ACP-EU PROJECT YEAR 1 PROGRESS AND UPDATE EuropeAid-ACP/2010/ Jai Gawander Sugar Research Institute of Fiji 3-4 April 2012

Project title A comparative study of family and individual mass selection methods as early selection criteria and noblisation of Erianthus species. Contract Signed10/12/2010 Funds Received27/04/2011

PROJECT YR 1 – setting up infrastructure for project 1. SRIF purchased land to set up the breeding plots at Dobuilevu, Fiji and construct the crossing shed (CS) for the project. Delays: land lease transfer (still pending) 2. Tender for construction of Crossing Shed Locally advertised Negotiated and awarded at F$150k Agreement signed (26/01/2012) Delays due to weather

PROJECT YR 1- purchase of equipment 1. Spectracane: approval granted and initial payment made on 3/2/ Germination chamber and seed drying facility: advertised (ISJ) awaiting for approval from Brussels to waiver the rule of nationality and origin. 3. Weighing trailer: design stage completed and quotes are needed. 4. Equipment ordered in late March.

PROJECT YR 1 – import of varieties. 15 varieties from Bureau of Sugarcane Experiment Station (BSES) in Australia. 10 varieties from Mauritius Sugar Industry Research Institute (MSIRI). Planted in open quarantine after year to be transferred to breeding plots

Project Yr 1 - training Set-up a prototype family trial Seedlings from 2009 & 2010 crosses used. Attachment for two staff from SRIF at BSES to observe and discuss family selection. Actual project to be done in 2012 using bi- parental crosses. Bi-parental crosses depend on successful completion of crossing shed prior to crossing season (late April to mid June)

Project Yr 1 - training Initial training provided by Dr Mac Hogarth on family selection. Statistical design and skeleton ANOVA were discussed and several staff trained. Two more statistics course at SRIF as part of Institute's ongoing training program by Dr D Morton.

Project Yr 1 - training Discussions are underway with BSES for a biometrician to provide training in statistics and use of statistic software “ASReml” for SRIF staff to be able to use and understand the BLUP (Best Linear Unbiased Predictors) system streamlined for sugarcane early selection.

Project Yr 1 – Research activities Established prototype RCBD trial - 4 replicates using seedling from 2009 & 2010 crosses. 50 families - with each replicate having 1000 seedlings planted in March 2011 Each rep 25 rows of 24 m length 20 seedlings from each family at a spacing of 60cm apart 8 stalk from each family taken at random for biochemical analysis

Project Yr 1 – Research activities Each family from each replication was weighed, in PLANT CROP. 40% families selected on %pocs and yields based on 4 groups (20 families). Gr1-good %pocs and ylds Gr2 –good %pocs lower ylds Gr 3- low %pocs and good yld Gr4 marginal %pocs and ylds From RATOON CROP this year 8,6,4,2 seedlings per group per family per replicate will be selected (400 seedlings) from the ratoon crop based on brix and appearance

Project Yr 1 – Activities not carried out Could not collect germplasm due to visa issues in Burma and Vietnam and due to floods in Thailand. Purchase of weighing trailer not completed yet but would be ready before next evaluation of stage 1. BLUP training strategically delayed

SUPPORT  Excellent support from BSES, Australia and MSIRI, Mauritius.  Swift guidance provided from Coordination Unit, by Mr Jean Cyril Dagiller in administrative and not administrative activities.  Unrestrained assistance provided by Dr. Mac Hogarth and Dr. Krishnamurthi.  Timely and useful recommendations and guidance rendered by SAG during their recent visit to Fiji.

ONE MAJOR PROBLEM  ISOLATED ISLAND NATION LIKE FIJI HAS MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH “RULE OF ORIGIN AND NATIONALITY” DUE TO THE FACT THAT WE ARE ISOLATED FROM MAJOR EUROPEAN MARKETS – getting contacts, service issues, time factor etc  THIS PROBLEM IS DELAYING THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE PROJECT