Coordination and Implementation of an IPM Program in Puerto Rico

• Project Short Name - IPM 2017
• Funding - NIFA
• Principal Investigators: Wanda Almodóvar (PI), Co-PI's: Dania Rivera, Ada Alvarado, Jaime Curbelo, Martha Giraldo, Manuel Díaz and José Zamora
• Location of Project: Agricultural Extension Service (island wide)
• Web page: PascuasPR
• Specialty Crops: Floriculture Project Goals (Rivera's collaboration)
  • Our main goal is to increase ornamental plant growers’ knowledge on IPM and Best Management Practices (BPM) which can result in reduction of pesticides use. The objectives of this portion of the proposal are the following: (1) Gather island wide information and data through a survey to poinsettia plant growers related to current patterns of pesticide use, pesticide use safety, IPM and BMP knowledge. (2) Prepare educational materials to train personnel and growers about IPM and BMP, (3) Prepare and publish Pest Alert and fact sheets about IPM and BMP and (4) Measure the increase of knowledge in IPM and BMP.

Forestry Innovation Laboratory and Learning Institute (FILLI):

Using hurricane Maria’s lessons and opportunities to support long-term sustainable forestry industry in Puerto Rico

• Project Short Name - H-489
• Funding - Hatch Regional Project
• Principal Investigators: Mario Flores Mangual (PI), Co-PI's: Oscar Abelleira, Dania Rivera, Collaborators: Nelson Cardona, Bryant Scharenbroch
• Location of Project: Agricultural Experiment Station: Corozal
• Web page: Laboratorio Forestal
• General goals of the project:

Plant Production Systems, Genetic Resources and Breeding in Citrus Plants

• Project Short Name - H94Q
• Funding - Hatch Regional Project
• Principal Investigators: Rebecca Tirado Corbalá (PI 2018 - present), Co-PI's: Dania Rivera (Former PI - 2014-2018), Alejandro Segarra, Elva C. Estévez
• Location of Project: Agricultural Experiment Stations: Corozal, Isabela, Adjuntas
• General goals of the project:

1. To conserve citrus genetic resources and associated information;
2. To develop and apply new or improved evaluation procedures and marker-based approaches to assess diversity of genetic resources in existing citrus collections;
3. To evaluate citrus materials within our citrus collections for useful traits, such as:
   1. their adaptability to local production conditions (e.g., microclimate, soils);
   2. their responses to new and improved orchard management techniques;
   3. their fruit quality and desirable market characteristics; and
   4. their susceptibility to new and emerging plant pest and disease threats (e.g. Huanglongbing (HLB) and citrus tristeza virus (CTV).
4. To transfer technology to researchers and plant breeders in the Southern Region and worldwide in the form of plant genetic resources and associated information.

Production of Healthy Citrus Plants in Puerto Rico

• Project short name - H451 (2014-2018)
• Funding - Hatch Regional Project
• Principal Investigators: Elva C. Estévez (PI), Co-PI's: Dania Rivera, Fernando Gallardo
• Location of Project : Agricultural Experiment Stations: Corozal, Juana Díaz, Adjuntas
• Project Goals (Rivera's collaboration)

1. Evaluate different container types, sizes and combinations of media and fertilizer to improve root mass of citrus rootstocks to accelerate growth of citrus rootstock calipers and graft the cultivars sooner than traditional production.
2. Compare the utilization of staking and grafting techniques to speed up scion growth on citrus rootstocks.

Facilitating Registration of Pest Management Technology for Specialty Crops and Specialty Uses

• Project short name - H372 (2014-2018)
• Funding - Hatch Regional Project
• Principal Investigators: Wilfredo Robles (PI), Co-PI's: Dania Rivera, Merari Feliciano, María de L. Lugo, Jose A. Chavarria
• Project Website
• Location of Project : Agricultural Experiment Stations: Corozal, Adjuntas, Gurabo
• Project Objectives (Rivera's collaboration)

1. To continue updating pesticides information and making them available to the public by means of web-based system tool and workshops.

Development of phytosanitary protocols to the management of plant material at the DRNA nurseries

• Project short name - Z285 (2015-2016)
• Principal Investigators: Merari Feliciano (PI), Co-PI's: Dania Rivera, Ada Alvarado
• Location of Project : Agricultural Experiment Stations: Corozal, Isabela, Mayaguez
• Project Objectives

1. To improve phytosanitary practices in plant nurseries managed by the DNER.
2. To increase the knowledge of the Forest Health Project Leader and nursery personnel in monitoring and management of pest and pathogens.
3. To promote public education on Forest health (pest and plant diseases).