Project Activities
Workshop on Use of Molecular Markers in Plant Genetic Resources (March 2009). Eight faculty and two
staff members participated in the three-day workshop that combined theory and practice. Topics included DNA
extraction, electrophoresis, PCR, and interpretation of results. Dr. Feiko Ferwerda (front, center) was
the workshop instructor.
FAA Camp at Lake Guajataka (Jan 2009) Aproximately 150 students from high schools across the island
spent the last weekend in January enjoying the facilties of Lake Guajataka Camp. Students participated in
many recreational activities and listened to talks on a variety of subjects including plant breeding.
SOPCA annual meeting, November 2008: The annual meeting of the Sociedad Puertorriqueña de
Ciencias Agrícolas (SOPCA) was held on November 20-21, 2008 in Aguadilla, Puerto
Rico. Eight HSI program participants attended the meeting. Axel Ramirez, Sonia
Carlo, Giseiry Rosa, Luis Genaro Sierra and Arnelis Crespo presented their research during the meetings.
North Dakota State University Summer Intern Program (May - Aug 2008): University of Puerto Rico-
Mayaguez students arrive in Fargo, North Dakota, May 18, 2008 to begin their 11 week internship program.
From left to right: Arnelis Crespo, Dr. Richard Horsley (project Co-PI at NDSU), Veronica Acevedo, Adiana
Nieves (back), Luz Alcazer (front), Dainette Vazquez, Ronald Dorcinvil, Pamela Paoli, Hector Oliveras.
Over the summer the students worked in various plant breeding research projects or related projects
in plant pathology and horticulture. Some of the crops students worked with include wheat, potato,
barley, oats, dry beans, and horticultural crops such as june berries and grapes. Applications for the 2009
"Career Day" at Monsanto and Pioneer, April 2008: Twenty-three students visited the field stations
of Monsanto and Pioneer in the Santa Isabel/Salinas area of the south coast of Puerto Rico to learn about
career opportunities in the seed industry. Most of the major players in the global seed industry for
agronomic crops have off-season nurseries in Puerto Rico. Here students have a question and answer
session with seven Monsanto employees who are graduates from the College of Agriculture at UPRM.
Undergraduate research, spring semester, 2008: Agronomy and Soils student Gisiery Rosa Valentin
carries out a study looking at the inheritance of resistance to Zucchini Yellow Mosaic Virus in tropical
pumpkin. Other students participating included Adiana Nieves (effect of fruit age on seed viability in
sweet chile pepper (aji dulce) and Litza Lopez (selection for resistance to melonworm in pumpkin).
SOPCA annual meeting, November 2007: The annual meeting of the Sociedad Puertorriqueña de
Ciencias Agrícolas (SOPCA) was held on November 15, 2007 in Cataño, Puerto
Rico. Five HSI program participants attended the meeting. Angela Linares and Sonia
Carlos gave presented their research.
Faculty/Staff Plant Breeding Short Course, August 2007: During the days of the 15, 22 and
29 of August, twenty-four researchers from the Agricultural Experiment Station and
the Cooperative Extension Service participated in a workshop titled: "Basic Concepts of
Plant Breeding and It's Application to Management of Genetic Resources". Dr. Linda
Wessel-Beaver taught the course.
2007 Summer Intern Program: Seven students from the University of
Puerto Rico at Mayaguez spent three months at North Dakota State
University in Fargo working on research projects in the Departments of
Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology.
Sigma Xi Poster Day (April 2007): Undergraduate student Robert McPhail Medina,
Department of Crop Protection (shown with Dr. José Carlos Rodrígues to right)
presented his research on mechanical inoculation techniques for zucchini yellow mosaic virus
Cinco Días Con Nuestra Tierra Agricultural Fair (March 2007): students visiting our
information booth learn about how new tomato and pumpkin varieties are developed
Undergraduate Research Projects (Spring Semester 2007): María Vasquez,
Department of Agronomy and Soils compared Cucurbita pepo and Cucurbita moschata
genotypes for there potential use as baby gourmet squash.
Spring 2007 School Visit: Middle school students learn about the origins of crops and
the beginning of plant breeding
