2007 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) Assist the local banana industry in developing an in-vitro propagation protocol for apple banana, and to test the efficacy of Provado on aphid vectors of banana bunchy top virus. The second thrust is to develop a propagation and grow-out system for potential GMO and non-GMO plants. The third objective is to compare the nutrient uptake of GMO and non GMO papayas and to determine the degradation of GMO protein of papaya in monogastrics using swine as the test animal. The final objective is to assess the market factors that influence the sales of GMO tropical fruits. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) Existing plant tissue culture laboratory program will attempt to develop an in-vitro protocol for apple banana micropropagation. The efficacy Provado on aphid vectors of banana bunchy top virus will be tested using varied application methods such as spraying, injection and root up-take. An environmentally controlled soil-less system will be developed and tested for the propagation of GMO and non-GMO plant species using seeds and cuttings. Tests will be conducted under greenhouse and outdoor conditions to determine the uptake of nutrients in GMO papayas. Finally, a survey will initiate a market research program on GMOs that help to assess the marketing and economic factors that are associated with GMOs. Documents SCA with UH Hilo. Formerly 5320-21000-010-09S (06/06). 3.Progress Report This report documents research conducted under a specific cooperative agreement between ARS and the University of Hawaii, Hilo. Additional details of research can be found in the report for parent project 5320-21000-011-00D, Molecular Resources for the Improvement of Tropical Crops. In vitro micropropagation of apple banana has been accomplished from field grown plants by reduction of explant size to 10 mm, sterilization with LD and use of ½ strength Morishige and Skoog media with no growth regulators. Further propagation from greenhouse grown tissue cultured plants is less labor intensive. Present research is focused on increasing rate of multiplication of shoots during culture and a media for plantlets prior to removal from the flask for ease of acclimatization. These results were presented to the 37th Annual Banana Industry Association Conference. Presently ginger fields are abandoned for over 10 years because the bacterial wilt pathogen survives well in tropical soils adjacent to roots of alternate host plants. The present research will determine whether particular weeds common in the Hamakua coast can harbor this bacterium. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been found to be a good detection method for soil and root extracts. Current research has found that conventional end point PCR (EP-PCR) is a better tool than real-time PCR (RT-PCR) to rapidly detect the pathogen. EP-PCR enables detection of the bacteria to about 50 colony-forming units (cfu) per milliliter of soil and root extracts, RT-PCR can only detect 50,000 cfu/ml. Results of these studies will be used to recommend a program that can be used to reclaim infested ginger fields. A telephone survey was conducted to determine the attitude of Hawaii residents toward GMO fruits. In general, respondents are not well informed about the GM food products and they are aware that they lack knowledge. Many are wary of consuming GMO because they feel they may be unsafe. This lack of knowledge about how GMO are scientifically produced may cause misconceptions. A strategic educational plan is needed to educate the consumers about GMO. The benefits of GMO for specific products are very important market attributes that influence the consumer’s decision making. A survey of Japan residents is completed and results are being analyzed. Shehata, S., Cox, L.J. 2007. Attitudes of Hawai’i consumers toward genetically modified fruit. Biotechnology, BIO-7. Cooperative Extension Service, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa, pp. 8. Shintaku, M., Seeve, C., Shimabukuro, A.  2006.  PCR assay of the rhizosphere of weeds associated with an outbreak of bacterial wilt of ginger in East Hawaii. Journal of Hawaiian and Pacific Agriculture.  13:9-13. ADODR monitors this project through meetings, email and telephone communications, and progress reporting.