Measuring Impact

Research that works for developing countries and Australia

 

Biological control of "mile-a-minute" (Mikania micrantha) in Papua New Guinea and Fiji

Project ID:
PC/2004/064
Collaborating Countries:
Fiji, Papua New Guinea
Project Locations
Commissioned Organisation:
Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Australia
Project Leader
Dr Michael Day
Phone: 07 3405 5530
Fax: 07 3405 5551
Email: Michael.Day@dpi.qld.gov.au
Collaborating Institutions:
  • Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Fiji
  • Ministry of Agriculture, Sugar and Land Resettlement, Fiji
  • National Agricultural Research Institute, Papua New Guinea
  • Oil Palm Research Association, Papua New Guinea
  • Papua New Guinea Cocoa and Coconut Institute, Papua New Guinea
Project Budget:
$579,018
Project Duration:
01/01/2006 - 31/12/2008
Project Extension:
01/01/2009 - 30/06/2009
ACIAR Research Program Manager
Dr T K Lim
Project Overview

Food production, both of estate crops (sugarcane, vanilla, cocoa, coconuts, banana, coffee, kava and palm oil) and in food gardens (taro, papaya and green vegetables) is important for smallholder incomes. This is particularly the case in Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Samoa. Two species of weeds, 'mile-a-minute' and 'giant sensitive plant' threaten these enterprises. Both are invasive weeds, widespread through each country, and capable of smothering food crops. Yields can be significantly reduced, affecting food security. Manual and chemical controls are too expensive for most farmers. Biological control, established through the identification and release of natural weed predators will be evaluated, based on known agents trialled or in use elsewhere.
The Secretariat of the Pacific Community has also set up a project website at http://www.spc.int/lrd/mikania/.

Project Progress Reports
Year One

Should be no more than 750 words. Please note that the progress summary will be made publicly available on ACIAR's website and in other communication materials. Do not include any commercially- or institutionally- sensitive material in this summary (this information should be included in 4.7).

The summary should focus on key activities and results obtained during the year under review. For each Subproject and/or Objective show and comment on what has been achieved (during reporting period).

Append any detailed reports on project activities done for other purposes. These will not be released.
All project personnel were appointed or assigned. Jonacani Ratutini (Project Technical Officer) & Livai Vakatikati (Labourer) were appointed by the Fiji, Ministry of Agriculture; Sarah Pene (Technical Officer) was appointed by SPC and Ingu Bofeng (Scientist) was appointed by NARI, PNG.

The biocontrol rearing laboratory at Koronivia Research Station (KRS) in Fiji was upgraded prior to project commencement for host-screening and mass rearing work. Twenty cages were constructed in Australia and shipped to Fiji.

A workshop was conducted at the KRS in July, with participants from SPC, Ministry of Agriculture and Qld Natural Resources and Water. All aspects of the project were discussed including budgets, activities, milestones and reporting.

A database has been established and the distribution of mikania in PNG and Fiji is being recorded. Surveys and herbarium records suggest that there are over 150 sites in Fiji and nearly 50 in PNG where mikania is present. It is estimated that there are many more sites than this and the database will continually be updated as staff locate more sites through surveys or through the awareness program. Monitoring sites to assess growth rates and percent cover of mikania prior to releasing agents were established at three sites on Viti Levu (Nadi, Koronivia Research Station and Naduruloulou Research Station); one site at Vuma village on Ovalau Island and one site at the Taveuni Coconut Center (TCC) on Taveuni Island. Assessments are being conducted on a monthly basis.

Mikania plants and 35 species of host testing plants were propagated and are being maintained in the nursery area at KRS. The butterflies Actinote anteas & Actinote thalia pyrrha were imported into the quarantine unit at KRS. Dr Roch Desmier de Chenon from Indonesia hand carried the agents and supplied training to SPC and KRS staff. The colony of A. anteas was lost after two generations. Host testing of A. thalia pyrrha has now commenced, with three species now tested.

The host-specificity screening of the 3rd biological control agent the rust Puccinia spegazzinii has been completed by CABI in the UK. The rust failed to develop on all plants except M. micrantha from Fiji and PNG suggesting that the rust is safe for importation. An Import Risk Analysis to support an Application for Import was completed and submitted to the Fiji Quarantine and Inspection Service in November 2006. A decision is pending.

Warea Orapa and Michael Day attended the 7th International Workshop on Management of Chromolaena odorata and Mikania micrantha at the National University of Pingtung, Taiwan. A joint poster was presented, as well as project and country reports. A project meeting with Carol Ellison from CABI was also held to discuss the work on the rust.

Year Two

There has been steady progress on the project in some areas. However, there have been some obstacles encountered which have severely impacted on the project. There have been some changes to project staff with key personnel leaving. This has resulted in a reduction of momentum and capacity. Staff have now been appointed but some training is required. Most infrastructure work has now been completed. Quarantine upgrades have been conducted in Fiji and PNG. However, minor work is still required at NARI, Kerevat, and PNG before approval of the facility is granted. The approval for the importation and field release of the rust in PNG is dependent on the satisfactory upgrade of the quarantine. Shade houses have been constructed in WNB by PNGOPRA and at SPC in Fiji.
Growth studies have been conducted in Fiji and PNG, showing mikania can grow over 1 m per month. Impact studies have been completed in Fiji and in some parts of PNG. Communication problems with the regions have impacted on this activity. There is excellent data on the distribution of mikania in Fiji, with it being found on all major islands and affecting a wide range of land uses. There is good data on its distribution in PNG in two provinces but little is know of its distribution elsewhere.
Actinote spp. was imported into Fiji several times and host testing commenced. Unfortunately a culture could not be maintained. A decision to re-import will be made depending on whether approval is granted to import and field release the rust in Fiji. An application to import and field release Actinote spp. in PNG is being prepared.
Host testing of the rust Puccinia spegazzinii was completed by CABI Europe-UK under contract. The rust was host specific and an application to import the rust into quarantine at SPC, Fiji was approved. However, approval to field release the rust into Fiji has not been granted. Several workshops have been held and support from various groups has been received. It appears that Fiji Quarantine is not prepared to sign the approval at this stage. An application to import and field the rust in PNG has been submitted and approval is pending the satisfactory upgrade of the quarantine facility at NARI, Kerevat, and PNG.
Workshops involving project staff were not conducted due to logistical problems. However, meetings were held with project staff in Fiji and PNG to discuss project objectives, activities and responsibilities. Future meetings will need to be held to assist new staff with project activities.