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HIGH YIELDING AND DISEASE TOLERANT BANANA VARIETIES
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Based on the results of field trials at Laloki, Central Province, NARI has released the five best banana varieties for farmer evaluation. The varieties were selected on the basis of high yield, resistance to Black Sigatoka leaf streak and eating quality as fresh fruit.
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RICE VARIETIES FOR UPLAND CULTIVATION
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NARI has released four upland rice varieties for rain fed cultivation in a PNG lowland environment. The four varieties, NR 1, NR 9, NR 15 and NR 16 are high yielding with good eating and cooking qualities and tolerant to insect pests and diseases. The selected varieties performed significantly better compared to the control varieties with respect to yield and yield stability across the various environments. Yield performance was further complemented by good eating qualities as tested in separate consumer preference trials.
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TARO HYBRID VARIETIES
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NARI’s ongoing taro breeding program is focused on creating improved varieties with taro leaf blight (TLB) resistance, high yield potential and good eating qualities. In 2001, NARI released three varieties (NT 01, NT 02 and NT 03). In 2003, it released NT 04. These varieties are from elite lines tested at various representative sites within Papua New Guinea. Four new taro varieties have been selected for PNG farmers to use for food, nutrition and income security.
They are: NT05 (BL/SM/43), NT06 (BL/SM/148), NT07 (C5-353), and NT08 (C5-245).
They originate from the Samoan and PNG Taro breeding programs, respectively. These taros have been evaluated in the field under various environmental conditions (wet-and dry lowlands and highlands), and have shown to be superior to the local taros. Farmers in Madang, Morobe, Eastern Highlands and East New Britain helped to evaluate these varieties and made recommendations based on yield, resistance to diseases, taste, cooking properties and potential for marketing or integration into their farming systems.
NT 05, NT06, NT07 and NT08 were released on 4 May 2017.
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DROUGHT TOLERANT SWEET POTATO VARIETIES
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The World Bank funded Drought Response Project worked on a selection of staple crops for drought tolerance and high yields and came up with recommended sweet potato varieties for the lowlands and highlands.
Varieties for the lowlands were chosen on the following basis:
Drought tolerant
High yielding
Yields of 11 – 16 tonnes/ ha or 1.1 – 1.6 kg/ m2
Yield was reduced by not more than 30% under dry conditions
NARI Nambis Kaukau 1, 2 and 3 are early maturing
Dry conditions = planting during dry season at Laloki and withholding irrigation for six weeks
Sweet potato varieties for the Highlands were selected on the following basis:
All varieties are drought tolerant
All mature early • Yields of 12 - 22 tonnes/ha
Dry conditions = covering plots with plastic sheet to keep moisture out for nine weeks.
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CASSAVA VARIETIES RECOMMENDED FOR THE DRY LOWLANDS
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The World Bank funded Drought Response Project worked on a selection of staple crops for drought tolerance. Cassava was identified as a drought tolerant crop and varieties with high yields and low cyanide content were selected. Four cassava varieties are recommended for farmers in the dry lowlands. Yield ranged from 20-29 tonnes/ha or 2.0-2.9 kg/m2
Cyanide contents were low at 1.2-1.5 mg of HCN/100g of fresh tuber
Cyanide content less than 5 mg/100g fresh tuber is safe/harmless
Trials were carried out by the NARI Dry Lowlands Research Program at SRC, Laloki
Varieties were obtained from existing collections held by NARI from previous DAL research.
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BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENTS OF CHROMOLAENA
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Two biological control agents for chromolaena weed have been introduced.
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USE OF DIADEGMA AS BIO CONTROL AGENT IN INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT (IPM) OF CABBAGES
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IPM is a sustainable and environmentally friendly pest management technology using cultural practices, quarantine, biological control agents and selective insecticides.
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ROPE AND WASHER PUMP
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Cheap and easy to manufacture using local materials. Provides water for irrigation and household use. Lifts water from up to 20 m deep.
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LOWLAND SWEET POTATO VARIETIES
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NARI has released 79 sweet potato varieties suitable for the normal lowland conditions of PNG. These include four lowland drought tolerant varieties previously released as a drought coping strategy. The release of these cultivars will give the farmers in the Islands Region and other lowland areas a wider range of superior sweet potato varieties to choose from and will improve their food security and income generation.
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KAVA VARIETY AND INFORMATION PACKAGE
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NARI is recommending the PNG kava variety “Madang short”. While recommending this variety, it has released a kava information package which includes information on cultivation, processing and marketing.
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VANILLA TECHNOLOGY INFORMATION PACKAGE
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NARI has released a technology package that gives details on the correct methods to grow and cure vanilla under PNG conditions to maximise bean yield and quality. The package comprises 12 Toktoks and extension bulletins that cover all aspects of vanilla cultivation and post harvest processing.
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PLANT DERIVED PESTICIDE TECHNOLOGY PACKAGE
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The yield and quality of Brassicas and other green leafy vegetables are often greatly reduced by insect pests. Research carried out at LAES since 1993 in partnership with the German Development Service (GDS) has resulted in the development and release of plant derived pesticides (PDP). Plant derived pesticides are compounds that are obtained from plants that can be used to control pests on crops.
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BANANA PEST CONTROL TECHNOLOGY PACKAGE
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The banana pest control package gives details on how to effectively control banana scab moth and banana fruit fly which are serious pests of banana in the Islands Region, particularly in the Gazelle Peninsula.
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BANANA BIT PROPAGATION TECHNOLOGY PACKAGE
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Bananas are normally propagated by suckers. Some farming communities in Papua New Guinea use mature or full-grown banana plants for re-planting. The disadvantage with this method is that it is very difficult to obtain a large quantity of planting material at any one time if it is desired to plant up a large area of garden. NARI’s research scientists have experimented with the banana bit technology for over five years and has released it as a well proven means for banana propagation.
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YAM AND TARO MINI-SETT RAPID MULTIPLICATION TECHNIQUES
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In Papua New Guinea, past research has identified shortage of planting material as a problem affecting yam species that produce one to a few tubers per plant. With taro, the third most important staple food crop in PNG, it is even more difficult to obtain enough planting material at any one time using traditional techniques. In order to overcome these problems, PNG researchers have experimented with cutting minisetts from the mature taro corms or yam tubers. The technique has been readily adopted and is used widely and successfully in PNG.
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AFRICAN YAM MANAGEMENT PACKAGE
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Native to West Africa, the white yam Dioscorea rotundata was introduced into Papua New Guinea in 1986. It is commonly known as the African yam in PNG. NARI has released two varieties.
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TRAINING PACKAGE FOR LOWLAND VILLAGE CHICKEN OWNERS
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Village poultry owners in the lowlands of PNG now have a training package which can help them improve chicken production. NARI has made this possible after a project on testing and delivering of technologies to improve village poultry production was conducted in the Morobe Province by NARI’s Livestock Programme. The package comprises of a Training Manual “Improving Village Poultry Production” and a companion Information Handbook with the same title.
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DROUGHT COPING STRATEGIES
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During a drought, water becomes limiting in the soil, therefore restricting crop growth. This results in reduced crop yield causing food scarcity. An extended period of drought can result in severe famine for people who depend entirely on the land for food. During the 1997 El Nino induced drought, it is believed that some children and the elderly died due to famine. Following that drought, NARI conducted extensive research under a World Bank funded Drought Response Research Project and developed a number of drought coping strategies.
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FUNGICIDES FOR MANAGEMENT OF POTATO LATE BLIGHT
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Potato is an important cash and food crop for the highlands. The potato industry was worth K15 million per annum before the incursion of potato late blight (PLB) into Papua New Guinea in 2003. Fungicide use is now an important consideration for potato growers. The potato late blight disease is now affecting potatoes grown in the highland provinces and the Telefomin and Oksapmin areas of Sandaun Province. NARI in response carried out trials to identify suitable fungicides to provide suitable recommendations on application.
NARI has now recommended Chlorothalonil and Copper-based fungicides to farmers.
Description:
Fungicide use is now an important consideration for potato growers Chlorothalonil and Copper-based fungicides are readily available from agricultural stores in the highlands
Uses of both fungicide types are specified and promoted through NARI Toktok (TAM01 Information on Ways to Control Potato Late Blight Disease). Copies of this Toktok is available at all NARI Information Centres and all FPDA offices in the highlands
Demand from farmers for information on the use of fungicides is high and progressive farmers are already using chlorothalonil base fungicides
Photo caption: Inspecting potato variety evaluation trial at Tambul, Western Highlands
Tambul, Western Highlands
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ORIBIUS WEEVIL MANAGEMENT PACKAGE
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An Oribius Weevils Management Package has been released by NARI for Highland farmers who feel the impact of Oribius weevil damage to their agricultural crops. Oribius weevils are insect pests which feed on many different plants ranging from leafy vegetables to fruits and field crops such as coffee. Feeding causes significant reduction in crop growth, loss of yield, downgrading of crop marketability and, in severe cases, increased tree and seedling mortality. The released package contains recommendations on type of insecticides, dose rates, timing of application both in terms of year and time of day, elimination of preferred weed host plants and the use of intercropping or border planting.Description:
The importance of this group of weevils as a most important pest of a range of food crops in the Eastern Highlands is confirmed The levels of potential crop loss for five important crops – avocado, cabbage, capsicum, citrus and strawberry – have been documented cost effective controls through the use of two available insecticides - Karate and Target - have been recommended following extensive laboratory and field trials
Studies of host preferences have identified important sources of infestation from weeds or other crops
Three non-preferred crops – spring onion, carrot and cassava – have been identified as suitable for intercropping or border planting to reduce oribius damage
A Technical Bulletin “Oribius Weevils Ecology and Management”, posters and a Toktok are available from NARI Information Centres.
Photo caption 1_ Oribius Weevil
Photo caption 2_ Capsicum damaged by Oribius Weevil
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CONTROL OF TARO BEETLE USING INSECTICIDES
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NARI has recommended two insecticides; Bifenthrin and Mustang to control taro beetles from damaging taro crops.
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EARLY MATURING SWEET POTATO VARIETIES FOR HIGH ALTITUDE HIGHLANDS
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NARI has recommended 12 sweet potato varieties which can produce between 4 – 9 tonnes per hectare (marketable yield) at 6 months for the High Altitude Highlands Areas (more than 2,000 metres above sea level) of PNG. This is an improvement because traditional varieties take 9 -12 months to mature. The selection of these early maturing varieties provides an assurance for food security especially after frost events which occur frequently in these areas.
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IMPROVED PEANUT PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY
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Peanut is one of the most nutritious and easily grown food crops. It can complement the cereal and tuber food staples as root and tuber crops lack the essential proteins necessary for a balanced diet.
Peanut also improves soil fertility for other crops. Peanut can be a major source of cash income, particularly for women. Nevertheless, current peanut production levels in PNG are generally low with pod yields of 0.5 to 1 tonne per hectare as against the crop’s potential of 3-4 tonnes per hectare with appropriate improved production technologies.
With a domestic market valued at K29 million and serious engagement of farmers in peanut production, it is imperative for economic gains.
Peanut is one of the most nutritious and easily grown food crops. It can complement the cereal and tuber food staples as root and tuber crops lack the essential proteins necessary for a balanced diet.
Peanut also improves soil fertility for other crops. Peanut can be a major source of cash income, particularly for women. Nevertheless, current peanut production levels in PNG are generally low with pod yields of 0.5 to 1 tonne per hectare as against the crop’s potential of 3-4 tonnes per hectare with appropriate improved production technologies.
With a domestic market valued at K29 million and serious engagement of farmers in peanut production, it is imperative for economic gains.
Based on research done by the NARI, Trukai Agribusiness Ltd, Ramu Agri Industries Ltd and ACIAR (QDPI), high yielding peanut cultivars and improved production practices have been recommended and released.
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SWEET POTATO SILAGE FOR FEEDING PIGS
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Sweet potato is an important crop for humans and domesticated livestock, particularly pigs. Providing consistent, nutritious feed is a challenge for all livestock systems. Feed conservation is a major constraint to productivity of village smallholder farmers in PNG, since till now there has been no means of storing perishable starchy feeds like sweet potato, for longer term after the lush season. NARI Livestock Research Project has released the adapted technique of ensiling a mixture of sweet potato tuber and vine, a technique enabling feed nutrients to be stored as a preserved (fermented) feed for up to seven months. The silage can then be mixed with other feeds containing more protein and can then be fed as a highly palatable and nutritious feed to all classes of pigs.
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CONCENTRATES AS LEAST COST EFFECTIVE FEEDING OPTIONS FOR FINISHING BROILERS
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Two Broiler Finisher Concentrates have been released on May 5, 2011 to the farming communities to address the rising cost of commercial feeds for broiler chickens. They are Low Energy Concentrate (LEC) to be used with sweet potato and High Energy Concentrate (HEC) to be used with cassava for finishing broilers to maturity.
This research was done to reduce costs for farmers who raise broiler chickens. It addresses the rising cost of feeding broilers by smallholder farmers and improves their competitiveness in the broiler market.
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LATE BLIGHT RESISTANT POTATOES
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Four potato varieties with resistance to Potato Late Blight (PLB) disease have been released by NARI. NP1 and NP2 were provisionally released in 2011 and NP3 and NP4 in 2013.
In 2003, the PLB disease caused by the pathogen Phytophthora infestans swept the country and crippled the thriving potato (K15 million) industry. A major contributing factor was the widespread use of the potato variety Sequoia which is highly susceptible to PLB. In order to address the problem, 59 clones bred for PLB resistance were brought in from the International Potato Centre, Peru for evaluation. Best performing clones in terms of high level of PLB resistance, yield, eating and processing quality and other criteria were identified through trials on station and testing in on-farm participatory trials across the Highlands (Enga, Western and Eastern Highlands and Kabwum in Morobe Province over eight years. 59 clones bred for PLB resistance were brought in from CIP Peru for evaluation.
Major partners in this research for development work were NARI, FPDA and the Department of Primary Industries, Victoria, Australia with financial and technical support from ACIAR.
This work started in November 2004 with the introduction of PLB resistant clones from CIP. The releases originated as CIP clones: 384298.56 (NP1), 393077.54 (NP2), 391058.175 (NP3) and 392657.171 (NP4).
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COLD TOLERANT RICE VARIETIES
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NARI has released two high yielding cold tolerant rice varieties suitable for the Highlands environment. They are NR 2 and NR3. Under the IRRI numbering, they are IRGC 77426 and IRGC 77427 respectively.
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PYRETHRUM CLONE
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Pyrethrum clone NPy1 is released for the high altitude highlands.
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IMPROVED SWEET POTATO VARIETIES FOR THE LOWLANDS & HIGHLANDS
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Two improved varieties of sweet potato have been pre-released to the farming community. These lines were tested in a series of trials across diverse locations at Bubia in Morobe, Aiyamontena in The improved varieties NSP 01 (NIB 005[G2]) and NSP 02 (NIB 1032-189[G5]) have shown stable performance across different environments and had comparative advantage over known local commercial varieties such as Wanmun and Kerot Goroka. Eastern Highlands and Tambul, Western Highlands provinces
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