Verification was performed by an independent party, namely the University of Hawaii. Area specific herbicide use reductions, use of cover crops, use of improved application methods such as injection systems, and the registration of safer alternatives. Cover crop trials have been difficult to manage. Drought situation experienced in Hawaii have made irrigation a requirement for inter-cycle cover crops. Double bed wide plastic mulch is being implemented by several of the member companies.
Injection systems are in the process of being phased into field scale production.
Goal and Milestone have been evaluated successfully as potential replacement for Hyvar X in the pre-plant herbicide mix. Second round of efficacy data are under way. Progress on 1999 Activity 3 Use biotechnology to develop nematode resistant and mealy bug wilt resistant pineapple plants. A strategy for achieving nematode resistance was developed. Genetic cassettes have been produced and transformation trials are under way.