Seed production is in progress for a number of crops. Seed was harvested of bora and cucumber. Food Crops Five banana and two plantain accessions were added to the germplasm collection bringing the total number of accessions to 33. Mutagenic treatment of plantain was done in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency. During 1997, a total of 1147 plantlets was produced in this trial.
Studies are in progress to screen plantlets for moko disease on farmers plots.
Five chemicals were evaluated for the management of leaf minor Liriomyza sp. on legumes. Soils and the Environment Work is being done on soil and land use surveys, management of aquatic weeds and soil management. Results should provide information on the soil resources of these areas. A land evaluation exercise was conducted of the Lima Sands area on the Essequibo Coast. Recommendations were made for management of these soils.