T-STAR (Tropical and Subtropical Agriculture Research) is a special grant program explicitly for research that enhances the development of sound tropical and subtropical agricultural practices including value-added product development and the control of diseases, insects, weeds, and invasive species.
The projects funded will serve aquaculture and papaya farmers as well as work toward the preservation of an endemic cycad species .
Hui Gong, an aquaculture researcher with WPTRC, was awarded $186,960 for a genetic variability study of specific pathogen free (SPF) Pacific white shrimp, Penaeus vannamei, through developing a panel of species-specific microsatellite genetic markers. Says Dr. Gong, “The long term research objective is to establish a medium-scale, effective genetic selection program of P. vannamei on Guam to support the development and expansion of shrimp aquaculture in the Western Pacific region.”
“WPTRC scientists in partnership with USDA continue to keep the needs of farmers and the ecosystems of Guam and the region on their research agendas. UOG researchers have a stellar track record with T-STAR administrators,” says Greg Wiecko, associate director of WPTRC.
