of the papala and the 'ohia selection mean that they may be readily increased for possible use as potted plants.

DEVELOPING WEED CONTROL COMPONENTS FOR BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN HAWAII
DeFrank, J.

Orchid and anthurium grower can use the herbicide efficacy work reported here to expand production of high value exported plants that are free of weeds. Pest free plants are an absolute necessity for plants exported from Hawaii. The data generated on edible ginger will allow for the composition of a use pattern for Clethodim. The use pattern will be used to obtain an approved protocol for a residue study with resulting data used to request a food use tolerance. A food use tolerance is required of all pesticides labeled for use in the U.S. by the EPA. With Clethodim approved for use, ginger growers can expand production and reduce harvest costs associated with weed removal.

A PROTOCOL FOR RAISING MYCORRHIZAL SEEDLINGS IN CONTAINERIZED NURSERY PRODUCTION SYSTEMS
Habte, M., Elevich, C., Scowcroft, P.

The research focused on the determination of the influence of seedling age on the post- transplant performance of mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal seedlings. The data appears to suggest that the best age for transplanting mycorrhizal seedlings lies in the 60-90 days range, although this has to be confirmed under conditions more favorable for mycorrhizal development The effort is designed to ultimately help nursery practitioners shift from a seedling production practice that is contributes to environmental pollution to one that minimizes such a pollution.

CHEMISTRY AND BIOAVAILABILITY OF WASTE CONSTITUENTS IN SOILS
Hue, N. V.

Manganese (Mn) toxicity is a serious constraint to many crops grown on acid soils in Hawaii. Applications of organic wastes to high-Mn soils may casue Mn toxicity if planting (or transplanting) follows shortly after the waste application. On the other hand, a combination of gypsum and lime is more effective in corecting Mn toxicity than either soil amendment alone (at equivalent Ca rates).

CULTIVAR EVALUATION FOR CONTAINER PRODUCTION IN HAWAII
Iwata, R., Criley, R. A., Rauch, F. D.

A lack of industry requests for cultural research on foliage suggests that the project no longer has a function to fulfill and was terminated on 30 Sept. 2000. Soaking the distal end of the cane in an 800 ppm solution of cytokinin improved the number of shoots that were initiated and grew, and that cane diameter was less important than where it developed on the plant prior to harvest. Hawaii's dracaena cane export have been held in high regard amongst foliage finishers on the Mainland, and the use of the bud break inducing chemicals could add to that image if exporters were to adopt the treatment as a standard practice prior to shipping.

PHYSIOLOGY OF FRUIT GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF MACADAMIA
Kobayashi, K. D., Nagao, M. A.

This project seeks to show the relationship between branch size (length), number of leaves, number of nuts, and nut growth. Average nuts/branch was 6.5 though branches could have 14 and 17 nuts per branch. That is, although about 6 nuts/branch occurred most frequently, branches were capable of having lots of nuts, e.g., 14 and 17 but more branches had a smaller number of nuts, e.g., 2 or 3 nuts. This information helps provide insight into the understanding of the tree influences on nut growth and yield.

CULTURAL STUDIES OF SHELTERED AND FIELD VEGETABLE PRODUCTION
Kratky, B. A., Wu, I. P.

Growing cucumbers in plastic trash containers has already be adopted by several growers and elementary and high school programs. In fact, in a presentation to an American Society for Plasticulture audience, several of the researchers and extension specialists were quite excited about the possibility of demonstrating root growth by this technique to elementary and high school teachers and students in their respective states. There is a need to grow watercress by a method which eliminates the possibility of contamination by water-borne pathogens. This information improves the economic viability of producing hydroponic watercress. The non-circulating hydroponic method for lettuce which has been developed previously by this project has demonstrated a yield advantage over a common float bed horticultural practice for growing several crops. A number of farms plus elementary and high schools have adopted the practice of growing hydroponic lettuce by the suspended pot technique.

BREEDING AROIDS FOR QUALITY, PRODUCTIVITY, AND DISEASE/PEST RESISTANCE WITH EMPHASIS ON ANTHURIUM
Kuehnle, A. R., Uchida, J., Lichty, J., Kunisaki, J., Sipes, B.

Fragrance in flowers is once again desirable by the consumer. Knowledge of fragrance biology and genetics for anthurium is essential for varietal development and post-harvest handling. First generation progeny analyses from 22 crosses between non-fragrant and fragrant parents indicated that multiple genes likely govern the presence of scent in Anthurium. This work directly benefits anthurium researchers and consumers.

BREEDING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY OF ORCHIDS WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON DENDROBIUMS
Kuehnle, A. R.

Knowledge of RNA extraction methods for orchids is essential for molecular characterization of transgenic plants and for orchid gene cloning. The reported protocol may be useful for a variety of orchid genera. This will directly benefit orchid researchers and indirectly orchid consumers through varietal development.

EVALUATION AND CULTURE OF HAWAIIAN ANTHURIUM ANDRAEANUM CULTIVARS FOR POTTED PLANT PRODUCTION
Lichty, J. S., Nagao, M. A.

Plantlets of Anthurium andraeanum cultivars Kozohara, Anuenue, Fujii Pink, Oshiro Red, Kalapana, Rudolph, Ozaki and Hidden Treasure were treated with drenches of 0 or 250 ppm BA and are being grown under 65% or 80% shade. The anthurium andraeanum cultivars tested were not marketable at 4 months after planting. Several other cultivars are still being grown in cell-paks.

CULTURAL STRATEGIES TO INCREASE ANTHURIUM CUT FLOWER PRODUCTION
Lichty, J. S., Nagao, M. A.

‘Marian Seefurth' plants grown for one year under 65% and 73% OLS (aluminum) and 63% saran shading produced larger flowers than 80% saran shade. Marketable yields (yield - rejects due to fading, sunburn or crooked stems) were lowest for 63% saran and 60% aluminet shade. 'Tropic Fire' plants produced flowers with shortest stems under 63% saran, 75%OLS and 60% aluminet shade with no differences in yield between types of shading. Plastic cover to increase night temperature did not affect anthurium flower production or quality in November to December, 1999. A layer of organic mulch over the cinder medium did improve flower yield and quality.

GENETIC CHARACTERIZATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF TROPICAL FRUIT AND NUT GERMPLASM
Manshardt, R. M.

Last year, 16 papaya plants were selected from a complex segregating population in the first cycle of a recurrent selection program to combine highly heritable disease resistance and horticultural traits. The selections were self-pollinated, and the progenies were planted in the field in January 2000. The population of 1440 plants was inoculated with papaya ringspot virus in July. In August, the planting was reduced to a single transgenic virus-resistant hermaphrodite tree per hole, and during the current fall season the remaining 450 plants were evaluated for early, consistent production of symmetrical fruits. Some PRSV-resistant plants started producing ripe fruit only 0.5 meter above ground level within 10 months of the seed planting date. Thirty preliminary selections are now being evaluated for fruit quality and resistance to Phytophthora aerial blight. Conventional breeding and genetic transformation methodologies are being used to produce new papaya cultivars with improved disease resistance and productivity. These approaches are complementary, in that conventional methods best allow for creating new combinations of characteristics pre-existing in the species, whereas genetic engineering permits the introduction of single traits that are entirely new and beneficial.