In vivo screening of salinity tolerance in giant swamp taro (Cyrtosperma merkusii)

Giant Swamp Taro (Cyrtosperma merkusii) is a staple food crop in the Pacific, especially in the low lying atoll islands such as Tuvalu and Kiribati. This is owing to its ability to survive under poor soil conditions and harsh environments. However, as a result of the effects of climate change such as sea water inundation and intrusion into the fresh ground water lens, this crop is now under threat. To address this issue an adaption approach was taken whereby, Cyrtosperma merkusii was screened in vivo for salt tolerance. The epistemology followed random selection of two cultivars Ikaraoi and Katutu. These two cultivars were subjected to 0% (0 parts per trillion), 0.5% (5 ppt), 1% (10 ppt), 1.5% (15 ppt) and 2% (20 ppt) of salt in Yates’s advance seedling common potting mix. Both cultivars were able to tolerate salinity levels up-to 5ppt which is significantly more than the salt tolerance in glycophytes of 2.83 ppt. This research provides an insight into the variation of salt tolerance that may exist in C.merkusii gene pool, which can be used to adapt to natural disasters and buffer its impacts

The Online Mathematics Diagnostic Test at USP: A Tool to Identify Numeracy Gap

The Curriculum - Bridging gap between secondary level education and tertiary level is a major problem which is always unnoticed by many Universities. The Faculty of Science Technology and Environment at the University of the South Pacific has designed an Online Mathematics Diagnostic Test (OMDT) for all its first year undergraduate students to bridge the gap in areas of Mathematics. Many universities issue mathematical diagnostic tests to incoming first-year students, covering a range of basic concepts which the students are supposed to bring with them from their secondary school of studies. It provides an early indication of which students are likely to need additional help (online remedial), and hopefully encourage such students to take advantage of extra support mechanisms at an early stage before the hardcore university studies begins. However, it is not clear that students recognize these intentions and there is a fear that students who score poorly in the test will have their confidence further damaged in relation to mathematics and will be reluctant to seek help. Thus this paper showcases the extend of OMDT designed for new students at USP and the offering of remedial through the eLearning Platform with the detailed analysis of the research carried out with its implementation

Assessment of sugarcane varieties for their stability and yield potential in Fiji

The Sugar Research Institute of Fiji breeds and produces new varieties of sugarcane for the Fiji sugar industry for commercial production. The development of sugar cane varieties that show superior performance in different environments is a major challenge for breeders due to the response of genotypes across environments. This study was to evaluate the relative performance the genotypes during breeding program and identify promising ones that could be released for cultivation. Thus, an investigation was carried out to determine the magnitude of Genotype Environment interactions and the stability analysis of the genotypes cultivated in Fiji. Seventeen genotypes including three commercial varieties were evaluated in five locations using a randomized block design with three replications. The pooled analysis of variance carried out for the effect of environments, genotypes, and their interactions. The stability analysis was also performed using the Eberhart & Russell’s (1966) model. Further, a cluster analysis was proposed for identifying the similar and stable genotypes. The results showed that there were highly significant (p < 0.001) variations among the genotypes (G), environments (E) and GE interactions. Two genotypes LF82-2122 and LF60-3917 had higher yield and stability statistics for the two most important traits: cane and sugar yields. Thus, the genotypes can be recommended for adoption and cultivation on all soil types in Fiji

Are students studying in the online mode faring as well as students studying in the face - to - face mode? Has equivalence in learning been achieved?

With the shift in pedagogy from learning in the traditional classroom setting (face-to face mode) to online learning, it is important to find out how students are faring in the online mode and if equivalence in learning is achieved in the two modes. To answer these questions, the course results of students studying a first year undergraduate mathematics course in the two different modes at The University of the South Pacific were compared. The study revealed that there was no statistical significant difference in the pass rates of the students studying in the two modes but the students studying in the online mode had a significantly higher attrition rate. From the results, it was also discovered that students studying via the online mode achieved higher coursework marks but lower exam marks compared to students studying via the face to-face mode. Yet the students’ total marks in the two modes were similar, which led to the conclusion that students studying in the online mode are faring just as well as students studying in the face-to-face mode. It was evident that equivalent learning was occurring in the two modes albeit in different ways. The coursework assessments methods in the two modes were also compared

Effects of foliar application of gibberellic acid, boric acid and sucrose on noni (M. citrifolia L.) fruit growth and quality

Noni juice processing industry depends explicitly on the quality of noni fruits and its juice together with increased production of fruits. This study evaluated the effects of chemical treatments on noni’s fruiting capacity, fruit yield and the fruit antioxidant properties. Noni plants in fruiting stage were foliar fed with boric acid (BA) at a concentration of 100 ppm or 200 ppm, gibberellic acid (GA3) at 20 ppm or 40 ppm and sucrose solution at 5 or 20% and water (control). Changes in fruiting numbers, fruit growth rates, fruit yield, total soluble solids (TSS), fruit antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content of fruits were determined after the foliar treatments. Fruiting, fruit growth rate and yield were significantly increased in BA, GA3 and sucrose treated plants when compared to the control treatment. Fruit TSS, antioxidant capacity and total phenol content were not affected. Sucrose 20% and BA treatments (100 ppm and 200 ppm) produced the highest fruit yields

Seasonal abundance and host plants of coconut stick insect (Graeffea crouanii Le Guillou) in coconut plantations of Fiji islands

Field survey conducted in major coconut growing regions in the three Fiji islands viz., Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, and Taveuni, revealed the presence of only one pest species of stick insect, Graeffea crouanii. Temperature had a significant effect on the level of infestation in the farms surveyed, while the effect of rainfall and humidity on the infestation was insignificant. Severe infestation was observed in isolated pockets, and the pest distribution was discontinuous in the surveyed areas. On a damage scale index, the insect infestation on coconut palms ranged from 0 to 4 grades. The peak increase of G. crouanii populations was from November to April in wet season at each of the three hotspots: Namaumada (Viti Levu), Dawara (Vanua Levu), and Salialevu (Taveuni). The occurrence of G. crouanii at varying damage levels in the present study may be attributed to the presence of sparse coconut palms in isolated coconut plantations. The field survey identified many alternate host plants of G. crouanii in the two plant families viz., Arecaceae and Pandanaceae. The information on the seasonal abundance and infestation levels of G. crouanii and its alternate host plants are discussed in formulating location-specific pest management strategies

Photosynthetic rate and biochemical composition of green algae Ulva flexuosa (Wulfen) J. Agardh as potential indicators of environmental stress in the intertidal zones

Photosynthetic rate and biochemical composition total chlorophyll (TC), total soluble protein (TSP) and total soluble carbohydrates (TSC) were determined for Ulva flexuosa, a green marine algae collected from Nasese, Lami and Laucala Beach areas in Suva, Fiji Islands. Ulva flexuosa from Laucala Beach area had the highest photosynthetic rates, TC and TSP content, while algae from Nasese area had the highest amount of TSC. Algae from Lami area had the lowest amount of photosynthesis rate, TC, TSP and TSC. High photosynthetic rate and biochemical content were mainly due to the presence of high levels of nitrogen in the area. Algae thrived in Laucala Beach and Nasese area where nitrogen content was high. Low photosynthetic rate and biochemical composition were recorded in algae from the Lami area, which was apparently the most polluted area. It appeared that conditions in Lami area were intolerable to U. flexuosa. Algae collected from the three sites differed in the measured parameters with respect to the differences in the pH, temperature and nitrogen levels indicating that physiological responses of algae could be used as indicators to monitor the environmental quality of the intertidal zones